Today is Canada Day, National Postal Worker Day, and my Dad’s birthday which forms a triad of coincidence. My dad (and mom) was a postal worker for over thirty years, and his dad, my grandfather was born in Canada and growing up we had many relatives living there, so this day has always been a highlight in my year. This year, in addition to the semiquincentennial of our nation’s founding, we are also celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the postal service.
It was established during our country’s fight for independence and it is officially and nationally created in the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin was its first postmaster general. I waited in line at his post office in Philadelphia for a commemorative stamp cancellation. I’ve always had a strong connection to the post office, from hanging out in the back offices, sorting mail (unofficially, of course), testing the stampers, and collecting my own sets of stamps as my parents did. I still collect some stamps if they are of interest, and our kids have several sheet sets framed in their room.
Below, you will see some of the stamps that I have that commemorate and/or celebrate this country from the Founding to the Underground Railroad to Free Speech, and the many people who contributed to our potential.
To be honest, I’m not sure if that holds for writers.
One of my office spaces. (c)2022
I’ve recently read two book series, both fiction, both taking place during the same hundred years or so, period pieces, both murder mysteries and romance, and while there are things that I like and dislike about each of them, I am finding that I learn more about myself and my own writing as I pass my critical eye over them.
The second one is intriguing and interesting although full of (sometimes unnecessary) exposition and descriptions, as well as changing perspectives (not indiscriminately, but by chapters) with colloquial language and appropriate proprieties between gender and servant class relationships.
The same could be said of the first series in the cases of colloquialism, proprieties, and gender/servant class relationships. There is also a feeling of overabundance (in both series) of feminism that I find anachronistic for the time periods, but I could be relying on stereotypes myself to feel that way.
Similar things can be said about the first one, although the historical perspective is a bit more specific. I am more attached to the characters of the first series and I have not come to terms with the ending of the series. That’s not to say that the books’ conclusion was not satisfactory – it truly was, but I’m not ready for the series to be over and I am not competent myself in the time and geographical period to try my hand at fan fiction. And while I very much enjoy the second series, it has not captured my heart as much.
What does this have to do with writing?
Well, it has to do with the specific writing (or planning) of my book on my journey to and through Wales.
Some things I have added to my outline are:
Maps. It may be easier to describe my adventures if readers can see where I was geographically.
Historical perspective. Much of my relationship to Wales is counterbalanced by my research into the history of medieval Wales, which fostered a deeper understanding and connection.
History. Including some of the history of the places I traveled, especially how they related to my journey.
Multiple genres are okay.
Quotations at the beginnings of each chapter to sort of set the stage. I also like recipes and photographs (which these two series do not have) and I’m trying to decide if these would be appropriate for my book in any way. Perhaps in the case of recipes as an appendix.
My faith journey being a main part of the relationship, both secular faith and religious faith.
I’m sure that I will find more things to include as I hone in on the path my writing of this book should take.
*I’m interested in suggestions for a new title for this series going forward rather than Inspire and the month. Comment below, and don’t forget the links (found on the home page) for the Spotify comments and the Writing Challenge.*
First Day Issues and in the center a cancellation from the Benjamin Franklin Post Office in Philadelphia, a real post office in the coloinial style commemorating Franklin as the first postmaster general. (c)2016
Elvis Presley stamps
[All photos of stamps copyrighted to kbwriting and griffinsandgingernaps.wordpress.com]
Griffins and Ginger Snaps 