Hey, there!

I am thrilled to connect with you in this monthly newsletter. Happy Warm Weather! It’s time for swimming, the end of school and when we get to sweat!

By the way, in each newsletter, I send a different photo of myself with different members of my family. I’ve sent pix of me with my grandson Jakob, with my son Robert and with my hubby, Bob. This is with my daughter Lynette and grandson Julian, from Chicago, IL.

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What kind of book do you enjoy? The most popular genre (classification) is romance. I’m stoked that my novel is actually a historical romance. It’s interesting that the ‘courting etiquette’ for Nicklaus and Maria was much different from today’s dating.

In the 1880s, this couple was scorned for doing what was considered a ‘taboo’—kissing in public! Then the gossip began when they were seen going to a farm alone. Today it wouldn’t be a big deal, but big consequences followed for these two lovebirds.

But this story isn’t just about romance. It’s about Nicklaus’s struggle to reach a dream he’d worked for all his life—to become a Master Carpenter. And Maria’s fight to rebuild her self-confidence is one many of us can relate to. Having been treated poorly all her life, Maria needs inner strength to face her troubled past.

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I feel strongly about being open with you. I admit, it really has been a long journey for this first book—over three years! You know, how we learn by doing? I think I’ve done and done and done some more! I’ve re-written every sentence, not once, but in every combination imaginable! So, I learned by working hard, but for the next books, I know how to work smart.

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Can I tell you about myself? I always loved writing and spent many years writing non-fiction articles and copy for blogs. Then I got the crazy idea of writing a novel about my ancestors—what I’d learned through family research. Truthfully, I’d never felt capable of doing something so ambitious and complex. But as the ideas sizzled in the back of my brain, I soon was imagining the ‘how, when, where and who.’ IF was a thing of the past!

But I feel confident now, that those mistakes will go on the shelf, while I get the next book ready much faster. In fact, it’s already half-written!

Click here to read more about Ruby.

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Accuracy is important with historical fiction and it’s the biggest time challenge. I surely wanted to do as much research as needed to make your reading experience enjoyable, and so you wouldn’t worry I was ‘pulling your leg.’ (I wouldn’t do that) Facts are the framework for the story. Be assured, that I spent every cost to make the information in the book accurate.

For instance, an interesting bicycle showed up in the later 1880s, the forerunner of models that came later, and before our current bikes.

So, I researched bicycles of the 1880s, not in America but in Germany. I learned the design, appearance and materials of it. But after a while, I wondered if I’d gotten its mechanisms right. So I check the sources to make sure I had indeed portrayed them correctly.

Another example: History wasn’t exactly clear—two histories exist as to who invented it, where and when. There’s actually disagreement on who first invented it. Apparently a lot of folks were working on it in several countries. You’ll love learning more about the velocipede when the book comes out.

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The manuscript, images, front and back materials and images of my debut novel, Etch of a Promise, has been sent to be formatted and printed! Whew! I’m so happy. Those months of fact-checking and endless editing are behind me! Etch of a Promise is on the “conveyor belt” of production now.

Soon I’ll be choosing a cover and it would be great if you’d look at some trial covers and give me your input. I’ll need it from here on out and you can be a part of the process.

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I was surprised when I found I loved reading historical fiction! I just picked out books that appealed to me. True stories, survival stories, even memoirs. I realized that I love getting into their shoes and re-living the conditions that these people lived.

I’ve decided to share with you, each month, a suggested read from my own shelf of favorites. So far we’ve talked about In Search of my Mother’s Garden, Five Aprils, and Before We Reach Home. But, sorry, I’m out of page. We’ll make up for it in May.

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I hope you enjoyed April’s ‘Writerly Wramblings,’ a once-a-month email. In the future, I might ask for input on the stories I’m writing, or perhaps your vote on the best cover for Etch of a Promise. As a subscriber, you’ll be the first to know about contests and giveaways that will be coming soon!

A book without readers is a lonely story. I’d be honored if you’d share the first chapter of Etch of a Promise with your friends. When you send them to my website, let me know and I’ll enter BOTH of you in a monthly contest to win books, goodies, and treats. I’ve been collecting some items I can’t wait to send out! This is an ongoing offer. Here’s where they get the chapter: www.rubymoseley.com/ . they’ll get the newsletter also. They can unsubscribe anytime. Really!

Warm wishes and big hugs,

Ruby