Been a while... Doing some research in the Field

Yes, I posted a picture of cows. Aren’t they cute?! I walked up to the fence and all of a sudden cows from all over the pasture just started lining up to come see me. Much like a friendly puppy, they all wanted just a bit of my attention. So I snapped photo after photo all while petting head after head. My favorite was the little Jersey cow poking her head through the sea of black and white. She was a curious one. Nosy, but hesitant to just fully put herself out there. I get it, girl. I get it. So I just pet the other cows around her until she finally warmed up to me and nudged my hand. Sometimes we are like that. Sometimes we need to gauge our surroundings before just jumping head first into something. It’s scary to face the new and unknown. I relate with this Jersey girl. And I will tell you how...

For the last seven years I’ve had an entire jump drive (or flash drive, whichever you call it) full of potential manuscript drafts, notes, research, etc. all for a new series I plan to write “one day.” I’ve been nervous to do so, because with all books I write, I wonder if people will accept them or appreciate them the way I do. Funny how after almost a decade of writing, I still feel those pre-publishing jitters. But that’s okay. Tackling something new IS scary, but it’s also fun. I’ve developed characters, an entire family really, that I absolutely LOVE! I’ve established a town in the middle of County Clare, Ireland, that again, I LOVE.

But it’s new. It’s different. It’s a little scary. I’ve flirted around with the ideas for years. I’ve developed the ideas for years. I’ve tested the eyes of a trusted beta reader over the last several weeks and she agreed with me that it is time for this story to come to life in book form. So, my cow picture??? Why was I visiting cows? All in the name of research. :) Because one of my characters is a dairy farmer, and what better way to learn about the dairy business than sitting down with my grandparents who were in the dairy business for 39 years?! And what better way to learn than to walk around the old farm and milk room, reminiscing, laughing, and “researching” amazing information I can incorporate into this upcoming series?!

So what started out as a fearful endeavor into something new, turned out to be a walk around something... not so new. I grew up visiting the dairy. It was fun to see it as an adult. And what seemed so daunting before doesn’t seem so big now... or intimidating. Full circles of feelings swamped me as I watched that Jersey cow find my hand for some attention... as I walked the steps I did as a kid in order to learn and listen to a legacy of hard work spilling from my Ninny and Papaw’s lips... to realizing that sometimes my stories aren’t about me and how I’m feeling. That even though I create characters from thin air, their struggles, their lives, their stories, all come from the people I meet or know in my life. That I can utilize an old dairy farm and the experiences of real people and turn them into fun, heartwarming, and even uplifting stories.

Every book I write has tidbits of my life hidden in their pages, whether it’s people, places, events, or details... And as I prepare this first book in a new series for you, I want to thank you for reading the stories I create. For your appreciation of those small tidbits that are from me for your enjoyment. It is always my hope you find them as wonderful as I do. I love weaving them together, and I’m thankful for each reader that takes the time to enjoy. :)

I’ll keep you posted as I dive further into fun for this new series. :) It’s definitely an adventure. :)
Til next time,
Katharine