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THINGS YOU'LL NEVER NEED TO KNOW ABOUT 4TH OF JULY

6/29/2018

Since next Wednesday is the Fourth of July I wanted to blog on the topic of US Independence Day. I try to be timely by recognizing and writing blogs about holidays and observance days that we hold dear in the United States … or not so dear, as the case may be.
Photo from: http://nashvillelife.com/Nashville-4th-of-July-Parades

But alas, after I did some preliminary research, I realized there isn’t much to write about the Fourth of July that everyone doesn’t already know. Bummer! That makes for a very short blog, which might be good, but I am bereft of the “pithy gene” and can’t write less than 1,500 words [unless I’m working on the mystery novel I’m writing – in that case, I write about 100 words per week or less].

So, I looked up articles entitled “Interesting [or fun] Facts” about the holiday. A² [“Alas” squared]. None of them were particularly “fun,” although I did learn a few thing I never knew or didn’t remember after a hiatus of sixty years … and it’s kind of fun to see how many “known facts” on the internet disagree with each other.

IN A NUTSHELL
Just like today, it was all about taxes. "Taxation without representation!" At the beginning of the Revolutionary War [April 1775], not many of the colonists wanted complete separation from Great Britain, but gradually the population began to favor complete independence. You all remember that, right?

Of course you do. And you remember, when Richard Henry Lee introduced his motion to the Continental Congress for independence, it was tabled and a five-man committee appointed [Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, John Adams of Massachusetts, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Robert R. Livingston of New York] to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Great Britain. Maybe you recall hearing that, too.

On July 2nd, 1775, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote [NY delegation abstained] and on July 4th, the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence, written primarily by Thomas Jefferson.

“Declaration of Independence” painting by John Trumbull 1818
https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/ ▼

FACTS YOU'LL NEVER NEED TO KNOW
I found these facts interesting although not significant in terms of the history of the United States. They are in no particular order and, as you can see, are not memorable nor would I call them “fun facts”. Just sayin'.

● John Adams believed July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest.

● John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who later became presidents, both died within hours of each other on July 4, 1826—the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Photo: https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/ ▼

● According to the editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, “Jefferson’s inveterate shyness prevented him from playing a significant role in the debate within Congress. John Adams, a leader in those debates, remembers that Jefferson was silent even in committee meetings, though consistently staunch in his support of independence…”
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Declaration-of-Independence
That was news to me. I never thought of Jefferson as being shy.

● “Only two Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The majority of signers penned their signatures on August 2, 1776.”
http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WwhI_0gvzcc
Or was it only one?
● “Only John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. All the others signed later.” https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/

● The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies. Of those 56, eight were born in Great Britain.

● Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence [70], proposed the turkey as the national bird but was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who recommended the bald eagle.
Photo from: https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/

● The youngest signer was Thomas Lynch, Jr. [27] of South Carolina. https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/
Or was he?
● “…Edward Rutledge was the youngest at age 26.” http://thepioneerwoman.com/fun-and-learning/twenty-interesting-things-about4th-of-july/

● The original draft of the Declaration of Independence was lost. Oh, well. I’m sure they have the original of the version that was adopted and signed.
http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WwhI_0gvzcc Library of Congress

● Congress made Independence Day an official unpaid holiday for federal employees in 1870. It didn’t become a federal paid holiday until 1938.

● The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This was also the day that the Declaration of Independence was first read in public after people were summoned by the ringing of the Liberty Bell.

● The Liberty Bell was cast at London’s Whitechapel Bell Foundry. It arrived in Philadelphia in August, 1752. The metal was too brittle and it cracked during the test strike. It was recast twice by local workmen. In its early years the bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens about public meetings and proclamations.

● Every 4th of July the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped [not actually rung] thirteen times in honor of the original thirteen colonies.

● The tune of the National Anthem was originally an English drinking song called “To Anacreon in Heaven.” The words have nothing to do with consumption of alcohol but the “melody that Francis Key had in mind when he wrote those words did originate decades earlier as the melody for a song praise of wine.” http://www.colonialmusic.org/Resource/Anacreon.htm / https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/

LAST BUT NOT LEAST
On June 29, 2013, Parade Magazine ran an article by Ken Jennings entitled “America 101: Take Our Fourth of July Quiz”. The following photo, which I blatantly borrowed from Parade, with the following caption, was part of that article. The caption reads: "We had some fun with John Trumbull's classic painting 'Declaration of Independence.' Now it's your turn. Tweet your captions to @ParadeMagazine using #paradecaption (1818 / Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull / Image by © PoodlesRock/Corbis)."

It may be five years to late for tweeting the captions, but you can try.

Sources
https://parade.com/24863/kenjennings/america-101-take-our-fourth-of-july-quiz/
https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/july-4th
http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/history/history-independence-day/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/02/fireworks-american-history_n_5552960.html
https://acei-global.blog/2013/07/03/20-fun-facts-about-the-4th-of-julyindependence-day/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/fun-and-learning/twenty-interesting-things-about4th-of-july/
http://www.rfdtv.com/story/32328872/4th-of-july-fun-facts#.WwhI_0gvzcc

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THE QUEEN WHO WAS CROWNED POSTHUMOUSLY: The Greatest Love Stories Ever Told Series

6/22/2018

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Painting: Peter and Inês,
by Ernesto Condeixa "AGORA É TARDE; INÉS É MORTA.”

"Agora é tarde; Inês é morta.” = “It’s too late; Inés is dead.” This saying is still commonly used in Portugal, testimony to the tragic love story which took place over five hundred years before.
The love story of King Peter I of Portugal and Inés de Castro took place in the 14th century, during the early years of the Renaissance. It isn’t one you find on the many different lists of “greatest love stories”, and I had never read or heard of it before. My bad.

It is a Romeo-and-Juliette-type story which occurred in the 1300’s, long before the basis for that story was written and published Masuccio Salernitano 1478. But, unlike Romeo and Juliette, this is a true and document love story rooted in Portuguese history, language, and legend.

INÉS DE CASTRO
Inés de Castro was born in Castile in 1325, the natural daughter of the powerful Pedro Fernández de Castro. Her father was an illegitimate grandson of King Sancho IV of Castile and Lord of Lemos and Sarria; Her mother, Pedro’s mistress Aldonca Lourenco de Valadares, daughter of a Portuguese nobleman, was legitimately descended from Infanta Sancha Henriques of Portugal.

At fifteen, Inés went to Portugal as lady-in-waiting to her cousin, Infanta Constanca of Castile, [the granddaughter of James II of Aragon], who was to marry Don Pedro [Peter] son and heir of King Alfonso IV of Portugal.

DON PEDRO / KING PETE I of PORTUGAL
Peter, the heir to the throne of Portugal, was born in 1320, the only son of King Alfonso IV and Queen Beatrice.

In those days, as everyone knows, children of noble birth rarely had any say in whom they married. It was all about the politics of kingdoms, alliances, duty to the crown, and responsibility to the realm. Also, remember that all these noble families were inbred and everyone is related to everyone else. Individual kingdoms during the 1300s.

At the age of nine, Peter was betrothed to Blanche of Castile, but the marriage never took place because of her weak mental health and incapacity.

Peter was about twenty when his father arranged his marriage to Infanta Constansa of Castile for reasons which I won’t burden the reader with. Different sources give his bride the names Lady Constansa Manuel of Castela and Leão, and Constance Manuel of Villena. For clarity, I will refer to her as Constansa.

Peter and Constansa were married in 1340. Since the couple didn’t know each other, and Peter was young, he soon fell hopelessly in love with Inés and began to neglect his legitimate wife.

AFFAIRS OF THE HEART OUT OF WEDLOCK
Most of the court turned a blind eye to discrete affairs of the heart, even out of wedlock. Unfortunately, young Peter was not inclined to be discrete and was even willing to give up the throne to be near Inés. His father, King Alfonso IV didn’t approve because it weakened his already-fragile ties with his ally, the King of Castile. Alfonso waited, believing his son’s infatuation would soon die out. But it didn’t, and the affair continued.

PLOTS TO END THE AFFAIR
Legend tells that although Constansa was not in love with Peter, she plotted to end his affair by inviting Inés to be the godmother of her newly born son, born in 1340. According to the Catholic Church, this would make Inés a member of the family and her affair with Peter would be deemed incestuous and end it once and for all. To her disappointment, her efforts didn’t produce the result she wanted.

Finally, in 1344, King Alfonso banished Inés from court and sent her back to Castile, where she resided in Albuquerque Castle. Still, they wrote letters and Peter continued to visit her.

Albuquerque Castle Today

THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING
A year later, in 1345, Constansa died shortly after giving birth to their third child, Fernando (the first of Peter’s sons to succeed him on the throne).

As soon as Peter was no longer married, he brought his lover back to Portugal. They settled in Coimba and lived together openly. Over the next ten years they had four children, one of whom died in infancy.

King Alfonso made attempts to convince his son to remarry other noble women “worthy of his station” with family ties to buttress King Alfonso’s power, but Peter would have none of it. Instead he wanted to marry Inés, which his father forbade. Whether he actually married her during this time or not falls into the legend category. Some sources say he did, some believe he didn’t. After the fact, Peter claimed he had married her and produced witnesses, although they couldn’t quite remember the exact date.

During this time, Peter became close to Ines’s brothers who attempted to convince him to claim the throne of Castile. King Alfonso and his advisors feared the future monarch would embroil the kingdom in a war with neighbors, or worse, a civil war. Something had to be done.

THE EXECUTION
In 1344, while Peter was away from home, the king and his counselors discussed the matter of Peter and Inés, and finally decided the only solution was do away with Inés. As a grandfather, the king wasn’t happy about the idea, but finally went with three of his courtiers to sentence her to death.

Whether the king actually went with them or not is subject to debate. According to Cristóvão Rodrigues Acenheiro’s Chronicles of the Portuguese kings (1535), when they arrived, Inés appeared before the king with her children and begged him to remand the sentence. These chronicles have been the inspiration for many paintings. poems, operas, and literary works.

Painting by Eugénie Servières, 1822 Murder of Inês de Castro.
Painting by Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, ca. 1901/04

Alfonso struggled with the decision, but finally turned his back and told his courtiers to do what they wanted with her. The three men proceeded to decapitate her in front of her children. Some sources say she was stabled with a dagger. She was only 29 years old.

THE AFTERMATH
When Peter returned and learned of Ines’s death, he was furious with his father for ordering the execution. With the support of Ines’s brothers, he staged a revolt against his father which lasted almost a year, until Queen Beatrice, Peter’s mother, forced an end to the war and brought about a reconciliation between father and son. Peter promised he had forgiven his father. Two years later, King Alfonso IV died, and Peter was crowned king in 1357.

A QUEEN IS CROWNED POSTMORTEM
As soon as he was crowned, King Peter I did two things. First, he found two the men who had killed Ines (the third escaped to France), subjected them to public trial where they were found guilty, and then had them tortured and executed.

According to an article by Else M. in TheRoyalArticles.com, the method of death torture was highly symbolic. “…from one of the men who had killed the love of his life, the heart was ripped out of the body through his back, and from the other, the heart was pulled out through the chest. All this happened in front of the Royal Palace, where the King was able to watch the terrible scene while having dinner!” Other sources claim he did it himself. This earned him the title of “Peter the Cruel.”

Second, King Peter announced that he had secretly married Ines in the town of Braganca, and produced his witnesses. Thus Ines de Castro was declared as Peter’s legitimate wife and therefore Queen of Portugal. He ordered her body exhumed from where she was buried in the Monastery of Santa Clara in Coimbra, and taken to the Monastery of Alcobada (tomb of the kings).

Monastery of Santa Clara in Coimbra Monastery of Alcobada Tomb of Ines de Castro

Her body was accompanied by a huge procession and a thousand men carried candles in a way that kept the body lighted for the entire trip. She was placed in a magnificent tomb carved of white marble. Today, King Peter I and Inés de Castro are inured facing each other in identical tombs inscribed “Until the end of the world.”

Legend tells us that once Inés’s body arrived in Alcobada, Peter ordered it to be dressed in finery and jewels and placed on the throne, then required his court to pledge allegiance to her as queen and kiss her hand. There is little evidence this really happened, but after everything else Peter did, who knows? Most legends are found on some truth.

Pierre-Charles Comte, and hangs in the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon.

REIGN OF KING PETER I OF PORTUGAL
King Peter I ruled for ten years, until his death in 1367. Despite his nickname “Peter the Cruel” he was also known as “Peter the Just”. He was, indeed, just but he carried out justice with extreme measures, often handling executions himself rather than leaving it to servants.

Otherwise, his rule actually displayed him as a sweet and gentle character, as well as a good administrator. He was beloved by the population. He defended the realm against papal influence, helped the least fortunate, administered justice, and curbed the excesses of the nobility. His rule was the only time in the 14th century when Portugal was without war and very prosperous.

Note: There are a variety of spellings for the names of these historical figures, including variations of Spanish, Portuguese, and Castillian. I picked those which seemed most familiar and used them consistently.

Sources
http://www.theroyalarticles.com/articles/71/1/Ines-de-Castro-The-Queen-Who-Was-Crowned-After-Death/Page1.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In%C3%AAs_de_Castro
https://www.historyofroyalwomen.com/the-royal-women/ines-de-castro-the-posthumous-queen/
http://ayoungwerewolf.tumblr.com/post/11797783166/thehaunter-the-corpse-bride-of-portugal-when
http://www.centerofportugal.com/the-tale-of-peter-and-ines/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tomb-of-ines-de-castro
http://portuguesediner.com/tiamaria/portuguese-love-stories/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_I_of_Portugal
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_of_Castile
https://www.geni.com/people/Aldon%C3%A7a-Louren%C3%A7o-de-Valadares/6000000000529077941
https://comicvine.gamespot.com/profile/dragonborn_ct/blog/history-files-the-tragedy-of-pedro-and-ines-de-cas/93697/
https://www.vortexmag.net/como-ines-de-castro-se-tornou-rainha-depois-de-morta/
http://www.rednecklatte.com/she-looks-a-little-pale-to-me/
http://www.medievalists.net/2010/03/relations-between-portugal-and-castile-in-the-late-middle-ages-%E2%80%93-13th-16th-centuries/

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NATIONAL FLAG DAY

6/14/2018

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Flag Day, celebrated on June 14, commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States which occurred on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. It wasn't until 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation officially establishing Flag Day, but not as a national holiday.
Photo: Old Farmer's Almanac

YES, VIRGINIA! THERE IS REALLY A GOVERNMENT FLAG CODE
Why are you not surprised? We have laws and codes for just about everything imaginable.
True to form, there are conflicting references to the law itself. USFlag.org references Public Law 829 as the "Flag Code."

However, in a congressional document entitled The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions [April 14, 2008] states: "This report presents, verbatim, the United States in Title 4 of the United States Code and the section of Title 36 which designates the Star-Spangled Banner as the national anthem and provides instructions on how to display the flag…"

Who knew? But onward we go.

Another reference on the website https://www.legion.org/flag/flagmyths says, "The 77th Congress adopted this codification of rules as public law on June 22, 1942. It is Title 4, United States Code Chapter 1."

THE MEANING OF THE US FLAG
While the code doesn't articulate any definition of what the flag is supposed to mean, it is generally thought of as representing the patriotic ideals and spiritual qualities of the citizens of the US, and the principles of liberty, justice, and humanity.

FLAG MYTHS
Most American know a little about the US flag. Some remember that the thirteen stripes in white and red represent the thirteen colonies and the stars on the field of blue [originally 13 and now 50] represent the union of the states under one federal government. And we all have heard, been taught, or learned, that Betsy sewed the first US Flag.

There are a number of myths, or at least misinterpretations, related to the US Flag.
● Betsy Ross made the first American Flag.
That's what I was taught back in the day. And back then, if it was in print, it had to be correct. Right?

Conceptual portrait of Betsy Ross – Artist Unknown
http://www.revolutionarywararchives.org/betsyross.html

▲Betsy Ross 1777, a ca. 1920 depiction by artist Jean Leon Gerome
      http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Betsy_Ross_flag

Actually, there is no historic evidence that Elizabeth Claypoole [her maiden name] was involved in either the design or production of the flag that made its debut in 1777. It appears that this myth found fertile ground in 1870 when Betsy Ross' grandson, William Canby, first made this claim [100 years after the fact]. It's true that Ross made flags in Philadelphia in the late 1770, along with many other women, but most historians now believe the story about the first flag as pure legend.

   ● The Red, White, and Blue Colors Symbolize American Sacrifice.
Nothing in the statues mentions an official reason or explanation for the colors. When people say the colors symbolize something, they are probably referring to the explanation given by Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress, about the meaning of the colors in the Great Seal of the United States which are also red, white, and blue. Thomson's report to the Congress in 1782, says the "white signifies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and valor; and blue … signified vigilance, preservation, and justice."

      Photo: http://www.greatseal.com/

● It is illegal to burn the American Flag.
It was illegal until 1989, when the Supreme Court ruled 5 to 4 in Texas v. Johnson that burning the flag is a form of symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment.

The Supreme Court’s decision invalidated a 1968 national flag-desecration law, as well as similar laws in 48 states (all except Wyoming and Alaska). In response, Congress passed the Flag Protection Act, but that law was also challenged and wound up in the Supreme Court. The court in 1990 essentially affirmed its earlier ruling, stating that any law banning flag burning violated free speech.

● It's Okay to wear clothing displaying the Stars and Strips
Wait! Don't buy that T-shirt yet. The US Flag Code states the flag "should not" be displaying on any article of merchandise. [Other references use the words are "Shall never".]

In the US Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 3 [You really needed to know that, right?] is a wonderful 232 word sentence, written in governmentese, which says:

“Any person who, within the District of Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag, standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to be given away or for use for any purpose….”

That’s pretty clear, although I wonder what the rationale is for just the District of Columbia. However, along comes US Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8 (d).

“The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free….”

No free fall with this flag! But don't worry! Even if you are in the District of Columbia, the law doesn't have any provisions for enforcement, so are there are no Flag Police lurking around the corner of the White House to fine you. However, we should respect the flag, and I don't believe this type of garment is very respectful. My two cents.

● The US Has 51 [or 52] States.
The good old USA has only 50 states. The last one added was Hawaii in 1959. Apparently, some people [mostly outside the US] believe that the federal District of Columbia, Washington DC, is a state, which it is not. Others may include the unincorporated territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa, to name a few. The USA has more than 14 territories, 5 of them with permanent, nonmilitary populations.

The flag code does prohibit the display a US flag with fewer than 50 states.

● The Flag Cannot be displayed after dark.
The Flag Code states: It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during hours of darkness.

In addition the flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. Also, the flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.
□
Sources
http://www.answers.com/Q/What_does_the_United_States_Flag_Represent
http://www.usflag.org
https://www.nyhistory.org/web/crossroads/gallery/all/pewterers_banner.html
https://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf
http://search.excite.com/excite8/search/web?fcoid=417&fcop=topnav&fpid=27&q=flag%20etiquette
https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/flag-day
http://www.debunkingmandelaeffects.com/51-or-52-states-in-the-united-states-of-america/
https://www.legion.org/flag/flagmyths
https://www.reference.com/geography/51-states-fa0d9935e4f12b61
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/8
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/United_States_Code/Title_4/Chapter_1

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Rachel's Secret: A new Inspirational by Mary Galusha

6/8/2018

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If you enjoy a good inspirational love story and American history, you will love Mary Galusha’s books about the settling of Montana in the late 1800s. Rachel’s Secret, carries on the theme of her first book, Sapphire Skies, depicting the strong and independent women who played significant roles in the forging of the American west.

Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc.
Kindle Buy Link
Barnes and Noble Buy Link

BLURB
Rachel Kohl, lives miles away from Cedar Creek, Montana on a homestead with her immigrant parents. She longs to have her own family.

At church, she meets and yearns for Sean Malone but finds he is married to Rachel's only friend. Sheriff Malone is devastated after losing his wife in childbirth leaving him with a baby girl. This is the second loss Sean has suffered and believes God has abandoned him.
Rachel's guilty secret moves her to offer help in caring for his infant. A blizzard strands Rachel overnight with Sean, outraging her father, who insists Sean marry Rachel to avoid a scandal. Rachel dreams this might become a real marriage, but fears she is becoming more a live-in servant.

Will Rachel's love for Sean help restore their relationship and his faith? Can Sean see Rachel as the angel God has sent him?

EXCERPT

   Several days passed before Rachel gained back some strength and began to feel better. Mama had put fresh, clean sheets on the bed before going back to the homestead and, taking Baby Beth and Joey with her. She and Sean had traded off being at her side during the entire ordeal. Now Rachel was able to be out of bed for short periods and to eat soft food, but in small amounts.

   On the morning Mama and Papa were bringing the children back, Rachel cooked breakfast. It felt good to be up and moving about. Sean complimented her on how delicious the bacon and eggs were, but kept a watchful on her.

   He put his coffee cup down. "I need to go to the office. I'll be back to check on you. I'll ask Ingrid to stop by after the lunch rush. Promise me you'll rest today."

   "Mama and Papa are bringing Baby Beth and Joey home today. I've missed them."

   "The main thing is to take care of you." He gave her a lopsided grin. "The last thing I want is for folks to think I made you sick again."

   Rachel laughed.

   It had been a long time since she'd actually laughed. What a good feeling. So good, she kept right on laughing. The whole situation wasn't laughable, but with Sean saying something on the light side, for some reason, she felt better.

   He touched her cheek. "I love your laugh. Let's have more of it in this house."

   Rachel tried to smile, but his words brought tears to her eyes.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Galusha is originally from Montana where her immigrant grandparents homesteaded, so it is only fitting that her debut novel, Sapphire Skies [winner of the Deep in the Heart Romance 2013 Romance of the Year] and her second novel, Rachel’s Secret, are homesteading romances set in Montana in the late 1800s. She fondly remembers listening to her grandparents’ stories of survival in a new country which were, at times, both frightening and sometimes hilarious

From a very young age, Mary demonstrated a love of the written word. She was an avid reader who loved the magic of a good story, so when her teachers encouraged her flair for writing, her dream of becoming a published author was born. After a career as a grade school teacher and high school counselor, and raising her two children, Mary finally found the time to pursue her dream.

Mary is an active member of Romance Writers of America and its San Diego, Hearts Through History, and Faith, Hope and Love chapters. She now lives near San Diego, CA, where she writes historical romance fiction and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching movies, playing bridge, and cultivating a flower garden which includes apple trees and lilacs which remind her of her home state.

Mary loves to hear from her friends and readers. Visit her at:

Website:    http://www.marygalusha.com/
Facebook      https://www.facebook.com/MaryGalushaAuthor
Twitter https://twitter.com/marygalusha

Sapphire Skies
Kindle Buy Link
Barnes and Noble Buy Link

Originally from Montana, from a very young age, Mary Galusha demonstrated a love of the written word. She was an avid reader who loved the magic of a good story, so when her teachers encouraged her flair for writing, her dream of becoming a published author was born. After a career as a grade school teacher and high school counselor, and raising her two children, Mary finally found the time to pursue her dream.

where her immigrant grandparents homesteaded, so it's only fitting that her debut novel, Sapphire Skies [winner of the
the Deep in the Heart Romance 2013 Romance of the Year] and her second novel, Rachel’s Secret, are homesteading romances set in Montana in the late 1800s. She fondly remembers listening to her grandparents’ stories of survival in a new country which were, at times, both frightening and sometimes hilarious.
Mary is an active member of Romance Writers of America and its San Diego, Hearts Through History, and Faith, Hope and Love chapters. She now lives near San Diego, CA, where she writes historical romance fiction and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching movies, playing bridge, and cultivating a flower garden which includes apple trees and lilacs which remind her of her home state.
Mary loves to hear from her friends and readers. Visit her at:
Website:         http://www.marygalusha.com/
Facebook      https://www.facebook.com/MaryGalushaAuthor
Twitter            https://twitter.com/marygalusha
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ADVICE TO ASPIRING AUTHORS

6/1/2018

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THE PURPOSE IN WRITING THIS BLOG
Writers are frequently asked the following question. "What is your advice for aspiring authors?”

The question motivated me to write this article, since I do have a few pieces of advice, things I wish I’d understood as a beginning novelist. I learned the hard way that having heard the advice is not the same as really understanding what it means.

Even with the opportunities today [self-publishing, eBooks, and many more small POD publishers] which didn’t exist when I began writing, breaking into fiction writing and publishing is hard enough when an aspiring author has a good mentor. Without one, a person can waste a lot of time learning hit-and-miss.

Please note I’m this is aimed at beginning popular-fiction novelists. I’m not qualified to give advice regarding short stories, poetry, and very literary works. I have done a lot of non-fiction, professional writing, and I know from experience it is a different kind of writing.

MY TWO CENTS FOR ASPIRING NOVELISTS

In general, my advice to aspiring authors: RUN AWAY FROM HOME! Actually, that’s the best piece of advice I can give, but that’s not very practical in most cases. Just remember, your family is likely to be your biggest supporter and your biggest obstacle.

The second piece of advice is to put your butt in the chair and write, write, write, read, read, read. These, also, have caveats. There are other things you need to do along the way.

Other than the first, these are not in any particular order. Some are sequential, but many of them happen at the same time.
You mean now?

● Start today
Never think you’re too old or too young. Too busy. Don’t put it off. The “right time” never comes.

● Schedule your writing time
Set aside the time to write, and stick with it, in spite of your family. Don’t allow interruptions. Your family may never understand, so you must make it happen. However you do it, you need to insist on not letting the rest of your life interfere with your writing time. It may only be ten or fifteen minutes a day, but
do it. It’s up to you. It helps to make it as convenient and comfortable as possible.

1)    Get a Timer and use it. Buy a kitchen timer and set it for the time you’ve allotted for writing. If you have several hours for writing, use it as a reminder to get up and move around every so often.
   2)    Set up a comfortable writing environment. We don’t always have the luxury to have our own writing space, but try to make yours as comfortable, and private, as possible. Avoiding interruptions is very important.
   3)    Invest in a good chair. Set your computer keyboard at the right height. Take whatever steps possible to encourage good posture and ergonomically proper positions.

It takes me about forty minutes to really get in the zone when I’m writing new material. That’s when my husband comes into my office and says, ”I just want to kiss my lovely wife.” What am I supposed to say to that? Besides, my concentration is already broken, and it will take me another thirty minutes to get back where I was.

Another writer I know used to be a police officer. She was experiencing the same sort of interruptions. Finally, in desperation, she got out her service weapon, a Glock, and placed it on her desk with a sign “Do Not Disturb!” Her family got the picture.

● Learn the craft of writing
There is no substitute for learning the craft of writing. You may think you know it now, but most people still have a lot to learn.

In addition to English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, you need to learn the components of a novel, how to plot, how to develop characters, structure, pacing, view point, establishing tension, creating an ambiance, and a lot more. There are several ways to learn the craft.

1)    Take classes in creative writing. They are available through community colleges and universities, correspondence courses, and on-line classes [lots of those out there and not expensive].
   2)    Join a few good writer’s groups on-line that focus on craft and sharing with other writers.
   3)    Read books on writing craft and use the knowledge.
   4)    Join a professional writing organization. It’s preferable to know what you want to write and join the appropriate organization, but you can learn from any of them.
5) Join a critique group with other writers. These can be online or in person. Personally, I like the face to face because I believe you learn more.

The feedback is invaluable, and critique partners keep you writing. However, you need to be compatible with the individuals in the group. That doesn’t mean “best friends” but people you feel comfortable with, can respect, and can trust to give you their honest opinions about their personal reactions to you work and won’t not just say something nice whether they mean it or not. You need to reciprocate with honest reactions and tactful words. [There’s a lot more to be said about critique groups.]

   6)    Enter writing contests for the feedback on your work. [There are also pros and cons of entering contests.]
   7)    Read, Read, Read. Very important. Good writers are readers. I usually read the kind of books I am writing at the time. Other authors don ‘t so they won’t copy anyone’s ideas unintentionally. What you read is up to you, but it never hurts to read in all genres, just to know what’s getting published.
8)    WRITE, WRITE, WRITE. MOST IMPORTANT. The more you write and put into practice what you are learning, the better you get. Don’t ever think you know everything, because you won’t. There is always something else to learn, and refreshers never hurt either.

● Learn to take criticism
It’s no fun, but to learn you have to hear the bad news along with the good, and you have to learn the difference between useful and hurtful criticism. This is the reason to be cautious about groups you join and people you ask for opinions and input.

When I get a really bad or hateful review [particularly one that makes me mad], I don’t respond … ever. My advice is to put it away for a week or two. Then when you’re over it, read it again and look for kernels of truth. There is usually at least one point that is valid or at least a warning signal that there are certain areas you need to look at.

P.S. I find that venting to my critique group is a good way to get it off my chest under these circumstances.

● Be persistent and never get discouraged
Easy to say, hard to do. You have to keep at it, no matter what, but along with that, be honest with your expectations. Don’t expect to win the first few contests you enter or sell the first thing you send out. You might -- that does happen -- but don’t set your heart on it. There’s a word for writers with persistence: Published.

● Know your market
Even as a beginner, a writer should try to decide what kind of book he/she wants to write. Is it a traditional mystery? A Romance [by genre definition where romance drives the story]? A Suspense novel? Do you know the different between a mystery and a thriller?

Read the kind book you aspire to write. If you change your mind later, that’s okay, but you’ll be further along if you know what you are writing. It allows you to read in that genre, study the themes that are popular (and sell), the length, the view points, etc. Your book may not end up the way you envisioned at the start, but having an idea before you start will save time and angst.

This is important because sooner or later you have to identify your audience -- the people who will not only buy your book, but read and enjoy it. Efforts are more successful if you target something and concentrate on that. In fiction writing, knowing your audience helps you focus on the features the particular audience wants or is interested in.

● Read, Read, Read

Read lots of books and a wide variety, not just what you write. Read some genres you don’t like and expand your horizons. But also read books in the genre you want to write in. Do your homework.

● Be cautious who you take advice from
This is more important than it may sound. Be cautious of an English teacher who says, “Oh, you’re such a good writer, you should write a novel. This will sell.” Being a good English teacher doesn’t mean the person knows the current publishing market, how to write a book, what’s selling, or how to tell a story. The person might know all that, but don’t assume anything. Be sure he/she has the credentials before you take their word for it or follow their advice about what to do with your story, unless it is specifically related to the class you’re taking. Then you do what the teacher tells you to do.

Be cautious of your friends and family who say, “Oh, that’s such an interesting story!” or “You are so funny; you should write a book.” Maybe you should, but not all interesting or funny stories are book material.

There is a lot more to writing a novel than telling funny or interesting anecdotes. Author Jane Tombs says “Do not ask family or friends to critique your work unless they are professional critiquers.”

Take your advice from other writers and people who know the craft and the business. Network. That’s part of the reason for joining a professional writer’s organization, being in a critique group, and participating in an on-line writer’s community. Still, be aware you’ll still get conflicting advice. Authors, editors, and agents don’t all agree with each other, but at least they are in the business.

● Don’t expect writing to be easy
Writing is hard work, whether you write a good book or a bad one, but it’s worth it if you are truly a writer.

● Don’t parrot what happened in real life
Your story has to work as a piece of fiction. Maybe in real life the situation played out in a certain way, but if the action/resolution doesn't work with the story or the reader doesn’t believe it, it doesn’t matter. Real life is often “unbelievable” and sometimes it’s pretty dull. Remember, you are writing fiction, even if it is based on reality, and the story has to work as fiction.

● Know your computer and programs
Learn all you can about your computer and the software you intend to use. Learn how to use the internet, how to use the editing and writing programs, and how to submit electronically. Otherwise, you will go nuts.

Plus, you can waste a lot of time fighting with your computer and/or printer. [I have an adversarial relationship with my printer, no matter what kind I have.]

● Learn to write anywhere
You should be able to write long hand as well as on the computer. Always have something with you, tablet and pen, laptop, items to edit, whatever. Use whatever time is available to write. If you how you have to wait, bring something to work on. Today’s options include voice recording for both telling and for converting recorded material to the written word. Find what works for you, but be versatile and don't waste any of your time.

● Learn to “write by the rules” first
You need to know what the “rules” are before you break them, and when you break them, it should be on purpose for a particular reason, not because of ignorance.

Learn to write using proper grammar and other “writing rules,” then break them as a conscious choice. For example: if you want to use sentence fragments, use them with the understanding of what they are and that this is your choice regarding style [not because you just don’t know these are not complete sentences]. But don’t break the format rules when submitting to an agent or editor.

● Finish the book
Don’t get stuck in a constant rewriting mode. Some people end up writing the first chapters over and over. It’s a trap. Keep going and finish the book. Then go back and edit, fine-tune, rewrite―whatever it takes to make the novel work. Finish first. You may find your novel starting in a completely different place in the story.

● Learn to Edit
Editing is a skill of its own. You have to self-edit first, but eventually It’s preferable to have another set of eyes take a look. Sometimes the author has been over the manuscript so many times that errors get passed over. Edit for storyline and believability as well as grammar and spelling. Polish your work as best as possible before submitting.

P.S. If you plan to self-publish, bite the bullet and hire a good editor. You'll be glad you did.

● Submit your work
Your novel will never get published if it remain in a box under your bed. After editing and polishing the manuscript, you have to send it out to editors and agents. But do your homework. Follow the format and submission guidelines exactly. Editors and agents have lots to choose from and are looking for reasons to turn you down. Also, consider submitting your work to contests. The feedback can be helpful.

● Learn to take rejection
When you submit, you have to expect some rejections. That’s okay. You learn from the experience. However, don’t lose your confidence because the work has been rejected. It may have nothing to do with your work. The publisher may have too many manuscripts in that genre. The book may be great, but the publisher doesn’t print that genre. Or it may have too many problems to fix. Learn how to extract useful feedback from rejections and use it to improve your work.

● Approach writing as a business
If you are serious about a career writing, you must approach writing as a business and treat it like you would a paying job. You go to work every day and perform your tasks, whether or not you feel like it. Otherwise, writing is a hobby. That’s okay―you can still be published and sell books―but your expectations, goals, and priorities will be different. Other aspects of your life will take priority, and what happens will happen.

● Be sincerely supportive of others
Most of us can’t be successful authors without support and encouragement from others, in good times and bad. If you are there for other authors, they will be there for you.

● Pay your dues
Some choices are smarter than others, but there are no real short cuts. As Jennie Crusie said at a national RWA Writers Conference, “There are many roads to success; some of them just take longer.”□

Note about Sources
I didn’t do any research for this article. It is based purely on my own experience although, Lord knows, I’ve read plenty of interviews and articles on Advice to Aspiring Writers over the years. I didn’t read any of the references below, but I list them as other sources for the reader to look at and compare. I’d put money on your finding many repeats among the articles.

Other articles on Advice to Aspiring Writers:
https://www.starrigger.net/on-writing/writing-advice/advice/
https://www.buzzfeed.com/chelseypippin/33-essential-tips-for-aspiring-writers?utm_term=.bd9WQj063#.ndyY8xZg5
https://www.marissameyer.com/blogtype/my-best-advice-for-aspiring-writers/
https://lithub.com/judy-blumes-advice-for-aspiring-writers/
http://www.hughhowey.com/my-advice-to-aspiring-authors/
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/10-dos-donts-for-the-aspiring-novelist
https://www.gaelenfoley.com/w03-advice-for-aspiring.html
https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/103-advice-to-aspiring-writers
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/j-i-packers-advice-to-aspiring-writers
https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/09/11/neil-gaiman-advice-to-writers/
https://www.wsj.com/video/stan-lee-advice-to-aspiring-writers/887BFD6F-F0E2-4A12-99CF-10F0218FD6DC.html
https://www.livewritethrive.com/2014/12/08/15-tips-for-aspiring-writers-from-5-successful-authors/
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/quora/ten-things-all-aspiring-w_b_10322508.html

Other articles on Advice to Aspiring Romance Writers:
https://www.writerswrite.com/journal/feb05/nine-tips-for-aspiring-romance-writers-2055
http://karinabliss.com/writer-in-progress/advice-for-aspiring-romance-writers/
https://www.rtbookreviews.com/rt-daily-blog/karen-robards-gives-advice-aspiring-writers-giveaway
http://www.toniblake.com/help-for-aspiring-writers/
https://www.goodreads.com/questions/662735-what-s-your-advice-for-aspiring-writers
https://harlequinblog.com/2011/04/kristan-higginss-tips-for-aspiring-writers/
http://www.meredithwild.com/writer-advice/
https://www.womansday.com/life/entertainment/a55393/what-its-like-to-write-romance-novels-for-a-living/
https://parade.com/473690/klconniewang/exclusive-excerpt-and-interview-with-author-jude-deveraux/
http://www.amandacabot.com/index_files/for-writers.htm

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