Where I've Been, Where I'm Going

Last week I dragged my husband and son on a road trip through Nebraska for my first official research trip. We traveled the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, stopping at museums along the way, and ended up at Scotts Bluff National Monument, an area of stunningly beautiful rugged bluffs in western Nebraska.

From there we drove southeast, enjoying the scenery of rugged hillsides, then east along Interstate 80, stopping at various state parks and recreation areas along the way.

This literal journey is part of a figurative journey I have been on for the past several months, researching and planning for a historical verse novel I am going to write this year, as well as a modern fairy tale retelling. Both set in Nebraska, and both for middle grade readers.

I came home from this trip with a wealth of information and inspiration, as well as two new books, a dozen postcards, lots of notes, and over a hundred photos on my iPhone. There is nothing now to stop me from writing that historical fiction verse novel besides my own fear of trying something new.

Like the pioneers that settled Nebraska well over a century ago, I will forge ahead, using their strength, resilience, and determination as my fuel.

Here I go!