I have always loved the west. The history. The lives of those who settled there and what they endured. The ruggedness. Whenever my husband and I plan a trip, we always head west. Now, while I love history and the west, I’d only written one historical romance, The Trail to Love, set on the Oregon trail.
Several years ago, a new book event came up – Wild Deadwood Reads. It had been a long time since I’d been to Deadwood, but I recall it being steeped in history. So, I thought, why not? I can combine selling books with staying in such an historical town.
Several events were planned. One was a ride on an 1880s train. The train trip ended in Keystone, another historic town. As our bus drove down the street, I saw a sign which read “The Balcony Girl.”
Boom, a story idea came to me. It would be set in Deadwood during the early years. Now, I didn’t know that much about Deadwood’s history, so I had to do what authors love to do – RESEARCH. I bought books (and read them all) on Deadwood. Books on the characters who lived there. I delved through pictures and got lost on the internet.
Finally, I was ready to start writing, but what year to start it in? I chose 1879 – the year a fire nearly destroyed the town. But what about a conflict? Brothels had what they called their “Balcony Girls.” They would stand on the establishment’s upper balcony in their scantily clad bodies, and call the men in.
Now prostitutes, or soiled doves, then as now, were held in the lowest esteem. Anyone, other than men, who associated with them was considered to be one of them. A “proper” woman would never acknowledge a prostitute without being scorned by society.
So, in June of 1879, Julia and Suzanne Lindstrom arrived in Deadwood from a farm in Minnesota. Suzanne was to be the new school marm. Julia came along to be with and take care of her sister. Can you imagine their thoughts when they first saw Deadwood, with its haphazard buildings, muddy streets, animals running wild, and rough men in the streets?
Julia is a seamstress, but how would she make a living in Deadwood where most of the population were men who wore their clothes until they were rags. She ends up doing what a “proper woman” would never do. She befriends a brothel madam and sews clothes for the women who work in the brothel. Of course, she has to keep what she is doing a secret – even from her sister. Not an easy task. And when a prospective suitor finds out . . . Well, you can imagine what happens.
The Balcony Girl is the first book in my “Darlings of Deadwood” series. I couldn’t stop with one book. Her sister, Suzanne, needed her own story. Then there was the sister of Suzanne’s suitor and owner of a hotel. Let’s not forget the nasty wife of one of the town’s bankers. My next one will be a female blacksmith. All strong women trying to find their way in the male-dominated west – and surviving.
When the sisters arrived, the town was still booming, but becoming more settled. Roads were still muddy, animals still roamed and Main Street divided into the ‘good side’ and the “Badlands” where the saloons and brothels were located. How would they survive?
Oh, by the way, that sign I thought said, ‘The Balcony Girl,’ actually read ‘The Balcony Grill.’
Order The Balcony Girl on Amazon.
I would love to give away one copy of “The Balcony Girl.”
To be considered to win a copy,
tell me an unusual job you’d like to see a woman in another “Darlings of Deadwood” would have.
Tina Susedik is the author of forty books and anthologies including romance, history, military, and children’s books.She is an award-winning, Amazon best-selling author, and the host of “Cover to Cover with Tina.”Find her online at: http://www.tina-susedik.com
Pharmacist or cheropodist.
That is a good one. I’ve never heard of a cheropodist. I’ll have to look that one up.
A Chiropodist is similar to a Podiatrist in that both treat people who have a foot problem. It is the older term and is still more common in some countries. 🙂
Women doctors were not well received. that is a good one.
It is a good. Reminds me of the western tv show with the woman doctor – Dr. Quinn.
Maybe a banker
Horse breaker/trainer
I like this one. I can already picture her. Maybe she pretends to be a man. Hmmmmm.
sheriff, hair dresser, shop owner, minister, pony express rider, healer, bakery owner, veterinarian, jewelry maker, artist, seller of produce or eggs, or plants, doctor, dentist, bounty hunter, actress
You’ve given me several ideas. Thanks.
Lumber Mill owner, Feed Store owner.
Both of these are great ideas. Can you imagine men back then buying feed from a woman?
Blacksmith or farrier
The one I’m working on now is called The Unconventional Blacksmith. I’m having fun writing it.
cool
Cowboy (girl)
Good one.
A preacher!
Oh, yeah. Women were certainly kept from men’s jobs, weren’t they?
undertaker
That would be interesting.
Veterinarian.
I do have an idea for one with a woman vet.
Pub owner.
This would be interesting if she tried to run it with no liquor.
thank you for sharing this wonderful post. I would love to read this series. I think a job for a woman would be: blacksmith / woodworker / doctor / sheriff / café manager / mercantile owner
Thank you. My next book in the series is called “The Unconventional Blacksmith. Sheriff would be interesting.
Cattle trader.
This is a good one, too.
I would suggest a sheriff or deputy, definitely a doctor, Minister, stage coach driver, bull rider,
I like the bull rider, but I’d have to research to see if they had bull riders in 1879 in Deadwood.
Hi Tina, welcome to P&P. We’re so happy to have you. I love the premise of The Balcony Girl. I’ve never heard them called a specific name and that’s so interesting. My suggestion for an occupation might be a singer like in a saloon. Wishing you tons of success. Enjoy your visit.
Thank you for having me today. I’m loving all the suggestions for jobs. I was traveling this afternoon and am finally home, so I can catch up with comments.
We’re there ever any female bartenders or saloon owners? That would certainly be, or at least seem, unusual for that time period.
There were, but they were considered prostitutes – even if they weren’t. Awful, right?
Hi your books sounds like a great read and I love the book cover it is beautiful! Thank you for sharing about how you came up with your book series! How about a Curandera? ( Curandera a female folk healer or medicine woman who uses herbs )
That would be interesting . I never heard of a Curandera before. I can imagine she would be considered a witch or something.
I almost fell out of my chair laughing so hard. You mistakenly reading the sign wrong!! I’ll have to tell my reading friends about you.
Those cowboys need a mail order bride or someone puts an ad in the paper needing a woman to work at the Balcony Grill. Of course they print it wrong they really need a Balcony girl. Haha! She could end up being a cook for a farmer who has a lot of helpers or children. Haha! I know I went crazy. I would love to read your book and thanks for the laugh.
Thank you.I love telling this story when I’m give talks. It always make people laugh.
Rancher, detective or doctor.
Ooo. A female detective. Maybe undercover.
Livery owner
Owner and editor of the town’s newspaper.
Another good one.
I would say a doctor or a singer!
Well, I hate to admit it, but I can’t think of anything that hasn’t already been mentioned! Nobody actually said Midwife, but they said doctor, healer, etc. Wagon Train Mistress, instead of Master? Of course, that far west, I don’t know if they needed one to get to Oregon or Washington or Northern California. Silver or Gold Mine Operating Manager? Or Assayer?? Scraping the bottom of the barrel here for an idea!! Logging Boss? She’d definitely have to pretend to be a man for THAT job!! Anyway, I love the way you came up with the name of your book! Lol
I am going to say a midwife would be a good thing, because they would need one at some time. That is if there is a brothel in town.
I am pretty sure it would likely never happen, but a woman being an undertaker would be most unusual. She could likely start out helping her father or husband and then take over the practice. I don’t know that it would be a very good job to feature in a romance, but it would be unusual.
Hi Tina, Loved your post. A bartender would be a interesting profession for a woman. Enjoy your books.