Several of you have asked me why I am writing a novel… Well, for those of you who don’t know me very well, let me introduce some of my history about history………..
I love the Old West.
Bit of a long history, suffice it to say I grew up on Highway 84 in La Honda, CA…
…where the Younger Brothers used to hang out after big heists…
…where the Stage ran through…
…and the Peek-a Boo Inn (yes, it is what it sounds like…), the eleven bars and three churches and one store were the standard, back in the day…
Then I went away to university, finished vet school…(had to be a hoss-doc, didn’t I?)…
…and lived in Placerville, CA on the Pony Express Trail…
So, I guess I was rather steeped in the Old West…
Well, things led to things and I made my way to New Zealand, where I’ve lived for the past 22 years…
…and have nearly finished my first novel…
…an 1860 fictional historical suspense with romantic elements…
… The Story…
…Aleksandra, trained in the Cossack arts from infancy by her father, finds herself alone and running to prevent her Pa’s killer from obtaining a secret which could allow world domination by the Czar. Disguised to most as a boy rider in 1860’s Utah Territory for the Pony Express, she finds in her “Californio” boss a strength to match her own and together they create a team that can overcome the odds.
I expect it to be completed by the end of March. I have an agent back East who is interested. I have been extremely true to the historical aspects, other than altering dates of a few incidents, and placing my heroine and hero into the scene, (not to mention having a FEMALE rider, which is not historically documented). I have the support of a leader within the Pony Express movement, so am running with it.
I want to give the history and land of the 1860’s Old West to people, especially to those who might never otherwise pick up a historical work. It might just make history buffs of them!
It’s about preservation and roots and … real heart and guts.
By the way, there’s a fantastic book on the Utah sites of the Pony Express Stations by Patrick Hearty and Joseph Hatch. It’s called The Pony Express Stations in Utah, and if anyone’s interested, let me know and I’ll get you Patrick’s contact! Patrick’s been unstinting in his assistance to me during the writing of my novel, as have so many other people!
We are heading for the states and the Pony Express Trail in July. It would be fantastic to be able to do book signings on the trail. Can it be published by then? I’m putting it out there! Going for it!
Good writing, all!
Regards and have a great day!
Lizzi