In The Flow of Time – June 18, 2025 This should be fun. A bit distracted because of “other” stuff, but I am still getting a little writing done. Finishing up a chapter that involves Voudou mind control. Seriously. I’m stepping way outside my comfort zone, but given my nature,… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – May 19, 2025 I’m researching early Mississippi River steamboats. We are circa 1820. They have been around for less than 10 years, but they are way better. So already there are dozens landing in New Orleans, probably about one hundred or so. The photo… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – May 14, 2025 A funny thing happened at writers’ critique. I’m cranking away on the plot for Part 2 of this story about Marie Laveaux. The process has its ups and downs, and in fact to a degree I’m struggling. It is what it… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – May 10, 2025 The Catholic church picked a new Pope the other day. It turns out, he has roots in Creole New Orleans. Friends who know what I’m writing immediately asked if I’d seen this news. Yes indeed. I’m writing 50-100 years before his… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – April 27, 2025 So it works like this. I’m writing Part 1 but plotting the 2nd part of the story. I’m weird, I want (to the extent possible) the fiction to be based in fact. In Part 1, a young woman named Robinette is… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – March 24, 2025 In 1806 Louisiana, recently purchased, became a US territory. A significant percentage of the population were free people of color. Free except they couldn’t vote or hold office. Free except… The Black Code of 1806 said… “free people of colour ought… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – March 23, 2025 Marie Laveaux was a dancer. That’s for real, but I’ve made that a core element of the character’s personality. I’m working on this chapter, then I think I’ll take a significant break until Part 2 is fully plotted and the muse… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – March 17, 2025 “In the Flow of Time” refers to the history as it appears in fiction—in this case antebellum New Orleans. It also applies to me writing this story. 🙂 My own time flows. I’m a plotter, not a pantser (as in writing… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – March 11, 2025 About the practical mechanics of writing. I have a map of 1837 New Orleans covered with annotations about who lived where when, locations of significant scenes, etc. etc. For me it’s invaluable, and irreplaceable. There are dozens of notes, over the… Continue reading
In The Flow of Time – March 6, 2025 In a scene, an older Black woman gives a white American man shit. And in the process, he is shamed into being polite. And my fellow-writer feedback, “In 1820, no white man would ever be polite to a Black woman.” True!… Continue reading
