In the early years of writing the books, this wasn't that easy. I had to go to our small town library, in which books about logging in Wisconsin were few and far between. World War I was a bit easier, but it was still touch and go. I remember that one year my Christmas present from Roger was a big coffee table book on The Great War.
I found a book of my mom's entitled: Turbulent Twentieth Century. It was invaluable since it had timelines and fashions of different eras. Then, I found a gigantic book that had a month by month chronicling of what movies were out, who died on that date, what were the headlines, etc. I still have that book beside my computer for reference.
All this was before the internet, you understand. Dinosaur times. When the internet came, it was still so slow and clunky, I hardly used it. But then, things got easier so that, by the time I was into WWII in the books, it was an absolute joy. It was also when we finally got satellite TV with the History Channel. And that was even better.
I got into a pattern with WWII. I'd scroll through stories on the TV about different battles and events that happened. When I saw one that sounded interesting, I'd watch it and, for some of them I said: "I want one of my McKennas to be in that battle." So, I'd research it on the web to see what battalions or companys were involved, then trace that company of soldiers back to see where those men originated. What areas of the United States did they come from? Would it be feasible for some of them to have originated from where the McKennas lived? If it fit, I would start to write my boys into that battle or event.
I found out that although with particular famous events, you have to be very accurate and thorough, with everyday life in a particular time frame, you don't have to know EVERYTHING about everything that happened, just key things. If you can be accurate about what equipment was used in the characters' work, for instance, that was very important. You can't have a 1930's tractor in the 1800s.
And then, I found that if I once started describing something, it could get pretty sticky. Such as when Stephen or Amelia would be working on an airplane, I had to know what kind of airplane it would be for that time period. Then, I would have to figure what it is that they would be doing, whether they would be reaching UP to the engine or DOWN into the engine. What tools would they use? What tools did they have in that time? Would it be something a woman could do? On and on...
Styles and fashions are important. Fads are important. What did the kids like? What games did they play? What were the slang terms? And, most important, would kids in the McKennas' area actually use those terms and would their parents approve if they did?
It was of paramount importance to preserve the flavor of the Appalachian region and dialect without making it too difficult to read. I want the McKennas to sound like hill people, without sounding uneducated. I want Comfort and Ginny to have more of the African-American dialect without becoming Steppin Fetchit...if you are old enough to know who he was! There is a fine line between accents and caricature.
Hopefully, my hours of research paid off. Hopefully, I was able to slip some accuracy and knowledge here and there without it sounding like a history lesson.
This weekend will be the official release of "No Promises". The official launch will be at the Big House and it should be fun. Good weather would sure be a nice touch since the Big House tends to get as chilly as a meat locker in the rain! But, at this time of the year, when the weather is pretty and the mountains are showing off, it is a magical place. So, fingers crossed...will post pictures!