Credit: Lyn Fenwick. Stereoscope similar to Isaac's |
Merely by looking at the dates of those early blogs, and knowing the prior transcription of Isaac's journal that took 11 months and the hours and hours of research before I could begin the first draft of the manuscript, you have some idea of how long I have been working on sharing Isaac's story. You may even recall that in the blog "Writer's Angst," posted 8-23-2012, I declared the manuscript "finished!" I was wrong...
Titles of books that were in Isaac's library |
Since leaving the museum board, I have returned to Isaac (in between obligations connected with construction at our farm house, which have definitely been a distraction). However, to all of you who have followed the blog so faithfully and those who have continued to inquire about the status of publication, encouraging me by sharing your eagerness to read the book, I offer this status update.
Political cartoon of workers confronting the wealthy |
Two editors who reviewed the book proposal were kind enough to offer their advice. One advised that it was apparent that my primary interest was in telling the story of Isaac and his community and suggested I eliminate most of the political history. The other advised that it was apparent that my primary interest was in telling the story of the political era's impact and suggested I reduce the emphasis on Isaac. I appreciate the advice given by both of them, as apparently contradictory as it may first seem. In fact, I think both were right and that their advice relates to my problem in trying to write a history for both academic and general readers.
Hay rack typical of what Isaac owned |
Isaac's Journal |
Too many people think of Kansas in terms of cowboys and Indians, tornadoes, Dorothy Gayle and the Wizard of Oz, and KU basketball, but Kansas has an even richer history. I am confident that Isaac's journal has given me the opportunity to share the history of the Progressive Movement during the late 1800s through the daily lives of real people in Isaac's community.
The confrontations between men of the Gilded Age and workers in the Progressive Movement during the late 1800s is no less interesting than Britain after W.W. I. I hope by focusing more on a history for general readers, I can revise my manuscript to make it even better! My goal will involve what the Guardian newspaper reviewer called "the vital importance of small details," with less emphasis on footnoting every reference to Isaac's journal and generally known historical facts. Thanks to all of you for your continued encouragement and interest.
9 comments:
I just heard Larry Hatteberg speak at the Master Farm Homemaker Guild's national convention. Hatteberg, who filmed and wrote Hatteberg's People for KAKE-TV for years, reminded us that everyone has a story. It's a truth I've also found as a reporter and writer. And sometimes the best stories are those from "ordinary" people living their "ordinary" lives. I find extraordinary beauty in the "every day" people, places and things around me. Good luck with the revisions!
Your comments and best wishes are appreciated. The history of this period is too little known, even by people whose ancestors settled here. I think it is important to share this wonderful history!
Michael in Kansas wrote: It's interesting that the two editors gave you such conflicting advice. I feel that telling the story of Isaac's life against the backdrop of the larger historical context would make the diary infinitely more interesting. I agree with you that it needs both, the personal and the larger political/historical picture.
Continuing Michael's comments: "Local history puts national history into context. It brings us down to earth, away from the abstract, to reveal the lives of ordinary folks who are the real shapers of history in any society. Rather than addressing the grandiose theme so often found in textbooks, local history gets down to the nuts and bolts of how we got to the point we are and how we might get to the next." (from 'Why is knowing local history important?' at WikiAnswers)
"Historian Thomas Carlyle wrote, 'History is the biography of great men.' While this may be mostly true, great men could not achieve great things without their followers--the farmers, factory workers and laborers who make the dreams of those great men a reality. So local history--the story of the people in a neighborhood, town or county, and their links to the larger community of district, state and nation--become 'history as the biography of the Common Man,' and reminds us that history begins in our own back yard."
Michael, thank you for your encouragement and sharing the great comments from WikiAnswers. That describes exactly what I am trying to do, and by revising to make it more interesting to general readers rather than footnoting constantly for easy reference to Isaac journal, I hope it is a big improvement. Lyn
C.M. in Texas wrote: Good Luck with your manuscript, Lyn. It is a work of love on your part and a history of 'everyman' that should be read.
A.C. in Colorado wrote: "Think your ideas about making the manuscript more about Isaac and his community will interest [both] readers and publishers. ...Can't wait for it to be published so I can read it! Hang in there!!
C.M. and A.C.: Thanks for the encouragement and your continuing following of the blog. Feedback is always valuable to a writer, and as solitary as writing may be, it is good to know there are future readers out there waiting to read what I write!
Someone once said that if there are five Mennonite families in a community there will be seven Mennonite churches. I take it publishers are much the same. I do hope your rewrite will be successful in attracting a publisher. Academics can read Isaac's Journal for themselves.
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