Clara's Way
This historical novel depicts the controversial first fourteen months of the United States’ occupation in the Canal Zone as authentically as fiction allows. The story provides little-known details about Panama Canal history.
Two things inspired the story.
In 2015, my husband and I sailed through the Panama Canal on a cruise ship (check out my blog). After seeing this man-made wonder up close, as well as listening to guest lecturers on board the ship, I knew the majestic waterway would eventually find its way into one of my novels.
A second inspiration came while sorting through a bunch of old family photos. This woman and her horse captured my attention. I learned she was my husband's aunt, Dora Carothers. Born in 1882, Dora grew up on a farm in Cutler, Ohio, the oldest of nine children. She graduated from nursing school in Cincinnati in her early twenties, and then served as a Red Cross nurse in Europe during the First World War. She later moved to Kentucky, riding a patient circuit to care for the rural population. Dora never married. She was a beloved, hard-working, career woman who paid for her younger siblings' education. She lived a full life, dying in 1969 at the age of eighty-seven. After realizing Dora served as a nurse at the same time the United States began work on the Panama Canal, I knew I had my storyline.
Next came research. I read David McCullough's intriguing non-fiction book, The Path Between the Seas. McCullough describes the construction of the Panama Canal as a “profoundly important historic event and a sweeping human drama.” I couldn’t agree more. That book led me to John M. Gibson’s book, Physician to the World: the life of General William C. Gorgas. Lastly, I read Florence Nightingale's book, Notes on Nursing. These resources allowed me to line up facts and fiction to create an engaging plot.
Check out the book trailer to get a feel for the story. To order a copy, click here.
Two things inspired the story.
In 2015, my husband and I sailed through the Panama Canal on a cruise ship (check out my blog). After seeing this man-made wonder up close, as well as listening to guest lecturers on board the ship, I knew the majestic waterway would eventually find its way into one of my novels.
A second inspiration came while sorting through a bunch of old family photos. This woman and her horse captured my attention. I learned she was my husband's aunt, Dora Carothers. Born in 1882, Dora grew up on a farm in Cutler, Ohio, the oldest of nine children. She graduated from nursing school in Cincinnati in her early twenties, and then served as a Red Cross nurse in Europe during the First World War. She later moved to Kentucky, riding a patient circuit to care for the rural population. Dora never married. She was a beloved, hard-working, career woman who paid for her younger siblings' education. She lived a full life, dying in 1969 at the age of eighty-seven. After realizing Dora served as a nurse at the same time the United States began work on the Panama Canal, I knew I had my storyline.
Next came research. I read David McCullough's intriguing non-fiction book, The Path Between the Seas. McCullough describes the construction of the Panama Canal as a “profoundly important historic event and a sweeping human drama.” I couldn’t agree more. That book led me to John M. Gibson’s book, Physician to the World: the life of General William C. Gorgas. Lastly, I read Florence Nightingale's book, Notes on Nursing. These resources allowed me to line up facts and fiction to create an engaging plot.
Check out the book trailer to get a feel for the story. To order a copy, click here.
|
|
I spend months crafting a plot. Once I have a solid outline, I think a lot about my characters. I get to know them well: what they look like, how they talk, how they earn a living. I know their positive and negative traits, what motivates them, as well as their biases. I know their birthdates, their hobbies, all of their relationships, and goals.
After I've nailed the character profiles, I create a playlist to set the mood. The right song immediately draws me into a character's mind so I act and think like her or him. I also use pictures to guide me on the writing journey. Having these audio and visual prompts transport me mentally to wherever I need to go to write a credible story.
Here are a few of the images that inspired Clara's Way. Enjoy the slideshow!
After I've nailed the character profiles, I create a playlist to set the mood. The right song immediately draws me into a character's mind so I act and think like her or him. I also use pictures to guide me on the writing journey. Having these audio and visual prompts transport me mentally to wherever I need to go to write a credible story.
Here are a few of the images that inspired Clara's Way. Enjoy the slideshow!
Reviews & Recognition
* "Well-crafted fiction that offers little-known details about the Panama Canal history." Kirkus Reviews
* Honoree of a B.R.A.G Medallion
* "Author Roberta R. Carr delivers many excellent qualities within this rich work of historical fiction, engrossing us in an emotive tale but also exposing and educating on less-known facets of historical importance at the same time. I would highly recommend Clara's Way to fans of immersive historical fiction that is well researched and exceedingly well penned." Readers' Favorite
* Honoree of a B.R.A.G Medallion
* "Author Roberta R. Carr delivers many excellent qualities within this rich work of historical fiction, engrossing us in an emotive tale but also exposing and educating on less-known facets of historical importance at the same time. I would highly recommend Clara's Way to fans of immersive historical fiction that is well researched and exceedingly well penned." Readers' Favorite