After my last post, I was busy as a bee visiting around when the phone rang. About an hour later, I flopped on the sofa, deflated. A reporter from the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, area had called. It wasn't that he was going to write a book with one-third of it about my family's history, it was that he was writing a book about such.Yes, there's a lot there about a family that first came to what is now Louisiana if 1679 if one looks for it.
Even as I type this, I don't know how to process what he's doing. One part of me feels a sense of pride, but, to be honest, a larger part of me feels creeped out. While I was getting on with my life - didn't even know this person existed - he had been doing an enormous amount of research. He quoted articles on what was then called the 'Society Page' about my grandmother hosting ladies' socials, a cousin who had done This, a family I was related to by another cousin's marriage, and so on. Nothing bad, all good.
He wanted my in-put for his book. When I said I was writing a book about my family (hint! hint!), he froze, defrosted, and charged on. I provided a few historical tid-bits I knew research would reveal, and we shared a few laughs about common knowledge. Then I put on the brakes. Enough.
Anyway, I've been in rather a funk. I'm not an Olympic athlete (or an athlete, to be honest; I kinda hang in there to get to the finish line). I can't sing. My fifth grade teacher asked me to mouth the words to Jingle Bells (when I thought I was doing great).
But I've got this curiosity about what's behind the next mountain, love to travel, love spending hours in dusty markets, and wherever I go, I've got this suitcase of family stories to bolster me when I need a kick in the butt not to give up. As such, there's a certain joy in knowing it's my suitcase.
I lived a lot of what he'd write about. Will the reporter know about wiggling one's toes in a freshly furrowed row? or running across stickers? or how clabber dripped above the sink? or about the bird in the China Ball tree?
I could tell him, pull the stories out of my suitcase, but he's an old-school reporter: just the facts, ma'am. He's got a contract. The book's going to happen. The excitement of the early bird getting the worm won't be there for a China Ball tree without the bird. Like I said, I'm in a funk.
* * * * *
Anyway, I googled "Oil Rig Employment Opportunities" as so many who commented/sent e-mails said they knew of someone who might be interested. I was blown away by collective opportunities in Louisiana, North Dakota, and world-wide. Here are a few links that may be of interest:
oilcareers.com
oil-rig-job.com
rigzone.com (Site has amazing links from menu at top.)
jobnd.com (Opportunities in North Dakota.)
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Today's post is supposed to provide feedback on the A-Z Challenge. I thoroughly enjoyed the Challenge, meeting new bloggers, and learning from their great posts. Those behind the scenes did a great job of preparing us for what lurked ahead, commenting on our posts, and keeping us motivated. Considering the number of participants and the time zones involved, the Challenge was a massive undertaking that went very smoothly.
The only question I have is, Why April? It's a jam-packed seasonal change month, with kids involved in school activities, various graduations ahead, families visiting and so on. Perhaps February would be a blander month to dive in. The Challenge shouldn't feel, at times, like another job one squeezes in around home and hearth.
I think I would have been able to visit more blogs if there had been a some very general categories.
Would I do it again? Ask me next month!
25 comments:
Wow, Kittie. That is quite an honor that they're doing a book on your family.
But I too would be like, 'whoa'. You know too much about me. And you're right. Who better to write a book about your family than you?
Hmmm, I guess better April than December, right? Lol. And sometimes the challenge did feel like another job, but like a way fun one where you got the chance to meet a whole heap of awesome people :)
Hej Kittie, that's very exciting, but it is YOU who should write a book about your family. The way he acted on the phone was not good.
You are the one who knows - and you are the one who can write about Louisiana and your family like no one else. And I love the way you write, we all love the way you write. It has also something to do with the Louisiana way and the Louisiana pulse. NO ONE can do it like YOU.
Grethe `)
Gee, somewhere in the back of my mind I thought you were writing a book about your family, at least short stories. Is that fair or appropriate or legal that he is writing about your family; wouldn't he need permission from current family members to write a factual book ? And then is he looking at your blog for some of his "research" information ?
Good day
I read your distinguished article and I think your blog will be one of the best if you keep up the good work!
That would be really weird to have someone writing part of a book based on your family. But you know some of the details and feelings - the reporter doesn't.
April just happened to be when the Challenge began, as it had twenty-six days not counting Sundays. Interesting thought to change months.
Glad you enjoyed it otherwise. I liked reading the history of your area!
Kittie,
Great thoughts about the Challenge being in another month...Jan. or Feb.--who does anything in those months? great idea!
Now about that book the reporter is writing...my first thought was yes, he's writing it about the facts but without the stories (your version) where is the interest? If people want to read facts, go to a newspaper but i they want the people to come alive then your book will do just that. In addition, perhaps you could ride his coat-tails so to speak and follow it up with 'Get more of the life of.... rather than just facts...' he may be doing you a favor by laying the groundwork!
....just a thought!
That is a little creepy coming from a complete stranger. *shudders* Did he say what inspired him to write about your family? How odd!
Part of me is glad to know someone else is as overwhelmed as I am, the other part is sad, because I know how exhausting being overwhelmed can feel like. Besides, I may be jumping the gun here. Maybe it's just me overwhelmed by all you do and all you accomplish. I should blog about my overwhelmness and keep my judgements to myself.
Wow, a book about your family. That is too kewl, Kittie, even if he's infringing on your territory. You were right to keep tightlipped. He'll have his "just the facts" account, and you'll have your emotionally invested account. I'm anxiously awaiting both. Mostly yours though.
It sounds like your book would have much broader perspectives on the family history and therefore a much broader readership. While his book may be a useful resource for researchers, yours will be more appreciated for representing the milieu and spirit of the times.
Don't despair--it's all good!
I shouldn't fret too much over this, Kitty - bare facts are no rival to the real inside deal. Yes, I can understand the pall his visit may have cast, but please do try to ignore it as best you can.
How very exciting to know you are writing this, please be sure to let me know when I can order my copy!
Good luck with your book. Don't let the reporter get you down!
And I hear you on the A-Z challenge. I just can't keep up in April/May with the whole end of the school year thing.
Kittie, I'll bet he's in a bigger funk than you are! Because you know more about your family than he does, all the little stories, etc. that he can't know about. Your family must be pretty special.
That's exciting Kittie - I'm with you re dusty markets.
Aha! Another blogger who desires categories! Well, I spoke to Arlee and he's gonna see what he can manage for next year. If he decides to take our advice, I definitely will do it again.
As for the reporter writing a book about your family, that is both kinda cool and sorta creepy at the same time. I guess what bothers me most is that you're trying to so the same thing at the same time and I think you should do it first or have precedent, at least. Keep us posted on how all that works out. Thanks for dropping by today, Kittie! I always love to read your comments.
That would creep me out, too. But, as long as it's positive stuff, I think I'd get over the initial shock and be glad my family history will be preserved.
Its so exciting that a book is being written on your family! But I think you should do it.
I hear you, Kittie. I've been writing my family's saga (also involves Louisiana, but somewhere in the 1830's, and only as a stepping stone between France and Mexico) in my head since forever. I'd feel cheated and totally low if someone came to interview me because they're doing the same thing. But, like you say, the stories and the history are two different things--the history without stories lacks color and luster, so the truth is you have the material to make a brilliant book. Who knows--the one the reporter writes may even serve you as research :) And when your book has huge success, hits all the bestseller lists and signs on with Paramount for a blockbuster and you win an Oscar for best screenplay, you can mention the reporter in your acknowledgment speech, thank him for his diligent research that helped you provide historical background for your own magnus opus :) Chin up!
It does seem like your book would be a lot better than one written by someone only interesting the cold facts and not the warm memories
Sorry to hear you're in a funk, but I think you should go ahead with your own project. Chances are, they'll be completely different. As you said, it's your suitcase!
Hi Kittie - I'd feel invaded if someone was writing about my family - maybe less so if I wasn't a writer, but it's not his story to tell! Anyway, as everyone else has said, you will tell the story as it should be told and his will probably be a non-fiction account without any of the warmth that yours will undoubtedly have. I bet you could weave all the stories together and make a series of novels. x
Instead that the reporter will write the book why don't you insist that you should be the one as in the first place you are involved with it and can provide more information than him.
Hi! My mission...which I chose to accept...was to continue to visit as many A to Z Challenge participants as I could even after the challenge is over because I didn't want to miss out on any great bloggers out there! Lovely blog...good luck with the rest of the year and I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Donna L Martin
www.donasdays.blogspot.com
Happy Mother's Day!:) I have awarded you the Sunshine Blog Award! Please see http://www.caronrider.blogspot.com
Congratulations!:)
I also would feel strange knowing that someone I don’t know is writing about my family. That A to Z challenge must have been time consuming. With traveling and reading, and all the rest, I don’t have even enough time to stay up-to-date with the blogs I read, so I would not be able to be good at a challenge. I am pleased you liked my posts on New Orleans. I could write 5 more and may do so, but in the meantime we are traveling again.
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