The sap of my writer’s juices is flowing freely.  I admit I’m still freely stepping around my fiction project, kind of like Gene Kelly dancing around the puddles in “Singing in the Rain.”  But it won’t be long until, like Gene, I will be joyously tramping through those puddles with gleeful stomps.

For now, I continue to test the waters with some non-fiction projects.  I wrote two articles for the most recent issue of our local historical association’s newsletter.  Both involved some fairly extensive research and I became well acquainted with two very different men, each with varied WWI experiences.  The newsletter’s focus was on the anniversary of our country’s entrance into WWI, so there were many interesting articles dealing with the town’s involvement.  

Last week I interviewed two people affiliated with a longtime local business in an effort to document information for the historical association’s files.  A few decades ago, someone donated a scrapbook page filled with photos of this local business.  I was asked to see if I could get the story behind it.  I did some genealogical research prior to my interview and was able to furnish some information never known to these folks about their ancestors.  In turn they graced me with some interesting tales.  All in all, a win-win situation.

Today I’m off to interview a former faculty member for my project on our local school district.  I’m writing a history of said district and, frankly, I’m finding it fascinating.  People are so willing to give me their time and stories.  The research aspect of this project is a little daunting as I’ve had to really dig to find stuff.  But, for me, that makes it all the more enjoyable.  Plus I hit a home run recently when I unearthed some very early school board minutes (1906-1924).  They were very informative and helped me gain a solid perspective on how things were done in those days.

I have a few more interviews for the school project, waiting for some snowbirds to fly back to this area from their winter climes.  Then work will begin in earnest to frame the chapters, write the text and coordinate the photos.  I’m planning to finish the draft of that book by July 1st and shop it for publication.  Then I can focus on the fiction project.

For now, I’m happy to be writing again.