National Doughnut Day

National Doughnut Day--June 2nd. Whether you're partial to the cream-filled, glazed, jelly or chocolate varieties, the doughnut is something near and dear to so many of us. While there are several stories (or call them myths) about how the doughnut (or donut) came about, the Salvation Army established National Doughnut Day in 1938 to raise funds during the Great Depression and honor the women volunteers, who supported the soldiers on the front lines during World War I by serving them delicious meals, and of course, doughnuts. Approximately 250 "lassies" provided assistance to American soldiers in France in 1917.

Today, women's role has expanded beyond ones more traditionally related to the hearth, such as providing food, to more active military roles. But the tradition of National Donut Day continues with many national chains and smaller shops are offering free doughnuts to celebrate.

Doughnuts have a disputed history. One theory suggests they were invented in North America by Dutch settlers. According to anthropologist Paul R. Mullins, the first cookbook mentioning doughnuts was an 1803 English volume which included doughnuts in an appendix of American recipes. By the mid-19th century, the doughnut looked and tasted like today’s doughnut,
and was viewed as a thoroughly American food.

The story I like the most is not about the donut, but the donut hole. A sailor supposedly pushed one of the treats onto a ship's wheel. It eliminated the raw center and temporarily freed his hands. Now you know why I said, myths.

While donuts may be most commonly associated with police stories (and more than one author has had their character stop for a midnight jolt of sugar), that is not the only way an author could incorporate an event such as National Doughnut Day. If writing a historical, the character could be one of the lassies. Or for later years, the descendant of one or find a letter written by one where they talk about a doughboy (yes I couldn't resist that) who was leaving for battle.

For myself, I'm celebrating. Instead of cereal, eggs and sausage, or a bagel, I'm reading my morning emails with a donut in hand.

More information on National Donut Day can be found at https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/national-donut-day/ .

Thanks for joining me. Until next time. ~Helen

June Tips and History #mfrwauthor

Welcome to this week's post of the MFRW 52-week challenge. The official topic is about authors write their characters, whether full-figured or always slim. I don't create my characters descriptions. They are who they are. Some, like Murdo from the Windmaster Novels is a giant of a man. Then there is Glyn of the Dragshi Chronicles whofor most of her life impersonated a male. However, I decided to go off-topic on the post and resurrect a June tips from years back. Enjoy.

One thing that is uniform among all genres is backstory. All characters have a past. They may not know it, or we may not want to reveal it, but there is one. While authors sometimes have their characters participate in a well-known event (such as Hurricanes Catrina and Superstorm Sandy or watching a horse race in the Belmont Stakes for the Triple Crown) that is not the only way events, both national and worldwide, can be brought into a character's past. 

June 6th is the anniversary of D-Day, the Allied forces invasion of Normandy.  For those writing in a future setting, the character could find an ancestor's personal letter written after the event. The loss of a family member as the numbers of the members of the greatest generation dwindle might be another item of backstory. The point is that the character does not have to be the one experiencing the event for it to be part of his or her past. There doesn't even have to be any personal relationship at all. The character might witness an elderly man riding up the street in a convertible or be stuck at a traffic light as a funeral goes by. An even more haunting usage is to be walking past as cemetery as the bugler plays the final tribute.

As you go through your daily life, keep an eye (or ear) open for celebrations, anniversaries, and commemorations. You never know what will tickle your interest and provide insight into your characters history. 

till next time ~ Helen

For more information on D-Day, look up the National World War II Museum or visit dday-overlord.com.

 

To the next generation #mfrwauthor

It's week 51. Only one more week to go in this year's challenge. Thanks for hanging in there with us. This week's topic is "What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?"

First off, while I practice "pass it along" and try to help the next generation of writers as I was helped, I don't like to give "advice" as such. Writing is just too individual an activity and our readers are just as varied.

There are books filled with advice of how to write the best seller. Sometimes the information is valuable, other times it's just common sense. It could make you rich or fill the coffers of the one who wrote the book. However, after filtering through all the advice I've given, or received, over the years, I'll just give one. For other "words of wisdom" see the other posts in the challenge.

When you start putting thoughts to paper or sit down at a keyboard, eventually there is a question you have to answer for yourself, because no one else can. Do you write for fun, to make a living, or because you “can’t not write.” The answer can help guide you to the publication method that works best for you. Today’s writers have a wide variety of paths to publications.

Listen to your muse to see where she (or he) will take your imagination. And if they talk to you, don't forget to listen to your characters.

Writing may be hard and solitary but don’t give up.  
 

~till next time, keep writing and may the muse visit you fruitfully and often. Helen

Update:
Mary McCoy-Dressel
Robin Michaela 

Xpost - Social Media Monday

2015 is just around the corner. Time for the initial planning of your promotion, your releases, and your social media world. Stop by the Write Conversation at thewriteconversation.blogspot.com/2014/12/social-media-mondayhow-facebook-changes.html for insights into how proposed changes can affect you as an author. 

~Till next time. Helen

XPost - Organizing Your Writing Life

As authors we live split lives. We are more than just writers, today we are publishers, marketing and public relations people, and editors in addition to the creative side. What kinds of things do authors need to keep on their calendars? How can they stay organized and on top of things? There are two basic types of info to track on a calendar -- personal and professional.

Learn more at: What to Keep on Your Calendar by Kayelle Allen at MFRWorg

The Redcoats are Coming, The Redcoats are Coming

As a historian, I always try to make the point that while every facet about history isn't known, it is a writer's responsibility to their readers to be as accurate as possible--and that the duty also applies to fiction writers. And not just authors whose characters live in settings now a distant memory. Yesterday, whether recent or long gone, can creep into fiction whether it is the town the character walks through, their family history, or an event that set the future in motion.

 One fun way to research is with a road-trip to a historical site. Another way to learn history--watch first person interpreters at work and play. Or you can combine the two with a reenactment at a historic site. While small encampments offer the opportunity for more intimate contact, larger events such as the Battle of Gettysburg for the Civil War or the Revolutionary War Battle of Monmouth offer other advantages including cavalry and artillery units.

Tips on how to approach such a day will be discussed in a future post, but it doesn't have to be a solitary event. While the ideas presented at  www.njfamily.com/NJ-Family/June-2013/Watch-a-Reenactment-of-the-Battle-of-Monmouth are for a specific event, they can be applied elsewhere.

This year the Battle of Monmouth reenactment is being held June 15-16. More than 1,000 re-enactors will be encamped at the Monmouth Battlefield State Park to drill, demonstrate, and recreate Revolutionary War battle tactics.  You can watch meals prepared over wood fires, see officers training infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and smell the gun smoke as British and Continental armies do battle. More information on the re-enactment and a schedule of the days' events can be found at www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/monbat_re-enact-index.html.  An $8 per vehicle donation to defray the costs of the weekend. If you go be sure to check out the newly-renovated visitor center.

 

Although I've attended the reenactment in period garb and mingled with the civilian re-enactors, this year I'll be in the crowd watching, camera and notepad in hand.

Till the next time. Helen