#thewritepath Day 2 Where do I start? When I first began writing I had no intention of focusing on historical. My first manuscripts were contemporary and speculative, but as I’ve learned over the years, sometimes the story finds you. In June of 2013 I was in Chicago. On one rainy day, I visited the Museum of Science and Industry. When I entered the building the first thing that caught my eye was a biplane tethered to the ceiling with a mannequin hanging off the wing. Curious, I went to look at the exhibit. The plaque in front of the display read “Ethel Dare” and described her time as a 1920s wingwalker. Right then and there, I knew I had to learn more. Ethel’s story would lead me to other early twentieth century female wingwalkers and the story idea for NOTHING BUT SKY was born. In the months following, I spent my days learning everything I could about the Curtiss JN-4 biplane called a “Jenny” and how a mechanic would maintain a plane like that. The research that followed included everything from textiles used to design a gown in 1922, to how to make bathtub gin. It was a long, and sometimes daunting slog, but I knew research was key to making NBS work. It would still be five years, and a lot of doors closing, before NBS hit shelves, and although the journey was rough, I am so glad I stayed the course! #authorlife #writinglife #writerlife #storyteller #writingcommunity #bookcommunity #writersofinstagram #pathtopublication #igauthorlife #nothingbutsky #yahistoricalfiction https://www.instagram.com/p/B--G1pGAkXj/?igshid=mmvq1fxe6e4c
