On August 6 of this year I turned in my manuscript for my memoir to my publisher West Margin Press. RAISED IN RUINS is about growing up in the ruins of a cannery in the Alaskan wilderness with only my family.
It took me just over a year to write it. I’m not somebody who dwells on the past a lot, so it was a struggle, but also an adventure, to constantly delve into things I’d experienced that I hadn’t thought about in years.
I found that just the process of writing memories down made more memories surface. And when I re-wrote them, additional details I’d forgotten jumped to the surface. To help me remember, I had written a lot of journals when I was a kid, we’d audio recorded conversations, and my entire family generously shared their point of view of what had happened. Of course I had to write it the way I experienced it, but they helped me remember a lot that I’d forgotten, making it a fuller, deeper story.
And in the process of writing the memoir I came to realize in a way I never had before what an amazing experience we had. We lived so remotely that it gave me a different perspective on space and especially time than I would have had growing up in the world.
We learned many lessons children aren’t usually taught, including the basic one of how to survive, which I wrote about in a guest blog for a wonderful woman and inspirational blogger who in one brief experience of Alaska understood it immediately and deeply. Her name is Carla Kirkland and you can find my guest blog at: https://carlakirklandwriter.com/2019/08/24/how-to-survive/
Due to ongoing signal problems my blogs will have to be shorter than usual with less photos, but if this works I’m hoping I can post them more regularly in the future.
I can’t wait to see what happens with RAISED IN RUINS and how readers will respond to it when it comes out next year.
Daneel
8/27/2019 12:45:25 pm
Your guest blog was WONDERFUL. I urge everyone to read it!
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Tara
8/27/2019 09:02:30 pm
Thanks, Daneel! I seem to be able to comment briefly so just wanted to thank you for your constant support.
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PlaysInTheDirt
8/27/2019 01:35:38 pm
I can’t wait to read it. I’ve missed your blog posts, meanwhile, but consider the loss worth the future gain . . . of getting to read the book! Congratulations.
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Tara
8/27/2019 09:01:16 pm
It’s good to hear from you again, Plays! I’m going to keep this brief in the hopes it goes thru. I hope you’re well & thanks!
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8/27/2019 04:45:31 pm
I love that you wrote as my guest blogger and that you are renewing your own blog. It is difficult to write your book and blog regularly. Particularly when your Internet service doesn’t cooperate! I am amazed how you write, live up to the challenges the Southeast throws at you daily, and lift and encourage fellow writers. You are my hero! You live what so many of us won’t or cannot. So glad I am able to call you my friend.
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Tara
8/27/2019 09:05:01 pm
What a wonderful thing to say! I really needed to hear that, I’ve been feeling pretty bad about the way I haven’t kept up with my blog. You’re a good friend, Carla, thank you.
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Mayr Boros
8/28/2019 03:55:31 am
I am intrigued by your life in Alaska. Sounds inspirational. Congratulations on the book! May you have a huge following. 🙂
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8/28/2019 08:09:58 am
Congratulations Tara. Can’t wait to read about your amazing adventures.
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Aleya
8/30/2019 11:21:24 am
I cannot wait to read your book!
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MaryJo
9/3/2019 02:23:36 pm
Much enjoyed my 1st visit to your blog, Tara!
We have a prior connection and I have sent you a personal note.
Will anticipate the official publication of your manuscript.
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Jonee
9/14/2019 07:26:30 am
Like everyone, I have missed your blog posts, but often there is a silver lining behind internet issues – in this case, your awesome book that I can’t wait to read! Was happy to see your most recent, especially with your great news!
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