If you happened to catch our Yee-Haw blog on Monday, you’ll know I announced a new series called Love Train. My book, CHRISTIANA, is the launch book and will be released on April 1st, but I’ll talk more about that later.
There’s few things more satisfying than writing a book to the finish. Starting one, however, isn’t quite as satisfying, at least not for me. In fact, it can be downright stressful until I find my way with the plot, the characters, and their conflict.
To do that, I must do plenty of research, especially if I’m writing an historical. Then, as inevitably happens, I stumble upon an article that I find absolutely fascinating, and voila, my story starts to take shape.
That’s exactly what happened with Belle Siddons.
The author of the article mostly pieced together information from two reporters’ sources–a jail cell interview when she was a bit, well, inebriated, and a death bed interview where she describes herself as a victim and whose account doesn’t quite match up with what little historical facts could be found.
Still, the author wrote a fascinating piece, and from the beginning, I was hooked. Here’s a quote from a reporter at the time:
She went to the wildest excesses in dissipation. When not sitting behind her gambling table she was eating or drinking. But she was never known to drink in her gambling hall. There she would sit, silent and brilliant, coldly shuffling the cards, or carelessly turning her roulette table. Women she despised and seldom spoke to or of them. She never quarreled or exchanged words of anger. Her prompt argument was her pistol, which always lay beside her stacks of money. Her favorite costume was red or black velvet, ornamented with a profusion of gaudy jewelry, mostly diamonds and rubies. Her luxuriant black hair usually hung carelessly looped over her shoulders with gold and diamond clasps. This sensational costume, she said, was a part of her stock in trade. “It excites curiosity and draws in the suckers,” she said.
—San Francisco Examiner, 1881
What’s not to love?
I won’t go too deep into her wild life given that not all of it can be backed up as factual. The author admits to fictionalizing Belle’s legend, and it made for fascinating reading. But if you want to read the article, here’s a link.
From <http://shipwrecklibrary.com/deadlands/belle-siddons/>
Regardless, after poring over the writings, my story took off, and I love it when that happens.
Belle is the inspiration for my heroine’s mother, Olivia Turcotte. I softened her up quite a bit, and the story is truly Christiana’s, but the book is based on Olivia’s actions, Christiana’s love for her, and the hopes and dreams she has.
One thing I did keep was Olivia’s skill at the faro table. It was that skill which drew the villain’s interest, leads to the decisions she makes, and well, you’ll have to read the book when it comes out to learn more.
Suffice to say, everyone–even outlaws–have skills that everyone admires.
I’d like to think I have numerous skills–ha!–but probably my strongest would be organizational. It seems I’m always ramrodding something for my family or other authors, a throwback, I suppose, from being the oldest of seven children that were born boom-boom-boom. Back in those years, my mother needed help, and she’d come to me saying “Pam, you handle it.”
So I did.
How about you? Can you name one skill that is your best?
Pam has written 30 romances, most of them historical westerns, but she's proud of her contemporary sweet romances featuring the Blackstone Ranch series published by Tule Publishing, too! Stay up on the latest at www.pamcrooks.com
Your book sounds interesting. Looking forward to reading it! I really can’t think of a skill that I’m good at though.
Kathleen, I suspect you are being too modest. Sometimes, the best skills are the ones we take for granted. We just use them every day and don’t even think about it, but those around us notice!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love the name Christiana. I went to Christiana High School, and grew up near Christiana, DE. It was named for Queen Christiana of Sweden. The Swedes landed and settled in Delaware before the English.
There are other places in Delaware with a nod to the Swedes like Swedes Landing in Wilmington and Swede’s Church in Old New Castle. There’s a reproduction wooden ship that docks in Wilmington and in Lewes (pronounced like Louis). The Kalmar Nyckel (I think I spelled it correctly).
One of my skills is knowing lots of useless trivia.
I looked up the spelling and I was correct. But the Kalmar Nyckel only claims Wilmington as the port for the tall ship. It’s a beautiful tall ship, a floating living museum of sorts. Its home is on the Christina River.
Lewes has the Zwaanendael, a building named for the Dutch settlers there.
Delaware, a small state with a lot of rich history.
“Delaware, a small state with a lot of rich history.”
No kidding! Traveling the east coast is on my bucket list for that very reason.
Oh, so interesting about the name Christiana! I had no idea there was a town and high school with the same I found the name in a listing of historical names for women, so it’s authentic. And your information proves it! Would you believe I’d never heard of it before – don’t know anyone with a name like it.
What you say is ‘useless’, others find fascinating. (Like me!) I would love to sit and have coffee with you sometime. I’d learn all kinds of things from you!
I would love to sit with you and talk, too. I’m sure I’d learn things from you, too!
There’s a Christiana in Pennsylvania, but I think it’s a more rural area. In Christiana, DE, which is more of a village for the historic part, I had a friend who lived in the George Read house. I can’t remember if he was the signer or nephew of the signer of the Declaration of Independence. They have the same name, and there’s also a George Read house in Old New Castle, more of a mini Williamsburg without as many tourists.
Thanks for sharing such interesting history, Denise.
I love doing research. You find out so many amazing facts. Not sure I have any fantastic skills
Those of us who write historicals are all research-lovers. I can’t imagine writing one without having to grab a history book or spend alot of time on Google. Hours pass quickly, I assure you!
Some of the very best ideas for stories come from news articles!
I agree, Rhonda. What is it they say – “Truth is stranger than fiction.” Truly a cache of fun ideas to get a writer’s mind going.
She sounds like quite the fun character! I don’t know that I’ve ever thought about what skill is “my best”. I’ve taken the Clifton strengths test and I know I’m a restorer. My biggest passion is to bring things “back to life” which is probably why I love the editing stage of writing so much. 🙂
Ooh, Kari! I love that – a restorer. And editing does just that, doesn’t it?
Editing is my favorite part, too. I can edit until the cows come home – even after the book is published. Ha!
I’m good at growing dahlias. It is a passion. This new series is going to be fantastic!
What a gift to have a passion for such beauty, Kathy. I admire anyone who can bring something to life like flowers or vegetables. Not everyone can. Post pictures sometime!
My husband says cooking is my better skill because he came from a family that really can’t cook at all. Your new series sounds really interesting and can’t wait to read it.
Oh, I admire a good cook!! It’s something your family will always remember about you. There’s definitely a skill needed to prepare good food. It’s not as easy as it looks.
Stay tuned about the new Love Train series. Won’t be long now!
What a fascinating inspiration, Pam! I love that photograph of Belle. What a stunner. I can see how she would cause a stir. What a fun backdrop to prop a story on. 🙂
She’s one of the thngs I love about the Old West. I can just see her at her faro table dressed so richly (most likely with the money she skimmed off of her players, right? LOL.)
Thanks for stopping by, Karen!
Pam, I am delighted to you have found some creative inspiration in my Belle Siddons piece! It was a delight to research and a complete hoot to write. While I fictionalized some details for the purposes of my own alternate history, what we know of her actual life—in all its splendid contradictions—is simply fascinating. I very much look forward to reading about Olivia Turcotte!
Oh, my goodness!!! LOL. The power of the Internet. What a surprise to see you, and yes, I absolutely loved your piece!! I read every word again and again. Well done and so realistic. I can only imagine the time you spent trying to find more and factual information on Belle Siddons.
Like I said, she was my inspiration for Olivia Turcotte, but the book is actually about her daughter, CHRISTIANA. But Belle definitely got my creative juices going!
Thank you for stopping by Petticoats & PIstols!
Such a great post, Pam! Can’t wait to read about Christiana! As for skills – I’m pretty good at baking tasty treats. And I tend to be a problem solver. Thanks for sharing this with us!
I’ve never tasted any of your cooking, Shanna, but if your recipes are anything to go by, I just know you’d be a great cook for either sweet or savory treats! I didn’t know you were a problem solver, but I also know you have an amazing work ethic. Not just anyone can write 100 books, you know. Certainly not me. Ha!
Thanks for stopping by!
Pam, I love your heroine already!! This is going to be a fun story. I love when women characters are a little on the shady side, independent, and smart. A woman like this would have a hard veneer but underneath a heart of gold. The defiant angle of Belle’s chin says she’s been hurt once but never will again. She’s got a lot of fight in her and she won’t apologize. I can’t wait to start my story and finding out exactly who Fancy is. My only skill seems to be crafting stories. I hate to cook, hate to clean. Suzy homemaker I’m not!
LOL – well, crafting stories is certainly a skill that you’ve succeeded at, but you, too, have a heart of gold, and you are generous to a fault. No doubt your childhood shaped your outlook and generosity, just like my sense of organization did for me.
Thank you for stopping by!
Pam, what a lovely series to be a part of! Your story sounds wonderful! Congratulations!
Thank you, Cheryl!!
Pam- What a great blog. I learned so much. What a lady. She was spitfire for sure.
Sorry I’ve been MIA, I’ve been working really hard, plus my mom has been sick down in TX., so I’ve been worried about her. Thankfully she’s better.
What am I good at? I can castrate pigs really well, I worked with pigs for over 20 years. I can do everything pig related. From breeding to farrowing, you name it, I have done it.
Tonya, I admit I was worried about you. You’re one of our early birds and most loyal readers, and I missed you. But goodness, there are way more important things than a blog when you have so much more going on. I’m so glad your mom is doing better!!
Oh, gosh – I love that you’re good at pigs!! That’s a skill few can claim, and I’d love to see you in action with them!!
Thanks for taking a few valuable minutes to stop by!!
Thank you so much for sharing. I would say that one of my traits is encouragement. God bless you.
Encouragement totally fits you, Debbie! What a lovely skill to have.
Good morning. Sorry I missed your blog, I’ve had covid.
I love this history about Belle. I could picture myself being like her back in the day. Well some traits but not all. It would have been more fun to be like her than the average submissive woman of that time.
Oh, I heard you had Covid, Steph! I know it’s harder with MS, too. I hope you’re doing better by now. I don’t always see your posts on FB.
Great point about the submissive women at the time! Belle truly marched to her own drum. She didn’t care what others thought about her, but it was her gambling skills that kept her independent most of her life.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I’ve missed you.
I’m pretty good at cooking, photography & gardening & am proud to say I won a fair amount of blue ribbons at the country fairs.
Good for you! Those are truly lifelong skills, Lynn. Now that we’re retired, I’m doing more gardening and am enjoying it, but I can’t say I’m GOOD at it.
Congrats on those blue ribbons. They are testaments to your skills for sure!
Thanks for stopping by!
Pam, we have a little bit in common. I am the oldest of 6, and yes, the first 4 were born within a 6 year period with the last 2 coming close together. As with most children in that position, you learn to organize. I do really well organizing events, etc, but don’t look at my house. It is organized to a degree, but looks more like a warehouse (my husband’s words). I have what I need to put on and decorate for just about anything. I really need to get rid of some of this stuff, but you know, as soon as I do, I will need it.
I am going to look up that article on Belle. She sounds like an interesting, if not nice, person. I look forward to reading your book when it comes out.
Hi, dear lady! I had to smile at ‘warehouse’ – I admit that surprises me about you. You strike me as the type who would be very organized. But you know where everything is, and that’s the main thing.
Truly, though, the older I get, the less I need stuff. I don’t want my girls to deal with so much after we’re gone, so my husband and I are trying to keep ahead of the ‘stuff’ by giving away as needed. But I admit, I’m very attached to some things, and they are really hard to let go. Ha!
Thanks for stopping by!