Julia and Paula: 2015 Update
As many of you know, I devote an issue of this monthly newsletter, in which I usually focus on practical writing topics, to talk about my research on Julia Wilbur, an abolitionist who came to Alexandria during the Civil War.
For newer readers, I have worked with Wilbur's diaries and other sources for the past several years to learn about her as an individual and about Civil War-era society.
Along the way, I have (re)learned some useful lessons:
- Don't take rejections personally.
- Keep asking questions and learning. I'll never know everything.
- Benefit from different people, places, and events. As word-oriented as I am, I need other experiences.
Here are those lessons at work.
Book in Progress
I'm a long way from done, but my original plan to transcribe the Civil War years of Wilbur's diary has, gulp, morphed into writing a book. Earlier this year, I developed a proposal, which I successfully pitched and am now working with an agent.
He, in turn, is pitching the proposal to publishers. He warned me to prepare myself for rejections and just tuck them in a file labeled "Editors who will regret my future success."
Presentations and Blog
Sharing what I have learned gives me a great way to figure out how much more I need to know. In the past few months, I spoke as part of Virginia Archaeological Month, for the Alexandria Historical Society, and at the annual meeting of the Society for Women and the Civil War.
Upcoming: In November, Friends of the Special Collections of the Alexandria Library (where I do a lot of research) and in February, Alexandria Black History Museum.
New Places and People More sensory experiences have taught me a lot, and been a great excuse for some interesting travel. For example, I read about Appomattox, but visiting with a knowledgeable park interpreter made all the difference as he described the meeting of the two armies on the dirt road where we stood. Frederick Douglass' house in Anacostia and Clara Barton's Missing Persons Office near the Verizon Center in Washington, DC., allowed me to see the world through their eyes. In July, I participated in shape-singing, a traditional 19th century form of choral music. I've looked across the Potomac at Ball's Bluff in Maryland and near the spot where John Booth tried to escape into Virginia. Even though I still love delving into old records in archives, I have broadened my horizons.
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Nailing a new niche. Making Word work for you. Finding new clients and keeping the ones you have.
These are some of the sessions planned for the 10th annual Be a Better Freelancer conference, Sept. 25-26, in Rochester, NY.
(Disclaimer--I am one of the speakers.)
Back to the program: It's good. You're thinking--Rochester?
Yep. It's an inexpensive flight from DC and could take less time than driving from Reston to College Park (for example). The conference hotel is nice, and the rates are low. The weather and foliage will be lovely. Late September in Rochester is NOT February (sorry for the dis, local Rochesterians). The people are friendly and the networking useful. Take a look at the program or go to the conference website. Hope to see you there--and please pass the word on to others.
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