"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Monday, January 30, 2012

"After all… tomorrow is another day!”

I've been pretty busy writing and working, and didn't have a chance to put a blog post together this week. I am re-posting an old blog post from last March 22, 2011. I've never re-posted before. This is the first time. I hope you will enjoy it - again. This post is about an author and her one giant story...


"After all… tomorrow is another day!”

I recently watched the epic movie, Gone With The Wind. Over the span of my life, I would say that this viewing would land somewhere around number 20 for me. The movie is a marathon, so I watched it in three separate sittings. The last time I watched the entire movie all at one time was on a transatlantic flight from Brussels, a year and a half ago. Even though I’ve seen the picture many times, I still love to dip into the lives of Scarlett, Rhett, Ashley, Melanie, and Mammy…over and over again. A familiar setting and familiar characters. 
“Dreams, dreams always dreams with you, never common sense.”
Even though I’m a northern gal, I always get chills when I read the words...Margaret Mitchell’s story of the old south...as the infamous main theme rises and the sweeping, windy-looking letters crawl across the screen…Gone…With…The…Wind...
“Oh Fiddledee dee!”
Twice I’ve read this incredible novel of the Civil War old south. The book was written by Margaret Mitchell and published in 1936. The book was such an enormous success that George Platt Brett, President of Macmillan Publishing, gave all of his employees an 18% bonus that year! Incredible! In 1937, Ms. Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel. Amazing success! The movie version was released in 1939. The film was a huge sensation and took home many Oscars that year including, Best Picture, Best Actress - Vivian Leigh, Best Supporting Actress - Hattie McDaniel, Best Director - Victor Fleming…and competed against other great movies that year such as, Wuthering Heights, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and the Wizard of Oz.

"Whatever happens, I'll love you just as I do now until I die."
As the story behind the story goes, Margaret Mitchell had broken her ankle and while bedridden, wrote the manuscript. Now imagine if she hadn’t broken her ankle. I wonder if there would have been a story at all. Or would there be a different story? I find it interesting that she was given a time to write, a season, or perhaps we could call it a blessing in disguise. In any case, she took it on, writing one of the top selling classics of all time.
“You still think you're the cutest trick in shoe leather.”
They say that GWTW is the only book that she ever wrote, although an unpublished manuscript was found later in with some old letters in her things. How could she ever top GWTW?? She had this one giant story, this epic tale of war and romance in her - and perhaps it wouldn’t have been told, or told quite differently had she not broken her ankle.
“It ain't fittin'... it ain't fittin'. It jes' ain't fittin'... It ain't fittin'.”
Sadly, in 1949, Margaret Mitchell was struck by a car and died 5 days later. The man who hit her was a taxi driver but driving his own car. He was cited for drunken driving and served time in jail on manslaughter charges. Some say, Ms. Mitchell stepped off of the curb without looking.   
“As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again!”
As an author, Ms. Mitchell’s first and only published novel was her one big novel…her magnum opus as Charlotte (yes, I talking about the spider) would call it. She had been given a time to write and used it well.


Have you been given a time or a season to write? Would you rather have one gigantic triumphant book or several modestly successful novels? I would love to hear from you. 
Between you, me and the gatepost,
Loree 


Don't forget to stop by next week for the Civil War Bivouac! Have a great week!


Monday, January 23, 2012

Baby steps...baby steps...

I’ve had a whirlwind of a few weeks since the New Year turned over. I want to thank you all for the kind comments on last week's post. I'm truly humbled.

Since signing with my agent, Mary Sue Seymour, I’ve been really thinking about social media—promoting author friends, the craft, and myself. Up to this point in my writing journey, I really didn’t need to promote myself—just connect. As I take another step forward, I find that I must start considering all the options available to me.

Baby steps…baby steps.

Up to now, I didn’t feel that I needed an author Facebook page. Soon after I began blogging, I began to get requests on my personal fb page from fellow authors and followers. I had to politely decline the requests. The family rule was that my personal Facebook is for immediate friends and family only. I had promised my husband and kids that I wouldn’t allow everyone in on my personal page. They felt that if I did, they couldn’t be themselves with strangers looking in on our lives. I was worried to allow it because I’m a private person when it comes to my real life—and my kids.

Well, last night I finally did it. I now have a Facebook “author page” of my own. I don’t have to worry about my writing life mingling with my private life. It’s new and under construction, but it’s there—I know you can feel that shameless plug coming—wait for it…wait for it—I hope you will visit my brand new Facebook author page:

Loree Huebner, Author  & click “like”.

I feel like I’m entering a new phase on my journey. There's so much to learn...

What do you think of having an author fb page? Do you have one? What do you like most about it? Do you have any great tips to offer me to get started on the page? If you don’t have one yet, are you considering it?

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

Monday, January 16, 2012

Representation...


It’s been a long road on this writing journey, and I can finally say—I have an agent!

It all started last October when I began to query my project. I had a feeling about this book. I had taken the novel out, dusted it off, and polished it up. Right away, I got a request for a partial. Within a few weeks, I got a note from the agent suggesting a few revisions to the beginning. She said that once the revisions were completed, she would like to see the full manuscript. I made the requested changes and sent the full manuscript off the week before Thanksgiving.

I didn’t hear a peep until Friday, January 6th, when I received an email from the agent advising me that the book was up for a final read. Final read?
This was it. It was in her hands.

Late Saturday (the next day) afternoon, just as I was getting ready to leave for work—I got the call.

Now, I’ve heard about these calls, and I’ve read plenty of blog posts on getting the call. I believe every aspiring author has dreamed of and rehearsed that call over and over. I had. I’ve got to say, it’s everything and nothing like I thought it would be!

I was downing a cup of coffee when the phone rang. Eric and I looked at each other. I walked over to the phone. When I saw SEYMOUR on the caller ID, I smiled. I may have squealed.

Mary Sue Seymour was calling me!

I have to admit, I didn’t hear much after—“I’m printing up a contract now.”

Somehow, I managed to ask her—“What did you think of the book?”

Now I knew to listen here, and she didn’t disappoint. She liked it a lot! She sounded very excited about it. She told me personally that “I like your story telling/characterizations a whole lot! You are a very gifted author.” Mary Sue was fun, a real joyful spirit, and genuinely thrilled for me as she shared in my happiness…I heard it in her voice.

After the call, Eric had to drive me to work. He knew I wouldn’t be able to drive safely. I called my kids.

A whole new path is in front of me—I proudly signed a contract with the Seymour Agency last Wednesday. I’ve crossed a huge milestone on my writing journey. I know the road ahead will not always be easy, but I’m ready, and I have an awesome agent by my side.

With the contract, Mary Sue sent me a card with my favorite Proverb on it:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree


I also won another blog award - THE GREAT COMMENTS AWARD. This one is from the lovely and talented, Carol Riggs. Visit her blog - Artzicarol Ramblings - she always has something great going on over there. 


Monday, January 9, 2012

JOY!

FYI- I've been told by a few friends that they are having trouble leaving a comment on my blog. Hopefully, Blogger will get this fixed. 


Happy Monday everyone! Next week, I’ll have some news to share with you. This past weekend, I’ve crossed a huge milestone on my writing journey. The only thing I can say right now is that it’s somewhat connected with one of my old blog posts that all began on Mother’s Day 2011.


Oddly, as I looked back today, I found that this old blogpost from May 17, 2011, is called—An old book…a new feeling of joy

What an awesome coincidence… Joy!

Since the beginning of January, I’ve read and commented on several blog posts that suggest not to make resolutions, but to pick one personal word for 2012.

I picked JOY.

Last year, no doubt, my word was TRUST.

At the New Year, I chose JOY as my 2012 personal word because those moments of pure joy are few and far between. I’m one who tends to hold in my emotions instead of allowing them to flow. This year, it’s going to flow. I find joy in a sunset, the smile on my husband’s face, and watching my retired greyhound take a few laps around the yard. I find joy in blogging, writing, and reading. I find joy in the sunny days, rainy afternoons, and starry nights. I find joy in watching my grown kids, still goofy enough to have a spontaneous kitchen dance party or spatula wars.

This year the joy of living is going to flow every day!

What about you? Did you pick a personal word for 2012? What resolutions did you make? Do you allow yourself to really feel the joy of living every day?

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

 

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Monday, January 2, 2012

The Civil War Bivouac ~ Kentucky and the Battle of Mill Springs

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. 2012 is here. It’s so hard to believe. A new year…a new beginning.

Before we get to this month’s Civil War Bivouac, I just wanted to share a picture of the Christmas present that Eric and I received from our kids. They had our first Civil War article framed. The 10 page article was published last June in the Indiana Historical Society’s magazine – Traces. It’s so awesome to have it framed! Just had to share.





The Civil War Bivouac with Eric and Loree Huebner

Eric and I did and reenactment of the Battle of Mill Springs in Nancy, Kentucky, not too long ago. The reenactment took place on the original battlefield which left us with a deep feeling of being connected to the past. The place was in stunning horse country with rolling hills and rich farmland.

The one thing that sticks out in my memory is the sky the second night. The stars in the heavens were just amazing. We were with the artillery at this reenactment doing a night cannonade for the spectators, and we were all awestruck by the starlit sky. Thousands and thousands of stars twinkled down at us. I had never seen the Milky Way so bright…it flowed from one end of the sky to the other like a sparkling river of ribbon. What a beautiful sight!

The history was so thick on that land where the battle took place that you could almost reach out and touch it…I did...I was there.


Eric (Private Sven) and the boys
Mill Springs

Kentucky and the Battle of Mill Springs – January 1862

At the beginning of the Civil War, the situation in Kentucky teetered precariously. President Lincoln believed that the state was critical, “I think to lose Kentucky is nearly the same as to lose the whole game.” As a border state and a slave state, the commonwealth of Kentucky was divided. Prominent households like the Breckinridge and Crittenden families contributed their kin to both sides. Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were born in Kentucky. Confederate Brigadier General Benjamin Helm was President Lincoln’s brother-in-law. Pro-South Governor Magoffin was offset by the Pro-Union Legislature.


Loree (Private Lars) - the beauty of being with the artillery - no infantry drill at 7am
Mill Springs

 
Kentucky tried to walk a fine line by declaring neutrality, a status recognized formally by the Confederacy and tacitly by Federal authorities. Without permission, CSA General Polk violated the neutrality by occupying Columbus, a move promptly matched when U. S. Grant moved Union troops to Paducah. Rebel forces soon moved to Bowling Green and through the Cumberland Gap into Eastern Kentucky. The fact that Confederates were the first to “invade” Kentucky was used by Union sympathizers to officially throw Kentucky into the Union camp.
21st Indiana Light Artillery - Fire! Eric (Private Sven) on the right, hand on ear for blast protection
Mill Springs


In January 1862 Federal columns under Brigadier General George Thomas were converging in the eastern part of Kentucky. A small Southern army under General George B. Crittenden moved to attack the lead elements before Thomas could effect a concentration. The resulting Battle of Mill Springs was typical of many early battles. The initial rebel attack was sharply contested and each side brought up reinforcements. At a critical moment, CSA General Felix Zollicoffer was killed and his soldiers began to give way. Many Southern soldiers found that many of their antiquated flintlock muskets would not operate in the rain. General Thomas order a counter-attack and the Confederates retreated in confusion from the field.


Loree at the Zollicoffer Tree - the place where General Zollicoffer died.
Mill Springs


In the aftermath of this small, but important battle, the shattered Rebel army fled across the Cumberland River, losing much of their equipment and large numbers to desertion. Union General Thomas emerged as an important leader and the North gained a much needed victory.

The following video I have posted before. It is the 21st Indiana Light Artillery at Mills Springs. We are helping to repel the Confederate infantry attacking the fence rail. Yep, that's me, gunner number 4, in position, arm in the air, trying my best to put on my "manly" soldier's voice - "Gun number two ready!" and pulling the lanyard - Boom! 






My Old Kentucky Homeby Stephen Foster (1826-1864), most likely composed in 1852.
Some say Foster took the heart of his inspiration from Harriett Beecher Stowe's 1851 bestseller Uncle Tom's Cabin, and hoped to exploit its popularity. 

According to Wikipedia, Abolitionist Frederick Douglass believed the song stimulated "the sympathies for the slave, in which anti-slavery principles take root and flourish."

The song described originally an everyday scene on a slave plantation and was a beloved song in racist minstrel shows. It was also a song sung by soldiers during the Civil War.

My Old Kentucky Home is the official song of the Kentucky Derby.

My Old Kentucky Home” became the official state song of Kentucky on March 19, 1928 by an act of the Kentucky legislature, but, by 1986, opinions had changed on the appropriateness of the lyrics. Carl Hines, the only black member of the Kentucky House of Representatives, was quoted as saying that the lyrics "convey connotations of racial discrimination that are not acceptable". Within days, Hines was sponsoring a bill to revise the lyrics, and, with the passage of House resolution 159, the word "darkies" was changed to "people".

The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home
'Tis summer, the people are gay;
The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day;
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy, and bright,
By'n by hard times comes a-knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!
Chorus
Weep no more, my lady,
Oh weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the old Kentucky home far away.
They hunt no more for the 'possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by that old cabin door;
The day goes by like a shadow o'er the heart,
With sorrow where all was delight;
The time has come when the people have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!
Chorus
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the people may go;
A few more days and the trouble all will end
In the field where sugar-canes may grow;
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, 'twill never be light,
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, good night!
Chorus

Here is a beautiful version by Paul Robeson singing “My Old Kentucky Home” on youtube – sung with the old lyrics.



Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree and Eric