For some folks the words CLIMATE CHANGE are a rousing call to arms. That’s not my intent in this post. I’m not interested in the pros or cons of current political clashes concerning the causes and effects of mankind’s contribution to the warming — or the cooling — of the earth. (I was a college…
Last fall my husband dug up a bit of what he calls “gumbo” and what area potters call “Pickford clay.” I ran a few Facebook posts about it as I tempered it with sand and molded it into a sort-of cup. My attempts are far from being good work, but the process helped me understand…
In my current novel (Working title: HORSES OF THE WEST SUN, previously BONE FIRE), I based the houses of the River People on the rectangular, semi-subterranean dwellings used by the Dudeşti people who settled in what is now Romania during the sixth millennium B.C. These houses are built to endure rain and cold weather. By…
My current manuscript (the first book of the BONE FIRE Duet) is set more than 7,000 years ago in the Wallachian Plains of Eastern Europe (now part of Romania). My main male character is Jorn the Word Singer. One of the primary decisions I had to make as I wrote about Jorn involved the words…
Welcome to the launch of my monthly blog post about the research behind my books. Allow me to begin with an apologetic…. The twenty-first century is a precarious time to write novels set in any prehistoric era. The development of archaeogenetics and genetic anthropology has sent many cherished theories to the boneyard. (Pardon the pun,…
So early in the morning, we bid farewell to our sweet little room on the Viking Ship Jarl. We board a bus and begin our trip through the countryside on the way to Romania’s capital city of Bucharest. One of our stops includes the Village Museum, with authentic dwellings from various areas of Romania. Have…
Our bags are packed for an early departure in the morning from the Viking River Ship Jarl. To ease the sadness of good-byes, our last dinner on board is an adventure in itself, and especially delights the palate. (Or like we would say at home, Wow that’s good!) Here’s the menu: For my appetizer, I…
What better way to enjoy a journey than in the company of friends! In a ship-full of people – including passengers (about 200 on this cruise) plus the crew and performers – you meet so many interesting folks. With most of our fellow passengers, we met for only a dinner meal or perhaps on a…
To me, the research for any novel seems like giant treasure hunt, and I’m energized by discovery. I love fleshing out a scene with small bits of information and visual imagery. To do that, I often rely on on-site photos. However, anyone who has seen my photos in this series can tell that photography is…
Our port city in Bulgaria is Vidin, and our tour today includes a visit to the Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress. On our way! (Photo from the bus window.) The red Rocks of Belogradshick were formed by weathering and erosion. They extend for more than 18 miles, are 650 feet high and about 1 mile wide….
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