Yesterday I shared how my Civil War romance, A Rebel
in My House, was born. Today I’d love to tell you a bit about my current
writing adventure with you. You’re welcome to come along, but strap in—it’s
always a bumpy ride.
You see, I spend a lot of time in the Civil War era …
while researching and writing my novels, that is. I have to research for months
until I understand what the citizens and the soldiers endured. Then I’m ready
to write the novel.
I’ve begun writing my next Civil War series. This one
deals with the spying that went on during the war. My research has been a real
eye-opener to these widespread and far-reaching effects of spying.
My three-book series is set in the capital cities of
Washington DC (Union) and Richmond (Confederate). Book 1, Avenue of
Betrayal, is set in Washington DC (commonly still called Washington City
during the Civil War.) The number of Confederate sympathizers living mere
blocks from President Abraham Lincoln shocked me.
Loyalties divided the best of friends—and even loving,
close-knit families. My series will show the harsh realities of a country at
war with its former citizens, igniting strong feelings and sparking tragedy.
Historical figures will pop in here and there in these fictional stories.
I had planned a research trip to Richmond and Washington
DC this spring before the country shut down. This has been postponed until the
museums reopen. Though months of research have already birthed my story, this
trip will add flavor and authenticity.
With a stack of research books nearby, I’ll keep writing Avenue
of Betrayal. In the meantime, I invite you to read my other Civil War books—A
Stranger on My Land, A Rebel in My House, and A Musket in My Hands.
This is the “story behind the story” of how my Civil War
romance set during the Battle of Gettysburg, A Rebel in My House, was
born.
Something
drew me yet again to Gettysburg. I knew a story awaited me. My husband and I
walked the battlefields. Ideas stirred when I found Tennessee troops with the
brigade who began the fighting on the first day. Nothing solidified so I kept
digging.
I
discovered fascinating history at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at the
Gettysburg Seminary Ridge Museum. Surely my story touched this place. After
spending several hours wandering the museum and surroundings … nothing. I
trudged on.
I
explored Gettysburg Museum and Visitor Center, Gettysburg Museum of History,
Gettysburg Railroad Station, General Lee’s Headquarters Museum, and The David
Wills House where President Lincoln stayed. I learned intriguing facts at the
Jennie Wade House, Shriver House Museum, and “The Women of Gettysburg Tour,” an
evening walking tour.
Ideas
strengthened. My husband and I walked the town’s streets around the “Diamond”—the
town square where women and children suffered a nightmare from which they
didn’t awaken for many months. Then we spent another afternoon and evening at
the battlefield.
Three
Tennessee regiments fought the beginning battle on July 1st. They
didn’t fight again until they joined in Pickett’s Charge on the battle’s final
day.
The sun
sank low on the horizon as I stood alone on Cemetery Ridge reflecting over the
expansive field crossed by Pickett’s Charge on July 3, 1863. Though the land is
peaceful once more, it still tells a story. My imagination soared while the sun
disappeared.
I had
to tell what the townspeople endured. What if a Gettysburg seamstress fell in
love with a Confederate soldier? What if they both made promises to loved ones?
Some promises are impossible to keep …
Today is your chance to talk with featured author LINDA WOOD RONDEAU about her book, The Fifteenth Article, or about other books she's working on, questions her writing has brought up, related topics. The floor is Hers, and Yours!
About the Author:
Award winning author, LINDA WOOD
RONDEAU writes to
demonstrate our worst past, surrendered to God becomes our best future. A
veteran social worker, Linda now resides in Hagerstown, Maryland. Readers may
visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com. Contact the author on
Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest,
Google Plus and Goodreads.
Just a recap:
The Fifteenth Article is a futuristic, political thriller set in the late 21st
century. The world slumped into a second dark age due to war, famine, and
disease. Eventually, people tired of warfare, put down their arms and formed a
global democracy called The Accord. However, corruption soon followed, The
Accord fell and was replaced by a phony democracy called The Constitutional
Government of United Earth, so named for the Fourteen Articles of Constitution.
The world is divided into nineteen provinces, each province containing a
primary city, the polluted areas outside the cities referred to as the
outworld, inhabited by defectors, nomads, and marauders. When the book begins,
Charles Devereaux, governor of Western America walks into the euthanasia
chamber. His successor, Edwin Rowlands, is also slated to replace the ailing
President. His climb to power will give him the votes to pass his proposed
Preservation Act, or The Fifteenth Article. This legislation would make
defection to the outworlds, once a right under The Accord, an act of treason,
both past and present, punishable by death without trial. Outworld factions in
opposition to the current world government are now threatened, including the
thriving Network of Western America, a system of six communities, former
states, led by Jacob Goodayle, a Christ follower, who proposes secession from
the Constitutional Government. General Kinnear’s Revolutionary Army proposes a
military takeover. Ahmed Fared, Jacob Goodayle’s adoptive brother and Second
Governor of Western America, believes reform can be managed within the existing
government that would prevent civil war and a third dark age. Who will be the
voice of reason within the ensuing chaos?
An essay relating to Linda Wood Rondeau's featured title, The Fifteenth Article:
WHAT WAS AND WHAT
MIGHT BE
When we look back and then forward, we discover that the
adage is true:
The more things change
The more things stay the same.
My recent release futuristic
political thriller, The Fifteenth Article,
takes place in the last part of the 21st century, circa 2073, only
fifty-six years from now. I thought we might take a drive down memory lane
fifty-six years or so beginning with 1961.
The first year of the 1960’s proved
to be a transition year—one that would propel society toward major political,
social, financial, and scientific change.
Political Climate:
Political upheaval has existed since Cain was ousted from
the known establishment of his time because he’d murdered his brother. A new
hierarchy developed from Cain’s replacement, Seth. And so, the beat goes on, as
the song of 1967 echoed.
In 1961, America’s involvement in
Southeast Asia ramped up. So, began the divide between hawks and doves, a
division that would define American politics for the next several decades. On
the world stage, construction of the Berlin Wall became a symbol of the sharp
divide between east and west, communism and capitalism, a free society and a
controlled society.
The
Fifteenth Article, portrays mankind as still in flux. The world survived
tsunamis, pandemic, and global war to form a short-lived democratic global
government called The Accord. However, the system was too weak, and a new
government took its place called The Constitutional Government ordered by
Fourteen Articles of Constitution.
Like all governments, factions
arise that are dissatisfied and threaten world stability, including a would-be
Caesar who has manipulated the constitution to set himself up as a new world
dictator.
Where governments exist,
there will always be those
who will rise up in protest.
Social Climate
The 1960’s was a decade of enormous social change,
especially civil rights.
Much of what transpired in the
later part of the decade stemmed from the early clashes of unrest and civil
disobedience.
Perhaps the most famous civil
unrest came from the Freedom Riders,
who tested the Supreme Court decisionBoynton v. Virginiaby riding racially integrated
interstate buses into the South.
In 2017 the world population is
estimated at 7.5 billion compared to 4 billion just 56 years ago. In my
fictional world of 2073, the population is only 2 billion. Because of labor
shortages, genetic engineering produced a classification of sub-humans called
“memes.”
Since the days of The Exodus,
the human spirit has yearned to be free.
We who
believe know such true freedom
is only found in Christ.
As do
those in 2073, called Christ Followers.
Economic Climate
1961 saw the end of a ten-month recession that began in
April 1960. Though the recession ended, unemployment remained high.
In the fictional world of 2073,
cities comprise the largest economic centers of the world’s nineteen
providences. Outworlds are inhabited by non-citizens. Some are defectors who
gave up their citizenship for more personal freedom. The largest and most
organized of these outworlds is The Network, a series of six communities
formerly known as states. They have become illegally self-governing. However,
the Network is the largest provider of food for the cities. They have been
allowed to exist in return for a tithe of goods. However, their growth
threatens the concept of a global government.
Since early history, the economy has determined who controls what.
Cultural Climate
Culture has always been reflected in a society’s
entertainment fads and every-day life. In a pluralistic society, conflict
arises when one group forces their preferences or religious ideations upon
another. In 1961, America considered itself a Christian nation. Most attended a
house of worship or held association with a religious denomination.
In the fictional world of 2073,
organized religion was blamed for a great war between Christians and Muslims
called The Schism. As a result, society outlawed religious expression of any
kind.
History has
shown that the quest for domination has always been disguised in the form of
outward religiosity. Those who follow the Lord know that true religion begins
in a heart that has been surrendered to a sovereign God.
In a future
world, with the demise of outward manipulation of what is deemed right
Christianity, Christ Followers have set aside denominational differences and
have banned together in common knowledge that God is still on the throne and
remains involved in Mankind’s walk on this Earth. That as long as the earth
endures, summer, winter, and harvest will remain.
Science and
Technological Climate
Since the discovery of fire,
Mankind has adored the newest gadgets.
In 1961, touch-tone technology
had been developed but did not come into wider use until 1963. In a future
world, communications will be managed through a micro device, illegal for
outworlds but still in use. The micro is a computer-like device that can be
held in the palm of one’s hand and connects through the Mainframe.
In fact, in the domed cities, every aspect of life is
monitored and controlled through the Mainframe. While crime is virtually
non-existent, personal freedom has all but vanished.
Since the dawn of history, men have sought for life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness. Will 2073 bring society closer or farther from this goal?
Tomorrow: Come back to chat with Linda via the comments section.
Today starts a NEW feature here on the blog. On Sunday, the featured author will speak to you about a current work-in-progress or an upcoming book. On Monday, YOU the readers get to speak to the author. She'll answer your questions about what is posted here on Sunday and Monday, or other books you've read by her, and maybe if you're good have a giveaway of some kind. Easy, right? In the words of Khan ... let us begin ...
Today's featured author. The first brave soul to participate in Whatcha Doin'?
LINDA WOOD RONDEAU
Featured title: The Fifteenth Article
The Fifteenth Article is a futuristic, political thriller set in the late 21st
century. The world slumped into a second dark age due to war, famine, and
disease. Eventually, people tired of warfare, put down their arms and formed a
global democracy called The Accord. However, corruption soon followed, The
Accord fell and was replaced by a phony democracy called The Constitutional
Government of United Earth, so named for the Fourteen Articles of Constitution.
The world is divided into nineteen provinces, each province containing a
primary city, the polluted areas outside the cities referred to as the
outworld, inhabited by defectors, nomads, and marauders. When the book begins,
Charles Devereaux, governor of Western America walks into the euthanasia
chamber. His successor, Edwin Rowlands, is also slated to replace the ailing
President. His climb to power will give him the votes to pass his proposed
Preservation Act, or The
Fifteenth Article. This legislation would make
defection to the outworlds, once a right under The Accord, an act of treason,
both past and present, punishable by death without trial. Outworld factions in
opposition to the current world government are now threatened, including the
thriving Network of Western America, a system of six communities, former
states, led by Jacob Goodayle, a Christ follower, who proposes secession from
the Constitutional Government. General Kinnear’s Revolutionary Army proposes a
military takeover. Ahmed Fared, Jacob Goodayle’s adoptive brother and Second
Governor of Western America, believes reform can be managed within the existing
government that would prevent civil war and a third dark age. Who will be the
voice of reason within the ensuing chaos?
LATER THIS AFTERNOON, an article by Linda, discussing the background of the book. Fascinating stuff, folks!
About the Author
Award winning author, LINDA WOOD RONDEAU writes to
demonstrate our worst past, surrendered to God becomes our best future. A
veteran social worker, Linda now resides in Hagerstown, Maryland. Readers may
visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com. Contact the author on
Facebook,Twitter, Pinterest,
Google Plus and Goodreads.
