Life in Indiana in 1930s

In my research, I stumbled upon this interesting website called Only in Your State and one of its pages shows what life was like in Indiana in the 1930's. Of course that grabbed my attention because of my Great Depression novel. So if you're curious as to what life was like for my heroine, or perhaps you want to know what life was like for your grandparents and great-grandparents, check it out!

Click here.

Home Away From Home

Yesterday my family and I gathered to celebrate my aunt's birthday down at the old house in the country. This house was the house my maternal grandfather and his family built in the 1920's/1930's. The story goes that they had bought fifty acres worth of land and the family of nine lived in there through out the Great Depression and into the 1950's. By then most of the children had moved out, married and started their own families.

Art tends to imitate life. The old house wound up in my Great Depression novel. My heroine lives there after she marries her husband. Many of my grandfather's tales of Prairieton and Prairie Creek are also featured in there. Hopefully my story has done the house and the past justice.

Now What?

Okay, so, I’ve completed another draft on the Great Depression novel. It was a small one; just some minor suggestions that my sister gave me. This is quite possibly the longest thing I have ever written. Maybe too long… not quite sure about that. It’s not ready for an agent to look at. This WIP needs a few more drafts, at least. Polishing, mostly. Of course I’m at a loss as to what to do with it now. Fleshing out, character development, back stories, historical facts- that is never my problem. It’s cutting the unnecessary scenes and whatnot. I never know what is not needed.

Once upon a time, I belonged to a writer’s workshop…for senior citizens. I was an honorary senior citizen at twelve years old. It was a family affair, really. My aunt led the group and she invited me to join, then my grandmother started to attend. One time a cousin of ours visited. I think my Mom and sister sat in on one of the meetings. It was great; I learned a lot from the women and men there. Some of the stories they told inspired this novel (they were part of the Greatest Generation). Now, my sister and a friend of mine reads my various projects and they offer great critiques. For the most part I’m skittish about showing anyone my WIP’s. I worry that they’ll think I’m odd or strange or nuts for writing this or that. Or worse, they may not like it at all and like many writers, I take criticism personally.

But with the Great Depression story, I want to show my friends and family and get their feedback. Perhaps because many of them inspired this story too. They had a hand in it without knowing it. Still, it’s frightening to be so public about a project of mine, because there is always that underlying fear that the agents and/or the publishers won’t want it. Then I’ll be embarrassed for talking up this story.

Sometimes being a writer just plain sucks.

“I hate writing, I love having written.” Dorothy Parker. 

Long Time, No See

It’s been awhile since I updated this blog. I got busy with the holidays and then catching up, and then with writing. I’ve completed my second draft on the Great Depression novel and am letting it sit for a bit before I tackle it again. Not really sure where to go from here; it needs more drafts to be sure. And I am trying to prepare for the next WIP. It’s a never-ending, vicious circle.

One of the subjects in my Great Depression WIP is abusive marriages. Not to give away too much, due to desperate times, my heroine is married off young to a man much older than she is. Then the marriage becomes abusive. It happened back then, it still happens today. Unfortunately in the 1930’s – and before and long after- abused women had nowhere to turn to. Friends and family may have been well-aware of the situation, but nothing could be done really. The church offered no answers really; divorce was considered a sin by many Christians.

Indiana has an interesting history when it comes to divorce. While frowned upon by most of society – and I am sure most Hoosiers- in the 1830’s Indiana passed a bill making it easier for women to obtain a divorce and keep the children. That was monumental for the 19^th century! It was so easy to obtain a divorce in Indiana, that Heinrich Schliemann, the man who rediscovered the lost city of Troy, came here to obtain one as well. Of course while it was helpful to have such a liberal law, the majority of women did not make a beeline to the Hoosier state to free themselves of their husbands. Divorce carried a social stigma- if you were a divorced woman you were considered immoral and the blame of your failed marriage was laid at your feet. By the 1930’s divorce was too expensive that many couples opted to remain married because they could not afford to separate.

My heroine wants a divorce but various circumstances prevent her from obtaining one. Her story is partially modeled after that of a woman’s in my family. She was shackled to a violent man and was only freed through his death. While I believe in making marriage work and for better and for worse, I am grateful to live in an age where women can break away from their abusive spouses if they can. 

Strange Fruit

Lyrics: 

Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees

Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolias, sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh

Here is fruit for the crows to pluck
For the rain to gather, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop

Sort of haunting, isn’t it? That is Lady Day herself, Billie Holiday singing a long, forgotten song, called “Strange Fruit.” 

The song – which was originally a poem called “Bitter Fruit” was inspired by the lynching’s of Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith. They were two young African American men who had been accused of murder and rape in 1930. A crowd– men, women and children were all present- took them from their cells; the young men were beaten and hung. A third young man was spared the noose in the nick of time.

This sounds like a story that had taken place in the Deep South, right?

The lynching’s took place right here in Marion, Indiana.

My grandmother used to tell me that when I was researching our genealogy, that when I climbed up the family tree, beware of what might fall out of it. I think the same applies to doing research on your home state.

Indiana has a checkered past.

We Hoosiers, particularly the Quakers, were involved in the Underground Railroad and believed in abolition. Many of our young men fought for the North during the Civil War, my great-great grandfather was one of them. Yet we had some Jim Crow laws here, along with segregation. In 1924, the KKK had its rebirth here in Indiana. There are many sun down towns in Indiana- towns that do not permit African Americans or ones that do not want them around after dark. Growing up, when I watched “To Kill a Mockingbird,” my parents said that some of what went on in that movie, happened in Indiana when they were growing up.

In writing the first draft of my Indiana novel, I didn’t mention racism once. I was aware of what went on in Indiana’s past, but I didn’t think it was my place to write on a subject that I have no concept of. Also, it didn’t really fit in with my story.

Or so I thought.

However, in the last few weeks, I realize that if one writes about Indiana and the 1930’s, the racism can’t be ignored. There had to be a way for me to show what it was like in those days without trying to take advantage of someone else’s pain.

As a fan of “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Help,” I have read some critical reviews that implied some irritation that the African American characters of those novels needed help from the white characters.

What if an African American character helps my heroine, or tries to?

As much as I like the song, it won’t be featured in my novel. My story ends in 1936 and the song was sung in 1939. The point is clear: we must confess our sins and try our damnedest not to repeat them. We must do what we can to atone for our mistakes and when we leave behind the world, we must leave it behind a better place.

Deep Calls to the Deep

When Truman Capote invited Harper Lee to help him investigate it the murders of a family in Kansas, Lee described her interest by saying, “It was deep calling to deep.” From what I understand, there are a variety of meanings, one of which can mean the calling out of oneself. Sort of an unquenchable yearning. Whenever I hear this phrase I think of home… no matter where I go or how far I wander, for me there is no place like home.

With that being said, it only takes so long before an aspiring writer writes something about her home state. From 2010 to 2013 I attempted it, to write nice little Christian historical romances based in Indiana. It was a nice try and looking back I can see why it didn’t work. Those stories were based in Indiana and entertaining, but there was no realism. The characters were one dimensional and the set up was too silly for words. After that, I tried to write a couple other things, only managing to get short stories published.

But now the deep calls to the deep again… Indiana demands to be written about. These days, the novels out there based in Indiana are a laugh. The characters sound more like they are from Texas than our beloved Hoosier state.

I was lucky; I come from a family of natural-born story tellers. Both sets of my grandparents were part of the Greatest Generation. My one grandma was very open about her life, very detailed too.

So, for my two-or-so readers out there, this is what my new EPIC NOVEL is about: The Great Depression. Indiana. Prohibition. Marriage of convenience. Loss of a child.

More later. Thanks for reading.

When in Rome…

“Give thanks for the fullness of the days spent together, the friends that we pray will be with us forever, the feelings we've shared, the food and good fun, with faith that God's blessings have only begun. Amen.”- Dutch Cafe in Kokomo, Indiana

I think that sums up my recent feelings. I went to visit my Aunts’ in Kokomo last week. I wasn’t sure I could do it, anxiety-wise, but I went and had a wonderful time. Yes, there were panic attacks, but on the whole, I did really well. They showed me around their home town and I was able to bask in my love for my state.

They had a big surprise for me. I was totally clueless on what they had planned. On July 22^nd they finally told me what they had in store. We were going to Gene Stratton Porter’s home in Rome, Indiana, on Silvan Lake. 

For those unfamiliar with Porter, she is a local Hoosier author and was famous in her own right. Actually she was more than just an author. She was a naturalist, preservationist, photographer, musician, architect, etc. I had always wanted to see her Cabin in Wildflower Woods. She was an environmentalist before such a thing was popular. Porter was a woman ahead of her time. In her book, “A Girl of the Limberlost,” there is a character called the Bird Woman. Clearly she based the character on herself.

It took a couple hours to travel up there but the wait was well worth it. The wooded area near Silvan Lake was serene; the blue waters shimmered as they rippled beneath the breeze. The leaves of trees, some a couple hundred years old, rustled and birds made music for us. 

No wonder Porter loved it there. I more than wanted to lose myself in that magical place.

I was able to tour Porter’s house and discuss the author with the tour guide fairly intelligently, since I had read five of Porter’s books and a biography on her. Everything about her house paid homage to nature: the windows were perfectly situated to look out at the lake while she wrote at her desk. 

In one back room she managed a makeshift greenhouse.  Another tiny room was sealed off by itself and the window painted red, to be used solely for a dark room.

When the tour concluded, my aunt and I walked up to Porter’s monument (she shares it with her daughter) and paid our respects, then the three of us headed to the gift shop. Naturally we had to buy our share of souvenirs.

Our visit to Rome, Indiana had come to an end and we had to head back to Kokomo. We agreed that if we ever had the money, we would buy a house on the lake and move there. Until then we can only visit, possibly vacation there and daydream about it.

To see more photos of my trip to Gene Stratton Porter's Home, check out my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/veronicaleighbooks.

Sagamore of the Wabash

What is “Sagamore of the Wabash?” I had never heard of it before May 30^th. It is an award created by the state of Indiana and is the highest honor in this state. In the past, it has been bestowed upon “astronauts, presidents, ambassadors, artists, musicians, politicians, and citizens who have contributed greatly to Hoosier heritage.” For more information, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagamore_of_the_Wabash.

Since my family and I have started attending Hope of Israel, a Messianic church, a few of the members invited us to the ceremony honoring Dr. Chaim Weizmann. Who is Chaim Weizmann? He was a chemist who developed a new technique for industrial fermentation in the production of acetone. He and his associates established Commercial Solvents Corporation right here in Terre Haute, Indiana (my great-aunt actually worked there). His discovery led to the Allied victories of WWI and WWII. He was later selected to be Israel’s first president in 1948 and served until his death in 1952.

The C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Museum hosted the ceremony. Eva Mozes-Kor is one of the museums’ founders and author of the book, “Echoes of Auschwitz.” She and her sister Miriam were Holocaust survivors and were one of the many pairs of twins tested on in Auschwitz by the infamous Dr. Menegele, during WWII. She has made trips back to Auschwitz and publicly announced that she has forgiven Dr. Mengele and the Nazis for their sadistic treatment.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence, Indiana Congressman Larry Buschon and Terre Haute’s mayor Duke Bennet were present, with the governor presenting the award posthumously to Dr. Chaim Weizman.

Towards the end of Pence’s speech, he said that he had a special announcement… that Eva Mozes Kor was also a recipient of the Sagamore award! Applause was plentiful. No one deserves the award more than Kor.

I was happy to witness this historic event, even though I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Kor or any politician there (we had to leave early). Years ago, I went to the old museum and had the honor of listening to Michael Kor, Eva’s husband, speak. Since then the C.A.N.D.L.E.S. museum had to rebuild due to a fire (intentionally set), so it was nice to see how amazing this new building is. We live only a mile or so from the museum, so maybe within the next few weeks we can get over there again and look around a bit more. I did have a great chat with a gentleman who lived in Germany as a young man and escaped before it was too late. He and his family came here to America and he later served in WWII.

Until next time!

Jeff Foxworthy on Indiana…

Here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Indiana...

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you may live in
Indiana.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't even work there, you may live in Indiana.

If you've worn shorts and a jacket at the same time, you may live in Indiana.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed
a wrong number, you may live in Indiana.

If "vacation" means going anywhere south of Fort Wayne for the weekend, you may live in Indiana.

If you measure distance in hours, you may live in Indiana.

If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in
Indiana.

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back again, you may live in Indiana.

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you may live in Indiana.

If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both doors unlocked, you may live in Indiana.

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live
in Indiana.

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you may live in Indiana.

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -you're going 80 and everybody is passing you, you may live in Indiana.

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you may live in Indiana.

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road construction,
you may live in Indiana.

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you may live in Indiana.

If you find 10 degrees "a little chilly", you may live in Indiana.

If you actually understand these jokes, repost this so all of your Indiana friends and others can see,you definitely do live - or have lived - in Indiana.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I ought to update this blog more often. I have been busy, but not so much so that I can’t take ten minutes to write a blog entry.

I have submitted a query to an agent that I have yet to hear back from. I suppose that no news is good news. Had she not been interested, she would have sent a rejection right away. Either that or the e-mail was lost or disregarded altogether. Anyway, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. The wait is excruciating and has me imagining all kinds of things, both good and bad. I don’t want to set my hopes too high for fear they will come crashing down around me. I should send out some more queries, but I would really like to hear from this particular agent first. She is…unconventional. And I rather like unconventional.

While I am trying to market my finished novella, I am beginning on a new novel. This one is to be a drama, set in my beloved Indiana, primarily in 1840. I am excited. It was inspired by a subplot and two secondary characters in a novel that has already been published. Sometimes when I read a novel, I find the secondary characters far more appealing than the actual hero and heroine.

Writes of Passage

Last spring I set my epic novel on the shelf and started on two new ones, one small and one big. As it turns out the bigger one requires much more research so it must be set aside for the time being. Now I am pursuing the smaller story. At times it frustrates me. Though I generally write pieces of work that feature a romance, I would not classify myself as a romance novelist. In all honesty, I know nothing about romance and would rather tackle something a bit more challenging. And yet that is precisely the kind of story I am working on. A Christian historical romance to be exact. I have set it in my own beloved state and attempted to add some comedic elements to it. This is probably the first novel I have ever written that actually has a shot at getting published. As of late, this is what the Christian market specializes in.

Underneath all of my optimism lies a layer of insecurities. I have approached agents for representation and publishers for publication and the end result was the same: rejection. Of course the two stories I had advertised were epic novels and this one is not so epic. It’s a simplistic little novella based in a fictional town in pre-WWI Indiana. There is nothing scandalous or shocking in it and even if it is published it will probably be soon forgotten as these sorts of stories usually are.

Even if rejection is all I will ever know in my career as an author, I have to pursue my dream. It’s a compulsion for me.

I. Must. Write.

I know not how to do anything else. It is both my passion and obsession.

Winter in Indiana

I didn't write this, I found it in an e-mail. Hope all you Hoosiers out there enjoy it!

It's winter in Indiana
And the gentle breezes blow
Seventy miles an hour
At thirty-five below.

Oh, how I love Indiana
When the snow's up to your butt
You take a breath of winter
And your nose gets frozen shut.

Yes, the weather here is wonderful
So I guess I'll hang around
I could never leave Indiana
Cuz I'm frozen to the ground!

Have a great day...

Veronica Goes to Confession

1. I never wear shoes when I’m at home. In fact, I go around barefoot whenever possible.
2. I can make a strange purring sound at the back of my throat like a cat does.
3. The first time I ever kissed a boy I was seven and in the first grade. Hopefully I won’t get sued for sexual harassment. After all it was only on the cheek.
4. I can still put one of my ankles behind my head.
5. The more I study Judaism and Jewish history, the closer I feel to Jesus.
6. I’ve borrowed so many books and movies about Nazism and the Third Reich from the library, that the librarians think I’m a Nazi.
7. I love to eat peanut butter sandwiches with kosher dill pickles on the side.
8. Swing/Big Band is my favorite genre of music now.
9. My life is a cross between “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and “Little Women” with a side of “Secondhand Lions.”
10. Growing up I read too much “Sweet Valley Twins, ” “Goosebumps” and ridiculous romances that I neglected the classics. So I have to go back and read the great authors of the past.
11. Give me a good war movie or holocaust film rather than a romance any day.
12. My favorite movie is either “Little Women” with Winona Ryder or “Sophie Scholl: The Last Days” with Julia Jentsche.
13. I hope someday to write a coming of age series based in Indiana.
14. Though I love to write, I often speak with bad grammar. It’s just part of who I am.
15. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else in the world than in the Wabash Valley, Indiana.

“Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana,” by Melanie Dobson: Book of the Month

About the Author:
Melanie Dobson is the author of four novels and has a background in publicity and journalism. She grew up in a small Ohio town but now lives with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.
Read more about Melanie Dobson at www.melaniedobson.com




About the Book:
In a divided town during a dangerous era, who can be trusted?
Liberty, Indiana, is home to a stop on the Underground Railroad operated by Quaker abolitionists Anna Brent and her father. Harboring runaway slaves is a dangerous mission; anyone caught aiding them is subject to imprisonment. When Anna’s secret work is threatened, can she turn to the handsome yet outspoken Daniel Stanton, Liberty’s newspaper editor to ensure the safety of the runaways so dear to her? Will she and Daniel risk everything for their beliefs- including their personal liberty?


My Thoughts:
I knew that I would like this book from the moment I heard about it. Of course I was a little biased; finally a novel set in my beloved state! And then when I discovered that it was about the Underground Railroad, I was excited. I was certain that this book was going to stand out from all the others in the series and it did not disappoint me. For any Civil War or Underground Railroad enthusiast, or a lover of Indiana, this book is for you!

Blessed Indiana

On the sixth day God turned to the Archangel Gabriel and said:

'Today, I am going to create a land called Indiana.

It will be a land of outstanding natural beauty; a land of beautiful lakes full of fish. It shall have tall trees, flowing rivers, landscapes full of flowers, tall grass, beautiful blue skies, majestic eagles, forests full of many kinds of wildlife, rich farmland, wonderful people and they will be great at basketball' God continued, 'I shall make the land rich in resources so as to make the inhabitants prosper and they shall be known as friendly people who practice being 'Hoosier Nice' every day.'

'But Lord,' asked Gabriel, 'don't you think you are being too generous to these Hoosier's?'

'Not really,' replied God 'just wait and see the winters I am going to give them.'