Plus ça change – March 16, 2026 A funny thing happened on the way to the keyboard this morning. We’ll see how it turns out. Writer boy wasn’t feeling particularly motivated. There are, of course, ups and downs. I’m reminded of an earlier career writing deeply technical training materials for software… Continue reading
Plus ça change – March 13, 2026 This is why I like research so much, it takes me down such interesting paths. Next up in my thinking will be the dedication of the yellow fever mortuary chapel, Dec 27, 1827. Père Antoine presided (he’s quite old). Marie was a major… Continue reading
Plus ça change – March 11, 2026 This is an inside joke from my critique group, a wonderful bunch of people. Every author dreams of thousands of readers of published novels. But we all start small. No draft survives the light of day. Polished words are not automatic. The author… Continue reading
Plus ça change – March 8, 2026 It’s a lovely day where we live, so I’ll be off on errands and walkabouts. Instead of writing, a quick little bit on the writing process. For Laveaux: Mother I have my half-baked plot, but I’m pantsing more. See A Holiday I know… Continue reading
Plus ça change – March 3, 2026 A novel has a protagonist, and a voice. This voice is the message, the tone, the point of view that characterizes and fills the novel, typically from the protagonist. Marie certainly has that voice, that of a powerful woman subject to oppression, and her… Continue reading
Plus ça change – February 19, 2026 I’ve mentioned these in passing before, I thought it would be good to call them out for the credit they deserve. I have characters who are going to walk down Rue d’Orleans to Père Antoine’s garden. I have a pretty good map of… Continue reading
Plus ça change – February 17, 2026 I’m about to write a chapter set during Mardi Gras, February 27, 1827. I have another before I get there, but hey, it’s Mardi Gras today. A friend sent me a link to a small krewe in the Tremé district that claims to… Continue reading
Plus ça change – February 16, 2026 I started plotting Laveaux: Mother, and then the holidays happened. We had a granddaughter visiting for Christmas, and I took a long break. Honestly, I’m ducking the task, because it’s not clear to me how to get to the end of the story…. Continue reading
Plus ça change – December 13, 2025 Marie was born in 1801. The US bought Louisiana Territory in 1803. Over time, Americans filtered into the city and took over from the French and Spanish. They brought with them Puritanical American attitudes towards slavery, which were far harsher. Marie grew up… Continue reading
Plus ça change – December 12, 2025 Is this thing on? I started working on Laveaux in June of 2024. I expected to write one novel. It turned into two. Marie is a fascinating character, and getting to know her in my imagination led to riches I did not expect…. Continue reading
