Developing the Fictional Mary Shirley
The real Mary Shirley turned thirteen in 1775. Her birth date is recorded in family records as February 17, 1762. Although birth years for Mary’s younger siblings vary across websites, Mary’s date remains consistent and undisputed. She was the firstborn child of Michael and Catherine Shirley. I chose the most reliable birth dates for the …
Story Circle Interview from 2017
Who is Mary Shirley McGuire?
Discovering Michael Shirley’s Land
When I began writing Defiance on Indian Creek, in 2008, all I found on Michael Shirley’s land came from a Google Book copy of Oren Morton’s book, A History of Monroe County West Virginia. Listed on page 82 under Surveys under Botetourt County in 1774, in the following format: Shirley, Michael–527–Indian—L—Mar 24. However, I didn’t …
A Whole New Side of the American Revolution
I’m pleased book one in the Dangerous Loyalties series, Defiance on Indian Creek, is being used by educators for use in Literary Arts and Social Studies curriculums. As I researched Daughters of the American Revolution Patriots, Mary Shirley McGuire and her papa Michael Shirley, a whole new side of the American Revolution unfolded and begged …
Continue reading "A Whole New Side of the American Revolution"
Upheaval and Turmoil
Shirley descendants recorded Mary's date of birth as 17 February 1762. As I contemplated writing a fictional novel about her life, it occurred to me that she turned thirteen in 1775. That eureka moment led to the question, how would a young teen girl cope with the upheaval of her papa being away, fighting Indians? …
Generational Word Confusion
The children, in my young adult historical adventure novel, sleep on straw-stuffed pallets in 1775. A young beta reader expressed confusion. She was picturing the wooded structures boxes sit on--SIGH. What is another word for pallet, or how do I give further details without becoming wordy from a 1st person point of view? In other words, "I lay Charlie on …
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