Quilting Appears in my Writing

I find, because of my background and interest in quilting, this topic creeps into some of the stories I write. My middle reader novel-in-progress, Papa Goes To War, contains references to quilting and has a quilting scene. Before I’m through, I may even include a quilting pattern or project for youngsters to make.

Papa Goes to War evolved from my genealogy research. I discovered that some of my grandmother’s uncles served in the Union Army during the Civil War. One uncle was a widower with young children at home. The situation seemed perfect for this novel that has been building in my mind.

I’ve been working on this book, off and on, for several years as I researched Civil War era life and history. However, now I’m seriously concentrating on it. The young daughter of a friend keeps asking me if I’ve written any more and can she read another chapter. So this spurs me on.

Another favorite story, “Sarah Jane’s Daring Deed,” from the anthology, Tales of Adventure & Discovery, could have quilting projects associated. I often use this story when teaching writing workshops in schools and giving talks on pioneer history. It didn’t evolve from my family stories, but from research I was doing for my newspaper column on New Hampshire history.