Jodie Wolfe – How Research Helps Define a Novel & a giveaway

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What reasons do you enjoy reading historical novels? Is it a certain time period? Perhaps you’re a big history buff. Or maybe you love the romance of bygone years, when things seemed simpler. Easier. Maybe less stressful. What is it that draws you to pick up a book? Many mention a great cover helps and back cover copy that tugs you into the story. For some, it’s the place, time, or story itself.

When I started out to write a series set in the town and surrounding area where I currently live, I didn’t know some of its vast history. The more I research, in fact, the more I realize of things not known. Honestly, I hadn’t planned on stepping away from penning books set in the Midwest until my husband suggested focusing a series closer to home.

During a recent tour of the original Brady Farm, a homestead dating back to the early 1700s near Newburg, Pennsylvania, I learned of Captain Samuel Brady. One article I read online likened him to Captain America because of his exploits. Some others considered him on the same level as Daniel Boone. Sam was the grandson of Hugh and Hannah Brady, who migrated from Ireland in 1738 and settled in south-central Pennsylvania. Sadly, the log cabin where Samuel was born in Shippensburg was torn down many years ago.

Known for his undertakings as a frontier scout and defender against Native Americans, he also fought in the American Revolutionary War. Samuel’s life and adventures are thought to have been the inspiration for James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans. I had never heard about this man until I took part in a private tour of his grandparent’s home.

While Samuel won’t likely be featured in any of the books I write, since it’s quite a bit earlier time period than I typically create, learning about the place the original Brady’s built fits into my current work in process. Especially one tidbit the guide mentioned about the trail from the farm to Middle Spring, which led to Shippensburg. I’d been trying to learn the path that locals would’ve taken from Newburg to Shippensburg. That one small comment during the tour helped me form a clear picture of the details I needed.

Sarah’s Search will be available early summer, Lord willing. This is book three in my Time to Come Home series. Each book has required more and more research as I learn more about the place where I live. It’s been such fun diving into history.

How about you? When’s the last time you learned something new about the place where you live? What’s the next history search you plan to undertake? Please share it with us. I can’t wait to hear about it.

Be sure to comment for a chance to win an ebook of Hannah’s Quest, book two in my current series.

 

 

 

 

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschool mom. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Jodie creates novels where hope and quirky meet. Visit her at http://www.jodiewolfe.com.

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29 thoughts on “Jodie Wolfe – How Research Helps Define a Novel & a giveaway”

  1. Even though a part of kansas was part of the dust bowl Nebraska wasn’t. Too far north or at that time it did get enough rain. Just find that interesting since the state has both beef and crops.

  2. We live right next to Choctaw Ridge and there is a great deal that I would like to know about the land there but there are signs that declare that it belongs to the Choctaw Nation and is private property. No one around here knows who lives on that property or even how many people are there. A neighbor walked down the dirt road just to look around but Native Americans came on four-wheelers and escorted them off. Though I may have a lot of curiosity about the history of the place, I will always respect their privacy.

    • Hopefully you’ll be able to get in contact with someone who knows more about the property. I didn’t think I’d get a chance to see the property that I mentioned in this article because it’s also private property. But the Lord opened doors for me to see it.

  4. growing up in the area I have heard many things about the people and places – but hubs family cemetery is the best source of information – like a female relative that only lived 5 years was named America!

  5. welcome today. I haven’t yet researched where I live. I was so busy with a young family and other responsibilities that it got put on the side. now I am retired and I find I am still very busy. but I would love to find out. I grew up on a ranch and fell in love with westerns. Zane Gray was my first real big read into westerns and I just love the history and the work ethics and the family that is involved. I love the way that men and women share what they know to make life better.

  6. I love researching things. I usually get my research desires from books I read when I say I wonder.

    • For the current book I’m writing, I have three different historians who have been helping me with my research. I’m featuring two different towns – Shippensburg and Newburg, so two of the ladies have their area of expertise with these. My other contact knows about what was Shippensburg State Normal School, which also plays a vital part of my story. I’ve learned so much from all three of these ladies.

  8. I love learning history of our small town. It turns 250 years old this year, which I just learned recently. It was the first spa town and George Washington actually owned property and visited here. My husband’s grandfather was part of the local CCC camp and helped build the state park in our county. We are close to lots of historical sites from the Civil War. We also have a small castle. It’s a fantastic place to live.

  9. We live in Northern Indiana and I was really surprised at how much of the Revolutionary War took place here in Southern Indiana. Thank you for sharing with us today.

  10. This is not new-to-me news, but since the anniversary was a few days ago, I’ll mention it. The famous, and also the infamous, members of the Booth family are from my town. I have visited the Tudor Hall home of the Booth family. It’s now a museum, but it wasn’t when I visited the Gothic Revival home.

    Many members of the family were actors, and there’s a mural at the post office featuring Edwin Booth.

  11. Jodie, welcome back! We always love when you come. As a writer, I’m always researching something and I love doing it because of the surprising things I find. But, it’s my downfall. I’m always jumping down rabbit holes and spend hours and hours. I’m always learning things about each place I live. The real and true Ransom Canyon is only 20-something miles from where I live. It’s where Comanches and Apaches met Comancheros each Spring to buy…and sell white captives. I visit often and always feel the “spirits” of those people. There’s a heaviness there and a sadness that still lingers over the land and small lake down there in the canyon. This land my town is built on was often trod by Native Americans and sometimes I hear their voices whispering in the wind.

    Congrats on the new book! Wishing you much success and happiness. Enjoy your visit.

    • Hi Linda! Great to be back again. I know what you mean about spending hours down rabbit holes while researching. 🙂 Glad I’m not the only one. Thanks for sharing about the history near you. I can easily picture it by your description!

  13. Several years ago I attended an event locally and was told why some local areas were named what they were called (historical reasons) and some history where some 1800s criminals had hid. It was very interesting.

  14. There is a old car race track around here and you can here them on Friday nights. So my husband took me close to where it was at and I have lived here for about 40 years.

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