As an author of a trilogy of historical fiction, I found research took more of my time than did the writing of the story.

Perhaps, it's just me. But I want the historical facts to be just that - factual, while the fiction that ties the facts together are simply figments of my imagination. I'd think just how would an event such as the underground railroad be handled by an ordinary family if they should become involved. What kind of twist would they put on hiding escapees and by letting the characters take over, they found the way. I'd chuckle - good for you folks.

When I realized the seed of 'The Spruce Gum Box' was taking root in my mind, I knew there was a lot I needed to know about the turmoil taking place in the wilds of northern Maine before statehood. It took on and off travel, museum visiting and a lot of reading/studying at the library over five years to get the first sentence down. But no matter how many notes, situations would pop up in time and event lines that would leave me puzzled. Halleluiah! My computer skills had improved to where Mr. Google and I became bosom buddies. I'd stop and verify - did they use that phrase in 1860? - was that nursery rhyme published at that time? - just how did the indians harvest yellow eye beans? I nearly was caught in 'Granite Hearts". I had the children catching fireflies and putting them in glass Mason jars. Then I checked and found it was a few years before Mason made that type of jar so out with that scene. In 'Beneath Mackerel Skies' youngsters caught the fireflies and the scene meant more.

At times I wonder if all this extra time needed to write historical fiction is worth it but the readers appreciate and understand the effort.

At times I get a little jealous of those that create pure fiction - those wonderful stories that can go wherever the writer or characters fancy without need for confirmation.

At times I wonder if I should try the same.

Then I find a nugget of information that makes me laugh for it is such a perfect find at such a perfect time.

As an example. I was recently writing a chapter that included a Thanksgiving dinner circa 1868 in Maine. I had researched turkey calls for the hunters and picked the kind my characters would have used. The vegetables were brought up from the root cellar. I started the ladies making pumpkin pies. Wait! Did they make pumpkin pies in 1868? Should I change to apple? In the research on pumpkin pies New England - I found the "gem". An 1867 artical in the Portland, Maine newspaper told of the second visit of Charles Dickens to the United States. He spent Thanksgiving at the home of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in Portland. He was served Mr. Longfellow's favorite dessert, pumpkin molasses pie. Since my book characters always read the Christmas Story each year, pumpkin molasses was perfect.

Call me a silly old lady (if you dare) but that piece of information thrilled me.

So if research is needed - research it will be. Even if it takes a lot of digging to unearth the perfect gem.