tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post3720939042670849502..comments2024-03-19T18:17:56.821-04:00Comments on Colonial Quills: The Curious Life of Historical Fiction WritersCarrie Fancett Pagelshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09096954464239963966noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-24919375934846658062012-05-10T03:22:27.658-04:002012-05-10T03:22:27.658-04:00Wow, I never would have guessed it took 23 years t...Wow, I never would have guessed it took 23 years to build that house! Thanks for this post. I have heard a lot from MaryLu about writing, but it's always great to hear about it from a different perspective :)Sarah McBridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10470227798668069034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-21894828146978496862012-05-03T12:58:43.427-04:002012-05-03T12:58:43.427-04:00Well, Lori, you're just going to have to make ...Well, Lori, you're just going to have to make a trip out here. Paul and I will take you on a tour.Rita Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348571506318182955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-30076069356447157492012-05-03T12:55:44.236-04:002012-05-03T12:55:44.236-04:00I love Virginia and West Virginia, Janet. One of m...I love Virginia and West Virginia, Janet. One of my favorite places is Harpers Ferry. There is an overlook where the old hotel is that looks down into the gorge where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge that's awesome. My favorite author from the Old Dominion is Mary Johnston.Rita Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348571506318182955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-19052174580818329552012-05-02T21:16:56.736-04:002012-05-02T21:16:56.736-04:00I'd written much the same thing in my comment ...I'd written much the same thing in my comment before reading yours, MaryLu. Sigh. I could kick myself for not being as interested in the 18th century during the 20-odd years I was growing up in Maryland as I am now living in Oregon.Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-25237561399717646822012-05-02T21:14:48.449-04:002012-05-02T21:14:48.449-04:00I so enjoyed reading this, Rita. Such kindred soul...I so enjoyed reading this, Rita. Such kindred souls. I love writing historical fiction and feel blessed that it's my passion. Always feel an ache of longing though, when I read you east coast dwellers talking about the historic sites just a stone's throw from where you live and move and have your being. :)Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-9436632309074463762012-05-02T19:15:57.952-04:002012-05-02T19:15:57.952-04:00You HOPE I will read them? I have to, Rita! lolYou HOPE I will read them? I have to, Rita! lolDiana Flowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17127629740742628849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-292920390220724842012-05-02T18:27:55.162-04:002012-05-02T18:27:55.162-04:00I could truly connect with your post, Rita. I'...I could truly connect with your post, Rita. I've loved the many years I've lived in Virginia partially because I've enjoyed observing so many historical sites throughout the Old Dominion.Janet Grunsthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03635290708361600803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-47596325520092355332012-05-02T18:16:13.186-04:002012-05-02T18:16:13.186-04:00Diana, thank you! You are one of those people that...Diana, thank you! You are one of those people that are at the top of my encourager list! You always have something uplifting to say, and I always appreciate it. I hope you read the next two books in the series. They were challenging to write, being from the pov of Darcy in book 2 and Sarah in book 3. I'm working on an Edwardian series and waiting for a contract to come through.Rita Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348571506318182955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-68384854738899574612012-05-02T17:10:51.660-04:002012-05-02T17:10:51.660-04:00Rita, I live in a place that is obviously rich in ...Rita, I live in a place that is obviously rich in history, Columbia, SC, and Charleston, which is about an hour and 1/2 away. But I don't look at these historical places and have the deep thoughts about them as you do. Occasionally. It's so obvious that you look at buildings and such and imagine all sorts of things about them, b/c out of all the authors and books that I have read, your Diana Flowershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17127629740742628849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-73974292061960000662012-05-02T12:23:43.971-04:002012-05-02T12:23:43.971-04:00On a side note: I am blessed to live in an area ri...On a side note: I am blessed to live in an area rife with history. Down the street from me it is said General Braddock camped with his men during the French and Indian War...though the place is not marked. From my backyard I can see Braddock Mountain.<br />When my agent Barb Scott, my then editor at Abingdon Press, and her husband came to visit, we took them on a tour. We toured the historical Rita Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348571506318182955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-88994515495690337352012-05-02T12:21:09.401-04:002012-05-02T12:21:09.401-04:00You will just have to come back here and conduct s...You will just have to come back here and conduct some research and have Paul as your driver. It was great fun touring Fort McHenry with you.Rita Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348571506318182955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-6075145864994776102012-05-02T12:15:16.019-04:002012-05-02T12:15:16.019-04:00Oh, Susan, that is a heart-wrenching story. I reme...Oh, Susan, that is a heart-wrenching story. I remember hearing about it and that he was called 'The Swamp Fox'.Rita Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348571506318182955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-80335768522496091892012-05-02T11:28:05.329-04:002012-05-02T11:28:05.329-04:00What a nice post, Rita. Being a 60's child, so...What a nice post, Rita. Being a 60's child, sometimes when I enter a historic place, I say that I feel "vibes"; almost like a chill as a sense of the past flows over me. I contribute my love of history to my seventh grade South Carolina History teacher who brought the past alive for me and made me realize that learning history was not just about memorizing names,dates, places,and Susan Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922171469364860239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-52643330641050530732012-05-02T11:24:11.809-04:002012-05-02T11:24:11.809-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Susan Crafthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00922171469364860239noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-37946140764427018082012-05-02T10:41:48.483-04:002012-05-02T10:41:48.483-04:00I'm jealous, Rita. Living out here on the West...I'm jealous, Rita. Living out here on the West Coast, we don't have many historical buildings and if we do, they date from the early 20th century. Of course there are the Spanish Missions, which are pretty interesting. Most of the time I have to use my imagination for my stories! Or pictures I find.. or memories from the few times I've traveled out east on research trips. Thanks for MaryLu Tyndallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03627854450199870544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-15126521447678769962012-05-02T09:57:44.873-04:002012-05-02T09:57:44.873-04:00After I wrote this post, I read an article in my l...After I wrote this post, I read an article in my local newspaper about a manor house, Park Hall, being torn down by the landowner without permits. The land was surveyed in 1750 and the house built around 1870. The demolition was halted, but no news on what is to happen to this beautiful brick manor house. Frederick County, MD where I live is dedicated to the preservation of its historical places.Rita Gerlachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04348571506318182955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-28391938365468781492012-05-02T06:41:17.689-04:002012-05-02T06:41:17.689-04:00I see so many old barns falling down around where ...I see so many old barns falling down around where we live. The cost to repair them is more than most people can afford. But I hate to see them gone. They are such a part of our history.Pegg Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17113756304449398701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-63959288565742960192012-05-02T04:41:01.892-04:002012-05-02T04:41:01.892-04:00Lovely post, Rita, and spot-on for the mind of a w...Lovely post, Rita, and spot-on for the mind of a writer! You are surrounded by so much history. That in itself can spark the vivid imagination. But it truly is the lives and expressions of those around us that feed the hearts of our characters. Thanks for a great post!Elaine Marie Cooperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10433520113422863255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-41080460728129952642012-05-02T00:49:23.938-04:002012-05-02T00:49:23.938-04:00Not sure why the time for this comment says 9:46 p...Not sure why the time for this comment says 9:46 pm. It is 11:48 now. Strange.Kate S (4readin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03311476103331480075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-40239009081932013152012-05-02T00:46:28.840-04:002012-05-02T00:46:28.840-04:00I agree, the strangest things will spark ideas and...I agree, the strangest things will spark ideas and inspiration in my mind. A stone wall, an old run down shed, a dormer in a historic home, an older woman walking contentedly down the aisle of Wal Mart - I wonder what story lies beneath each one. Old newspaper are amazing for inspiration and ideas, as are magazines and pictures. So many stories to tell!Gabrielle Meyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12479898337766911768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3139112422565969072.post-61497813686748799722012-05-02T00:46:22.434-04:002012-05-02T00:46:22.434-04:00I agree! What a shame to see historical building ...I agree! What a shame to see historical building come to ruin! They should be preservedd and honored.<br /><br />The life of a writer is unique. Being inspired by different things, watching shows and movies differently, pondering past events and things, and wondering how it can/will fit into your own story.<br /><br />Thanks!Kate S (4readin)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03311476103331480075noreply@blogger.com