My First Book

By Donna Erickson



I’ve been asked this question hundreds of times: Have you written any books? I’ve always had to reply “no” and then explain what I do write. Finally, all that is about to change. I’m writing my first book and learning a lot as I go along.

After completing a major investigative search into my genealogical background, I suddenly decided the lives of my maternal grandparents would be great material for a book. The drama, excitement, and countless struggles they endured coming from Lithuania to this country--as they set the stage for future generations--could serve as the foundation of a gripping tale. I was excited about the idea and eager to begin. Although my book is based on their actual lives, I am writing it as historical fiction. Neither my parents nor my grandparents are alive today. I stare at their photos and wonder what information they would have for me--the unknown details of their lives and the lives of their parents. I recently received a picture from my cousin of my great-grandparents before they came to America. A lot of my story is written around that picture. Somehow, I feel more connected to them and able to imagine their trials and tribulations and what their personalities were like. None of my living relatives knew them or know much about the lives they lived. My cousin was helpful in providing important incidents I have recounted in the early chapters of the book.

It’s very strange “getting into the minds” of your great-grandparents to create the dialogue for the story. It’s also quite sad to imagine what they lived through–the terror, the persecution--and the courage they needed to flee their homeland.

I have completed a rough draft of Chapters One, Two, and Three and have prepared an outline for the remainder of the book. I am estimating a total of twelve chapters and somewhere around 250 pages. I found it helpful to have completed character sketches and plot points before beginning to write. The website www.writethatnovel.com has been especially helpful. There are forms you can download and print out to help you through the stages of manuscript preparation.

Researching the historical time period has been the most challenging part so far. I’ve had to find out about architecture of nineteenth century homes in two separate European districts, as well as the influence of the Russian Czar’s rulings on my ancestors and their daily lives. (Russia governed Lithuania at the time.) I never stopped to think just how bad conditions were for my ancestors. I remember the first time I saw the movie, Fiddler On the Roof, and crying at the end—yet the movie didn’t show the scenes of horror, death, and destruction these people later encountered.

Each day, I am trying to write at least one page (in addition to a full-time writing career) and more on the weekends. It may take me a year to complete, but I’m determined and motivated to get it done.