Act as if What You Do Makes A Difference By Connie Vines #YA Historical Novels, #First People, #Lakota, #Writing Tips

 

Act as if what you do makes a difference. 

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.  -- William James

As a writer, I think of scenes and storylines. Every story promises two things to the reader: an emotional one and an intellectual one since the function of a story is to make you feel and think. However, there is also a beginning to each day, where I, as a human being, must function in daily living.

As part of my daily life, I am aware of how my actions, words, and attitudes affect others positively or negatively.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

Every culture has a code of honor and an acceptable path through life. Some follow that path, while others push or ignore the boundaries.

In addition, if you are familiar with  Native American Culture, the Lakota People know that what you choose to do at any given time, whether a good deed or an evil one, has consequences that impact seven generations. 

Seven generations equals 100 years. (1920 - 2020); (1820 - 1920).

Imagine if one of your ancestors had chosen a different path; your life could be entirely different. 

This is why I strive to take the high road in my writing and personal life. I don't always succeed, but I at least aim for the target.

 I also strive to keep my characters in check. Even when my villains do terrible things (Sister Enid to Tay in Whisper upon the Water), I show motivation and life events. Hence, the reader understands why this happened, but I never make the behavior acceptable.

The beginning of a story should give the reader a person to focus on, yet you are the main character in your life story.

Q and A

Look back over your your life. What have you learned? What stories do you have to share?

What have I learned? 

On a family vacation to a swamp in South Georgia, I learned that gators can run very fast! While that did not make for a particularly fantastic life event (especially at the beginning of the day), it would make a great scene in a novel or short story.

1. I strove to not panic.

2. I did not scream as I ran. 

3. I prayed that my sons would not witness their mother being chomped on by a bellowing alligator.

4. I could outrun the reptile (because it stopped at the top of the hill.)

5. After the event, I explained that my actions (going down to the water's edge) weren't very wise.

6. We discussed what we might watch for so the event was not repeated.

7. After we left the swamp, we stopped at a local eatery for a fried gator tail. Yes, we are not taking the high road here. We called it 'regional food' and left it at that! (I recommend gator tail. It's rich in protein and is the texture of chicken with a richer flavor.)

Q and A

Do the stories you read or the stories you write reflect your personality? 

Or do you go rogue? Are you an introvert reading about the exciting life of an extrovert? Or are historicals your go-to stories?

And, yes, every one of my heroines has a bit of my personality. 😉

Happy Reading,

Connie

Where's Connie?

My BWL Page:  https://bookswelove.net/vines-connie/

My website with more buy links: https://connievines-author.com/

and book blurbs !!

Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water Excerpt (and more) By Connie Vines #Native American, #First People,

Tanayia-- Whisper upon the Water, First Peoples Series

Prologue

1868

The Governor of New Mexico decreed that all Indian children over six be educated in the ways of the white man.

Indian Commissioner Thomas Morgan said, “It is cheaper to educate the Indians than to kill them.”

1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries

Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remain where the sagebrush is stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. A land made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reach out into silence.

A world of hunger and hardship. This is my world. I am Tanayia. I was born thirteen winters ago. We call ourselves N’dee, The People. The white man calls us Apache. 

Chapter One

Only a soft light from the east lit the dirt path I soon would walk. I rose from my blanket and dressed in my favorite buckskins and moccasins. After combing my hair, I stepped from my wickiup and walked toward the center of camp. Women from neighboring Apache bands, dressed in their best clothing, squatted around their campfires, patting tortillas and fry bread. My relations traveled great distances to share my coming-of-age ceremony. I am proud and happy. I smile and call out my morning greeting, ya'atche."

"Many blessings, my child," several replied as I passed.

The sharp scent of crisp dough and the bitter scent of acorn stew floated in the cool air. My stomach grumbled in hunger. Large feasts, such as the one my people prepared today, are no longer common. Grandmother, Ligai Tlenaai- White Moon, however, remembers the long-ago days when her band feasted at each change of season. She told me of times when food was plentiful.....

Greeting the sun

Preparing the feast

Wickieup

Chief Geronimo

Native American Boarding School, 1890s

There were certain things the Apache would not eat. It was taboo for the Apache to eat fish or waterfowl due to their fear water was associated with thunder. Eating bear meat was also considered taboo by most Apache groups.

Traditional foods are still eaten today, but as in all communities, modern fare is the norm.

Fry Bread Recipe

4 cups white flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

Lard or shortening

Directions:

Combine all ingredients. Add 1 1/2 cups of lukewarm water and kneed dough until soft but not sticky. Shape dough into balls the size of a small peach. Shape into patties by hand; dough should be about 1/2 inch thick.  Fry one at a time in about an inch of hot lard or shortening in a heavy pan. Brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with honey, jam, or powdered sugar. If you want an Indian Taco add beans, tomatoes, onion, cheese, and salsa on top.

I hope you enjoyed this month's post.

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Happy Reading :-)

Connie

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