Jun 21, 202210 minSouthern Rays, a NewspaperI love doing research. It is one of my favorite parts of writing historical fiction, and there’s always the chance of making a startling...
Jun 21, 20222 minReading Between the LinesTo prepare for writing the Neighbors Across the River Trilogy, I listened to the stories my grandfather, Frank Whiting, recorded with the...
Jun 21, 20221 minWould You Eat This?It's Pigweed Life in 2021 is filled with so many conveniences—central air and heat, cars, air travel, well-stocked grocery stores to name...
Jun 21, 20222 minThe Impact of the Gadsden Purchase on Colonia DiazIf you’re like me, you learned the basics about the Gadsden Purchase in school, how land purchased from Mexico became southern Arizona...
Jun 21, 20222 minA Research Treasure HuntOne of the first books I read before I began my novel was Heartbeats of Colonia Diaz by Annie Richardson Johnson, containing both the...
Jun 21, 20221 minDoing Research at the Church History LibraryThe middle of September, I flew to Salt Lake City to do research at the Church History Library (of The Church of Jesus Christ of...