In my writing process, I don’t specifically seek out ideas, so much as I come upon them, serendipitously. But once I come upon the germ of an idea I do my research, mostly exploratory reading. I seek books, and articles, and build, in my librarian-like fashion, a library on the topic. Mind, even when I do this that does not mean I go on to write a novel (or short story) based on the subject. What it does mean is that I learn a lot of things, random things, if you will. That said, these odd facts are very useful when there is a lull in table conversations. It also fools people into thinking I know a lot about things, when in fact I merely know a curious fact.
In 2024 there were three things in particular that engaged my odd attention, Abraham Lincoln, the great Silver Crash of 1893, and rats.
They are not connected.
As you might guess there is a vast library about Lincoln, and it’s easy to find unusual bits of information about him. One description of this very tall and lanky man stuck in my mind. It was said of him (I don’t recall who said it) that “he looked like a grasshopper trying to stand up.”
The other curious fact that remains in my mind is about his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, who was a famously difficult person. On the very morning that Lincoln was to leave Springfield and go to Washington D.C. to be inaugurated — a major moment in US history — she lay on the hotel floor and refused to get up until Lincoln promised to appoint someone (who had given her a present) to some post in his new government. Lincoln gave in. I don’t know who that person was, or what position he gained. It probably was no more than postmaster in some obscure town.
Rats. I learned that rats can laugh (truly) and that April 4th of each year is “National Rat Day.” I’m not at all sure what one is supposed to do on that day. Maybe you should dress up for “World Rat Day” which is celebrated on the same day. I did learn that rats are very social creatures and share a lot of biology with humans — which is why they are used for so many medical experiments. Also, lots of people keep rats as much-loved pets. Indeed, the writer, Jerry Spinelli (when I knew him) had a pet rat.
As for the great Silver Crash of 1893, it has particular meaning for the State of Colorado (where I live) because much of the economy then was based on mining. But that “crash” led to the first national economic depression, which in those days was called a “panic.”
What I learned (and still do not understand) is that there was political entwinement with the desire to keep silver as part of the national financial system and the growing suffragette movement.
As it happened, silver stopped being bought by the US government and women did not get the vote until after World War I.
Did any of these research fancies evolve into a book? I leave it to you to guess and wait.
Check your local bookstore.
2 thoughts on “They Engaged My Odd Attention”
When can we expect to see this book or books? When will it/they be published?
I am thoroughly intrigued by the fact that rats can laugh!