I asked Alison some questions about here experience writing One Traveler:
1.Why did you
decide to write Traveler?
I
was a teenager and had just read Gone
with the Wind by
Margaret Mitchell. I wanted to tell a story about the Civil War from
a “northern” angle. Over the years, I worked on other projects,
but I always returned to One
Traveler.
The work wouldn’t let me go. Of course it has morphed into
something very different from what it was when I began at the age of
fifteen! The book deals much more with the Underground Railroad than
the Civil War.
2.What kind
of research did you do for the book?
I
read everything I could get my hands on about the Civil War and the
Underground Railroad. I traveled to Sidney’s hometown of Roswell,
Georgia, where I toured old homes and absorbed the ambience. I also
spent a lot of time at the Luzerne County Historical Society, looking
at maps of Wilkes-Barre and reading microfilm issues of newspapers
from 1860. And of course, as I revised the book, the internet was
invaluable—supplying information on period dress, allowing me to
search the pages of a cookbook from 1865, and even showing me how to
load an Enfield Rifle Musket.
3.Who was
your favorite character and why?
It
would have to be Rachel White, the Yankee girl who captures Sid’s
heart. She is spirited and strong . . . and I think she became that
way as I revised the book. I originally pictured her this way, but
somehow readers saw her as a weaker character. I changed some events
and those changes brought out her inner beauty and feisty attitude.
4.How long
did it take you to write the book? How much revision did you do? Any
tips for other authors when taking on an historical novel?
I’ve
already hinted at how long it took. Twenty years! But this was not
twenty years of constant work on the novel. I went to college, got
married, had children, and worked on other writing projects during
this time. I’m sure I revised it ten times or more. My writing and
the work itself changed so much over those years that it’s hardly
the same book.
My advice to
authors taking on an historical novel would be to keep careful
records. And don’t assume that you’ve already checked out
historical facts. I found myself so caught up in the process of
creating that I made things up and later on I couldn’t remember if
I’d researched them or not. I would have saved some time if I’d
highlighted those questionable sections and made a note to research
them.
5.How did you
find a publisher?
God
and my husband worked together on this one! I had decided to go to a
publishing workshop on the day of my daughter’s 5th birthday
party. Well, that day came and of course I thought I had too much to
do. I told my husband there was no way I could go. He proceeded to
push me out the door and tell me everything would be fine! So I went,
and the workshop was led by Lee Sebastiani of Avventura Press. On a
whim, I told her about my book and she loved it!
6.What's your
writing schedule? Do you have any tips for beginning writers?
As
a busy mother, this is difficult. I don’t believe in robbing myself
of sleep or my husband and children of my presence in order to write.
It’s all about balance, though, because I know I cannot be a good
mother or wife if I don’t make time to write. At this point, I
dedicate one day and one evening a week to writing. Sometimes life
interferes with this, but for the most part I am able to use this
time well. The most important tip I have is to use the time you have
to write. Don’t wait for inspiration. It will come if you are
faithful about doing your creative work.
Blurb for One Traveler:
Excerpt:
Sidney elbowed his way towards
the courthouse where the marshals led the fugitives. As they reached
the courthouse steps, one of the Negroes broke away from the deputy
that held him. He took off running straight towards the crowd, as
though he expected the people to part and make a pathway for his
escape.
Shouts came from the group of
people behind Sid.
Some cheered. “He’s
escaping! Run! Run for your life!”
Others clamored, “Stop him!
Don’t let him get away!”
As the fugitive bolted by the
front of the crowd, Sidney burst towards him and knocked him to the
ground. The man was strong. He fought hard. But someone was helping
Sid and together the two of them wrestled the darky until he lay face
down on the ground. His taut muscles relaxed. Sid kneeled on his legs
while the marshal tied his hands behind his back. Panting, Sid looked
up to see who had come to his aid. Joshua Smith was holding the
runaway’s shoulders to the ground. He winked at Sid.
“We stopped this nigger in
his tracks, eh partner?”
Sid’s stomach turned. He
stood up and the marshal helped the fugitive to his feet.
“Wilson!” he said to one
of the deputies. “You hold this one.”
The deputy complied and the
marshal turned to Sid. “I’m Marshal Jacob Yost.”
Sid shook his hand. “Sidney
Judson.”
“On behalf of the United
States Government, I’d like to thank you for your assistance.”
Sid nodded. “My pleasure,
sir.”
Marshal Yost went to Joshua
then. Sid turned his back on the runaways and stole a cautious glance
towards the crowd. He’d seen them around town, but most he hadn’t
met. Then he saw Bill Gildersleeve, towards the rear. Their eyes met
and Mr. Gildersleeve shook his head with a frown. Sid looked away,
searching the other faces. Some turned to leave. Mr. White was
nowhere in sight. Rachel stood in the center of the square, her hat
hanging behind her windblown head.
A hand clapped him on the
shoulder. It was Joshua.
“I knew having a southerner
in town would come in handy,” he said.
Sid swallowed. “Uh...
thanks. Thanks for your help.”
The marshals led the bound
fugitives into the courthouse. Joshua left with the remnants of the
crowd. But Sid stood by the courthouse, his hat in his hand,
wondering what he had just done.
He wandered next door and sat
on a wooden bench by the public office. He stared down at his hat.
Dark spots appeared in the dust on the street below as sweat dripped
from his forehead. What had possessed him? Loyalty to the law? He ran
his fingers through the thickness of his hair.
In time, the officials came
out of the courthouse with the fugitives and led them towards the
marshal’s rig, waiting by the office. Just before the darkies were
put into the carriage, the one Sid had wrestled broke free again and
began running desperately toward Main Street, his hands still
tethered behind his back.
“Stop!” One of the
deputies yelled, drawing his handgun. “Stop! Or I’ll shoot!”
He kept running. He did not
see Sid as he ran by him. The deputy fired. The black man fell,
writhing in pain, holding his leg with both hands. Sid rose from the
bench. The deputy ran over to the black man. Sidney began to follow.
The Negro groaned. Blood covered his hands as he held his leg.
“I’ll teach you to run
away from a U.S. Marshal!” the deputy pointed his gun at the
pitiful figure.
Sidney felt as though he were
watching something from a dream. He saw the deputy’s hand as his
index finger squeezed the trigger. A shot rang out, echoing on the
buildings around the Square. The Negro’s body jerked as the bullet
hit his chest. He fell back, his eyes meeting Sid’s for a
split-second before they glazed over. A cold fist seemed to hit Sid
in the stomach. He gasped.
“There was no call for
that,” he said.
Sidney turned and looked at
Marshal Yost, standing by the rig.
“Damn you, Wilson!” he
called. “You’re going to catch some flack for that.”
He put the remaining Negro
in the rig with the other deputy. Then he strode over to Wilson, who
stood silent by the body.
“I ought to take away your
badge—at least for a while.” He shook his head. “Go into the
courthouse and get the Sheriff.”
Wilson nodded and started
toward the courthouse.
Sidney turned his back on
them. He walked fast towards Market Street, taking big gulps of fresh
air. But as soon as he thought his stomach was settling, guilt washed
over him again. He was responsible for another death.
Review - Five Stars:
Romance, a Moral Dilemma, a Family
Secret
Heartbroken after the death of his
parents, Sid leaves his home in Georgia and travels north to
Pennsylvania to be with his aunt and uncle. On the eve of the Civil
War, he's leaving behind his sweetheart, Catherine, and his whole way
of life. In Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, he's exposed to his aunt and
uncle's involvement in the Underground Railroad. Helping people is
good, but this is in direct conflict with the law. He misses
Catherine, but there are other girls in the north who challenge his
allegiance to his almost fiancée. He is also faced with the mystery
of why his father ran away from Wilkes Barre. Was it is Southern
identification, or something else?
I enjoyed this novel. Sid is a
sympathetic character. His life is in upheaval. His ideals and the
underlying story of his life are being shaken to the foundations. His
struggle is something anyone can relate to. The other characters are
equally well drawn. We can understand his aunt and uncle's worries
about how he will act when he learns about their involvement with the
Underground Railroad and their delight at having family back in the
north.
The historical perspective is accurate,
except in one instance where the author indicates she took license
with the facts to improve the drama. I recommend reading the
historical notes at the end of the book for additional information on
the period.
This is an excellent book for both
young adults and for adults interested in the Civil War era.
