Adventures in Dutch Harbor/Unalaska, Alaska by Lynn Lovegreen

For this month's theme of Adventures in Travel, this is a reprise from a July 2016 blog post.

Stunning Dutch Harbor and Unalaska

You may recall I travelled to Dutch Harbor and Unalaska earlier this summer. (See my post on the ferry ride there at http://lynnlovegreen.com/traveling-on-the-tustumena/.) I had the opportunity to go to one of the most unusual places in Alaska.

It’s unusual for a couple reasons.
One: Unless you’re in the fishing industry or live in the Aleutian Islands, you have to go out of your way to get there. Many Alaskans have been to Juneau or Skagway or anywhere on the road system (Homer, Seward, Anchorage, Denali, Fairbanks) because it’s fairly easy to get there. But not to Dutch Harbor—you have to fly or take a four-day ferry to go to Dutch Harbor.


Dutch Harbor port from Ballyhoo

Two: Although most people just say “Dutch Harbor” there are two towns, Dutch Harbor and Unalaska, united by a bridge. Dutch Harbor is the industrial/fishing town, and Unalaska has a more residential, small town feel to it. Originally, Unalaska was the traditional Unangan (Aleut) village and Dutch Harbor was the port, then the military base in the 1930s and 40s—which brings me to why I was there.

Gun emplacement on Bunker Hill



Unalaska from Bunker Hill

I went to do research for my next book about World War II in Alaska. Dutch Harbor was bombed by the Japanese in 1942, and the U.S. Army and Navy had a strong presence there. You can still see bunkers and military buildings all over the area. Plus, the U. S. Government took the Aleuts off the islands and interned them in Southeast Alaska. Evidence of that sad period of our history is also in both towns.

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Aleut internment monument in Unalaska


While I was researching a negative period of our history, I was inspired by all the stories of courage, sacrifice, and generosity. Plus, it is beautiful, even stunning, country out there, and the people were very helpful. I’m glad I went.

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for fifty years. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult historical fiction is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.

Info (And Fun) You Won’t Find On the Internet

By Linda Lovely

I recently was invited to talk with students in Creative Writing and English classes at a local high school. Part of my advice to those students interested in writing fiction was to go beyond the Internet to do research. A writer’s best resources are people who have actual hands-on experience, and, almost always, they’re more than willing to talk about their work and themselves.

My intent wasn’t to downplay the Internet’s value. I can and do Google topics to find a wealth of materials and information, though I also try to vet these sources to make sure they’re reliable. I also tap into YouTube to open visual/audio windows into experiences. For instance, I watched clips of Billy goats in rut and how-to drone-flying demos to help craft scenes in PICKED OFF, my second Brie Hooker Mystery.

Yet, there’s no substitute for speaking directly with experts. I realize some aspiring authors are shy and feel they may be imposing if they ask strangers to spend time answering their questions. Yet most people are flattered rather than annoyed and enjoy the opportunity to share information. I can’t ever recall being rebuffed by an information “source.” Of course, it’s important to make clear why you want the information and how you plan to use it. Now that I’m writing fiction, that simply means I’ll use their experiences and insights to help build more interesting, well-rounded characters and more credible plots.

For BONES TO PICK, my first Brie Hooker Mystery, I made in-person visits to goat farms and breweries (what a hardship) and quizzed the owners about the care and feeding of dairy goats and what’s involved in brewing moonshine. I also tasted goat fudge, and, of course, sampled moonshine. Visiting locations helped me visualize potential scenes and also triggered ideas about situations and activities for my characters.  Joining a goat yoga class was a true adventure, and provided the idea for the opening scene in my third Brie book, BAD PICK, due out April, 2019!

So how do you find experts if you’re writing a crime novel? Even authors of mysteries featuring amateur sleuths should try to be as accurate as possible in describing law enforcement and legal procedures, forensics, investigative techniques, etc.

I’ve discovered my best resources through my local Sisters in Crime chapter and the phenomenal annual Writers’ Police Academy (WPA). This August I’ll be attending my seventh WPA event, a special MurderCon edition that will focus on using forensic tools to solve homicides. Over the years, these two sources—Sisters in Crime and the WPA—have been treasure troves of information and contacts. Through these organizations I’ve met everyone from FBI, ATF and Treasury agents to paramedics, coroners, detectives and defense attorneys. What’s more, since I’ve met them, I’m not a stranger calling them out of the blue. We have a prior connection and they know my request is legitimate.

So if you don’t know an answer, ask! Not only may you be surprised by the answer, you may find answers to questions you didn’t even know you should ask. Conversations can be a wonderful adventure. And what a fun way to start a New Year!

This Day in History: May 16

by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Holt

I am fascinated by the tidbits gleaned from historic newspapers. Whether that's because I'm always on the lookout for story ideas (I write Victorian-era Sweet Romance, set in the American West), or because I'm fascinated by history, I can't say. Probably  both.

Let's take a look at May 16, 1881. Only 136 years ago today. Specifically, in the frontier city of Atchison, Kansas. The Monday edition of Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas, issued (Monday) May 16, 1881 shows two sides of an ongoing debate--despite the legislation.

 

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Wet vs. Dry. 

The above snip of the newspaper says the prohibition law has been in complete operation for three months.

Prohibition in the early 1900s is the stuff of legends. Everybody knows about speakeasies, bootleggers, and the like. Did you know the temperance movement was all the rage in the early 1880s?

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

We all know the category of citizen with whom beer and whisky had fallen out of favor--and the citizenry with whom such beverages were very much desired. Doesn't take a PhD in sociology or history to understand that.

 

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchsion, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

But as an amateur historian who writes novels set in the historic American West, getting the details right MATTERS.

I heavily research details of my novels...and I'm getting better at this. My earliest books weren't as thoroughly researched, but like playing the piano, we get better at things we keep working at, right?

If I were to set a story in Atchison (North-Eastern corner of the state of Kansas), in 1881, I'd make sure much of the conflict in the story arose between those who wanted liquor and alcohol to remain available and those who didn't.

Because the ONLY person who didn't know about the prohibition efforts might be the ONE man in history who ended up in the paper...a man in 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

 

Where is Atchison, Kansas? Courtesy of Wikipedia.

Why? Why does it matter?

This same issue of the historic city newspaper tells far more of the story than a simple "success" of prohibition laws.

I'd have to research far more to understand what prohibition law was in place, and why some businesses were able to sell wine, liquor, and beer--apparently with full appreciation by the populace and in the good graces of the law. Because if I didn't, sure as shootin', one of my readers would, and they'd call me on it.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Readers are savvy. They come from all walks of life--some hold PhDs (and yes, they read romance!), some LIVE in the historic city of Atchison, Kansas. Some are amateur historians and for one reason or another know a great deal about the social issues of the day.

An even better reason? I never have to wonder what to write about. Story ideas leap into place when I study primary sources (such as vintage newspapers), understanding that merely because something is in print does not guarantee it's a fact--lies are easy to print). Vintage newspapers, books published in the era, public addresses, everything along those lines are a treasure trove for authors of historical fiction. A bonus: readers appreciate historical accuracy.

 

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

As referenced in the following notice about cases brought before the judge, public intoxication was still against the law, though alcoholic beverages could be purchased in town...despite the prohibition laws.

Atchison Daily Patriot of Atchison, Kansas on May 16, 1881.

Another fun tidbit about Atchison, entirely unrelated to the 1881 published differences in alcoholic tolerance: Atchison is purportedly the most haunted city in Kansas. Now that could be fun to write about.

 Related Articles:

This Post will be live in a few days--on May 21, 2017 and thereafter.

Hi! I'm Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author.

I write frequent articles (or view recent posts easily on my Home Page, scroll down) about the nineteenth century American West–every subject of possible interest to readers, amateur historians, authors…as all of these tidbits surfaced while researching for my books. I also blog monthly at Sweet Romance Reads, Sweet Americana Sweethearts, and Romancing the Genres.

I love to hear from readers! Please drop me a note. Or find me on Facebook.

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