In researching the Laurel people, I found that they made burial masks for their deceased. Legend has it that the masks helped them find their spiritual self. Seems like the dark ages? Not true; consider that Abe Lincoln, Stalin, Dillinger, and even a beheaded queen had burial masks. Eek, was the head still attached? And you can, too. People today can make burial asks of their faces, or whole bodies, way before death. Kind of like Roy Rodgers’ Trigger, except you, won’t have to stuff it.
In writing my most recent book, I went down a number of rabbit holes in my research. My story takes place in northern Minnesota, by Lake Superior and Superior National Forest. In looking for myths and legends related to the indigenous people of the area, I discovered the Laurel People, who preceded all others.
After I had completed the book, I read an article on the Internet about a group of Colorado-based scientists who traveled to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (basically the same area) and discovered cooking vessels, that when carbon-dated, date back to the Laurel People. How exciting is that!
“Writing is the most fun you can have by yourself.”
Everything I see or hear makes me ask, why? What do I think about that? How do I relate?
I relate by writing a story that answers the question for me. The story always tells itself.
I love Sue Grafton’s reason: “I write because it’s all I know how to do. Writing is my anchor and my purpose. My life is informed by writing, whether the work is going well or I’m stuck in the hell of writer’s block, which I’m happy to report only occurs about once a day…”
Love this definition by Neil Gaiman:
“Fiction gives us empathy; it puts us inside the minds of other people, gives us the gift of seeing people through their eyes. Fiction is a lie that tells us true things, over and over.” Neil Gaiman
My father was born in 1909 and was in a military school from 1914 until 1921. During that time, with no parents to encourage or explain, such things as the Spanish flu, World War I, prohibition, and the Great Depression occurred. Can you imagine? But then I started thinking about my own life, born at the end of World War II, lived through the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, multiple wars in the Middle East, the recession of 2008, and now the Covid19 pandemic. But, also the invention of television, the first landings on the moon, the invention of television, computers, and all the Internet stuff. It’s an interesting parallel.
In researching information to build one of my characters in “North Star Tribe,” I stumbled across the subject of mycology and a fascinating scientist by the name of Paul Stamets. You may have seen characters named after him in the current television series of “Star Trek” and “Hannibal.” He has a movie on Netflix called “Fantastic Fungi.https://www.google.com/search?he studyq=fantastic+fungi+netflix&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS732US732&oq=fntastic+gungi%3D&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i13i30l9“
Watch it. You’ll be amazed. For those who are not familiar with the word mycology, it’s the study of fungi which includes, yeast, mold, truffles, and mushrooms. There are many more ways to use mushrooms besides sauteed on a steak.
I’ve read that three hundred and fifty ships rest on the bottom of the Great Lakes, fifty in Minnesota. Unlike in southern climates where the bodies bloat and float, the waters of the Great Lakes remain cold enough year-round to keep its bodies in place, perhaps waiting for the ship to reach port. The myth says that the Witch of November creates such storms, waving her wand to spike fifteen-foot waves, twirling her body to rev up gale-force winds, and blinding the faces of sailors with lashing rain. As true of the other Great Lakes, Lake Superior is large enough to create its own weather system. Or is it created by the Witch of November? You might want to listen to the song about the Edmund Fitzgerald for answers.
Check out this link. https://nationalpost.com/opinion/mark-bourrie-the-witch-of-november
I’ve just finished writing two new books, which is my explanation for not writing any recent blogs. I will not be immediately publishing them on Amazon, Smashwords, or Barnes and Noble, as I’m sending queries to agents first.
The first book is in the Lucy Ruediger Series, which you can find on my website, https://www.egnerink.com/lucy-ruediger-mystery-series/ It’s entitled “Outrageous Claims.” Police Detective Ruediger learns of a sudden wave of middle-management and mid-level executives losing their jobs. When it’s learned that an instigator is behind the dismissals, drastic means are taken to hush up the story. Drastic means? Are we talking murder? Oh, and money, lots of money.
My next is the second book in the Corky Allen newspaper reporter series. If you read “Scotoma,” https://www.amazon.com/Scotoma-Susan-Egner-ebook/dp/B00AF002YY/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=Susan+Egner&qid=1592508743&sr=8-12 you already know that Allen is always hot-on-the-trail to right wrongs when covering a news story. In this story, entitled “North Star Tribe,” she stumbles upon the disappearance of a child in Superior National Forest while covering another assignment, a story about the photography team called North Star Tribe. Ancient legends from Minnesota’s indigenous people come to life in the fears of the residents of Two Harbors, Minnesota–myths that involve Big Foot, the Witch of November, and the blood-thirsty Wendigo. And did I mention death masks and burial mounds?
I hope you’ll keep a lookout for these two books and also read my newest book published in February. “Capitol Gold,” is my latest book in the Souls on Board series. I hope you’ll take a look, as well as watch for the two others. And, as always, I’m grateful for your reviews.
Casey Click meets award-winning actress, Kathryn Swift, on a flight and is offered a television documentary based on the life of a very senior flight attendant. At the same time, homemaker Bertie, accepts a position as campaign manager, in a fight against corruption. The two paths collide in Oregon’s Cascade Mountains when a corrupt Senator tries to outsmart the brilliance of Casey and her three, sleuthing friends.