A library is the delivery room for the birth of ideas, a place where history comes to life. ~Norman Cousins
I’ve told you before how much I owe to libraries in helping to form me into a writer of books. Without my regular trips to the library when I was a kid, I doubt I would have found as much success in sharing my stories with readers like you. It takes books to grow a writer. And in spite of owning few books, I held many in my hands. All because of the blessing of having a library in my town and a mother who would take me there. Books are to writers what sunshine is to plants.
So you can understand why I so happily accept invitations to libraries for book talks and other events. I’ll be visiting two libraries this month. Later this month, on August 25th, I’ll be at the Paul Sawyier Library in Frankfort for their “Gathering of Authors.” A roomful of writers will be ready to talk to readers about their books. But first, on Tuesday this week, August 7th, I’m off to Springfield, Kentucky to the birthplace of the idea for River to Redemption. .
One of the questions I’m asked the most wherever I go is “Where do you get your ideas?”
That’s a hard question to answer because ideas can come from everywhere for me. From other books. Stories in newspapers. The stories told to me. Places I’ve been. My characters as they share their stories. From my head. Out of the blue. That’s just to name a few ways I might get ideas for my stories.
Oftentimes, I can’t pinpoint what starts me down this or that story road. But with River to Redemption, I know exactly the initial idea that inspired me to write the story. Well, maybe not exactly since I can’t find the book with the story about Louis Sansbury and Springfield. I looked for it last week. I’m pretty sure this book that told little known stories about mostly unsung Kentuckians who had done remarkable things, is on my bookshelves or in a stack of books around here somewhere. But wherever the book is, I can credit it for introducing me to Louis and prodding my imagination to create a story around his real actions back in 1833 when he, a slave, buried the cholera victims in the town of Springfield, all fifty-five of them. The town of Springfield stars too as they repaid Louis for his actions with freedom.
So it is going to be fun to go to the Washington County Public Library in Springfield, Kentucky to talk about writing this story. I’m hoping that whoever might show up to listen to me talk about writing River to Redemption will understand my story is fiction wrapped around a nugget of truth. I also hope they will like how my story brought Louis to life. While Louis is not exactly a main character, the story still revolves around him. That’s why many readers mention Louis in reviews they write about the book, such as this Amazon review by A.R.S. “I really liked slave Louis, who is described in the book as an uncommon man who walked with the Lord. His love for people, no matter what color or who they were, was heartwarming.”
That was the Louis I imagined from the research I did after I discovered him in that book several years ago. An uncommon man. Plus the town of Springfield did an uncommon thing in buying his freedom. That’s what I hope to talk about when I visit the library in Springfield, Kentucky on Tuesday this week. If you’re in the area, come on out. We can talk books and history and fiction. I always enjoy hearing what you have to say.
Do you love libraries?
Comments 12
My Siblings and I spent many hours looking through books at our public library, from 1958. My sister was reading Sue Barton novels when she was in second grade. But our brother had to check them out for her, because the librarian thought she was too young to be able to read them. Back then, we had no tv, so it’s no wonder that the three of us loved to read. We read books the way many kids play video games today, in 2018. We are still avid readers today. I’m sure I’ve read well over a million books in my lifetime. My first book being Hansel and Grenell.
And a couple of days ago, I discovered your books. I just finished your book Angel Sister. I want to read Small Town Girl and Love Comes Home, because they are all in that series. But River to Redemption sounds so wonderful, I decided to read it next, before I found the two books that go with Angel Sister. By the way, I gave that book a five star rating. I love it. My daughters and I share ebooks, so they will love Angel Sister as much as I do. I’m so glad I found your books. Since I’ve become disabled, I can no longer go to our library, so I put my books on my iPad. They are so much handier, because I can no longer carry hard back books around. I can only walk on a walker, and only a few steps even with that. But with my iPad, I’m carrying about 500 books around to read. I’ve made a list of as many of your books as I could find, and I intend to read them all! God bless you, and thank you for the awesome books you have produced.
Author
So good to hear from you, Bessie. Those e-readers are amazing gizmos, aren’t they? You can have a whole library right in your hands. I’m glad that works well for you. While I do read on my Kindle app and sometimes on my Nook, I like having a paper book better. Nevertheless, I understand how helpful the e-readers can be for people like you who can’t hold a heavy book and for those with problematic eyesight.
A million books would be a lot, but when you’ve read all your life the way you have, then a million is in reach. I love to read too and read every chance I go t when I was a kid. Do you and your siblings discuss the books you’ve read? My sisters and I have book talks sometimes.
So glad you discovered my books and even happier that you like my stories. Angel Sister is a book of my heart since the story has so many echoes of my mom’s growing up years in it. I do hope you will enjoy the other Rosey Corner books too. I loved writing about the Merritt sisters. I appreciate your five star rating. Love seeing those stars colored in. 🙂
Hope you will like River to Redemption too. Thanks for writing and letting me know you are reading my books. That makes me smile.
I loved your comments. I have always liked books and reading. I particularly enjoyed the following … “And in spite of owning few books, I held many in my hands. All because of the blessing of having a library in my town and a mother who would take me there. Books are to writers what sunshine is to plants.” It is so great that you take the time to visit libraries! Thanks!
Author
Thanks, Loretta. It’s always interesting when somebody pulls a couple of lines out of something I wrote. Somehow, maybe because somebody liked it, makes it sound better than when I penned it. Life without books wouldn’t be nearly as good for me.
Like you, I had a wealth of books through the County Library while I was growing up. The bookmobile from the County Library was my all time favorite. It was an exciting day when it would show up in our community and at our two-room country school here in the Splitlog Community in the southwest corner of Missouri. Wonderful memories. Now…I have my own library that I add to frequently with books such as yours. Thanks for writing them!
Author
I appreciate you adding my books to your library, Connie. I think many readers have a dream of owning a library like you see in storybooks with that ladder you can slide around to reach the top shelves. 🙂 I’m happy with my bookshelves, except I need more of them! I love the name of your community in Missouri – Splitlog. I’m guessing that might have once been a logging area. And library day was always a fun day for me too.
I love libraries. My fondest memories are of when my mother used to take us on the bus to visit the old library in Elgin, Illinois. I loved all the nooks and crannies and couldn’t wait til I was old enough to get my own card. Now the new library, which was built after I got married, is old!
Every time I move , one of the first things I do is go to get a library card! And I get to know the workers personally. They know my name!
Wish I could be at your book event. River of Redemption is another of my favorites! Have fun!
Author
Wish you could be there too, Paula. Love the pictures your words pulled up about the nooks and crannies of the library you visited as a kid. A library is a good place to have people know your name. Library cards are the ticket to so many wonderful places. So glad you liked River to Redemption. I’m looking forward to talking about it tonight while a little worried the town historians are going to show up and tell me this or that I made up didn’t happen. They’ll be right. LOL.
Ohhh, I absolutely love libraries! My grandmother started college after I was born, to become a teacher. I was quite literally her first student. When I was about 8 or so, she went back to finish her Master’s degree to become a librarian. I went with her and spent hours in the EKU library. I considered it pure heaven. The following summer I helped her set up her new library at Paint Lick Elementary. That’s the year I discovered biographies. So I guess you could say I sort of grew up in a library. One of my first jobs was as a library clerk. And now I spend every summer working with my local library’s outreach program, offering lunch and story time to local children.
Words of wisdom from my grandmother include, “you can’t be bored as long as you have books!” and “if you want to know about something, ask a librarian”.
I wish I could visit tomorrow, but I’m definitely planning on seeing you in Frankfort on the 25th. Have a blessed week, Ann!
Author
I’ll look forward to seeing you at the Gathering for Authors (and readers) in Frankfort, Lavon. I can see why you love libraries. Good thing that you did like books or you might not have enjoyed spending that much time at the libraries. But you had a double bonus – a grandmother and books. 🙂
I’ve heard that saying about librarians before too. Good advice. A helpful librarian is a good friend to any writer or reader.
I do love libraries and if I was there I sure would attend your book talk on the 7th. That is my birthday and I can’t think of a better way to spend it.
Author
Well, happy almost birthday, Melanie. I know you would be right there ready to ask some questions during the Q & A time. That’s my favorite time of any talk – when I let those in attendance join in with their comments. But you told me how you’ve surprised authors by showing up at their events. Mine is a little far away, but maybe someday I’ll be in your area. You never know.