(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)
You Don’t Need to Know Everything Before You Start Writing
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Charles Collins gravestone pdf
I’ve been researching and researching, and I still have unanswered questions. I’d like to learn more about Charles C. Collins and his ancestors before I write his story, but I can’t wait forever. I’ve been down so many research rabbit holes that I’ve become comfortable living underground. I don’t think it’s covid related. Now, I must surface and write.
The U. S. Census, findagrave.com, newspapers.com, ancestry.com, articles and books on history, and contacts with descendants of Collins, have been extremely helpful, but I’ve reached a point where my extensive knowledge of the available material is more than enough for me to begin writing a cohesive story.
Sandee Taylor, a member of the Kansas Authors Club, has similar issues. She’s diagnosed too much researching as “research paralysis.” Sandee states, “We love doing it as much as we love writing. It’s a good thing, but it slows the writing process.”
“I, Jim Potter, promise to make writing a priority. I will stop looking for the Trans-Atlantic ship that took Grandfather Collins to Louisiana from Dublin. I will accept, for now, that I may never know the details about Charlie’s father fighting for General Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Mary’s maiden name—Charlie’s mother—may remain a mystery to me. If I never locate the Collins plantations in Louisiana, I will survive. If I can’t confirm that Charlie lived in Leavenworth and Lawrence, Kansas, that’s okay for now. I’d like to know the final resting place of Charlie’s parents and grandparents, but that may never happen. Bottom line, I don’t need to know everything to write the story about the first sheriff of Reno County, Kansas.”
When I write fiction, I don’t obsess about knowing every detail before I start. Instead, I learn incrementally as the story evolves, and I enjoy the surprises. Fiction or nonfiction, I research so that my stories are credible, and I allow space for inspiration and creativity.
One type of writer, the “plotter,” plans the work before starting; the “pantser” writes by the seat of his or her pants, planning very little. For non-fiction writing, especially, I’m a Potter plotter.
Loretta Collins gravestone pdf
Here are some facts, as I know them, about Charles C. Collins. His father and grandfather were plantation owners near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They raised cotton and sugar and owned slaves. Charlie was born in Montgomery County, Alabama in 1844 (or 1845), the second of thirteen children. Despite his southern family influence, Charlie enlisted in the Union Army in 1861 when he was about 17 years old.
I want to understand Charlie’s decision to fight for the Union when he lived in Kansas. Were his parents’ pro-slavery or pro-union? What caused Charlie, who probably lived in Alabama until he was a teenager, to become patriotic and to fight in Mr. Lincoln’s War?
Most people think our history never changes. On the contrary. The history we know changes as we uncover more information. That’s why I get so caught up in digging for additional details.
Here’s my writing plan. I don’t need to know everything. I’ll tell the reader what I know, what I don’t know, and I’ll be specific about what I still want to know. While I’m writing, I can still dream about uncovering hidden treasure from historians, genealogists, and long-lost relatives of Charles Collins.
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Until next time, happy writing and reading.
Great post! Sometimes research takes over writing the story. Looking forward to reading about Mr Collins.
Thanks, Nancy. I seem to have at least two books in my head. I may need to combine them. One is about researching the book, the other about writing it.
Happy New Year!
SO GLAD YOU’RE BACK!
Excellent information.
And wonderful reading! I’ve missed your reeadings.
Thank you! Recording the essay for the blog is a helpful step in my editing process.
Potter plotter,
Research is only one reason that it took me four years to write my latest novel – and that is writing fiction.
It sounds like you want those little details you may never find. Even when I found diaries, they never gave me the emotions I sought. You may have to guess why Charles decided to fight for the Union.
Keep writing, Jim. Keep searching, too. And for those that will be curious someday when you’re no longer here, you might consider a diary for yourself that tells why you seek to find answers.
Thanks, Gloria. It’s nice to know that you’ve lived what I’m talking about. Our ideas may seem to come out of thin air, but that’s usually after we’ve helped enrichen the soil and have planted many seeds.
I like your thinking and acceptance that we may never know nor never have the time to research AND write. I seem to stay overwhelmed with too much of research, not enough time to write it all TODAY, and live outside the rabbit Warren as so so aptly put it.
Good luck.
Thanks, Letty. I have to believe that all writers will die with untold stories. We can only do our best.
I enjoyed this post, Jim. I, too, have been research-bound while trying to write a historical fiction. Finally after nearly two months I had to stop and get some words on paper!! Keep up your good work.
Thanks, Connie. What have you been researching?
Jim: Hi. I was very excited to see your writing about Charles Collins. He is my great great grandfather. I too have been intrigued by his Irish and southern roots. I am sorry that I can’t shed any more light on his earlier days and ancestors. My grandmother told me the story of him taking the name Michel Crook to join the Union army. She always mentioned that he chose Crook because he was crooking the government and Michael because it was a good Irish name. She never mentioned why he fought for the north other than he was patriotic. She did used to say that our southern ancestors were good because they didn’t own slaves. Which, I see from your research that this was not true. Maybe her grandfather wanted to spare his offspring with those details. Somewhere in life he must have grown to dislike slavery enough to fight for the union. Or, he thought preserving the Union was more important.
Thanks for your work on this.
Doug Paul
Hello Doug,
Thank you so much for your comments. I also heard the story of Charles C. Collins enlisting under the name of Michael Crook. I’ll add that to the blog.
I have a million questions for you! You can either answer me on this blog our on my personal email – jim@copintheclassroom.com
Was your grandfather Charles Edward or John? Where do you live?
I hope you’ll respond soon.
Sincerely,
Jim
Hi Jim : I am glad to share what I know. I wish I would have recorded my grandmother when she told family history. Of course seems more important now that I am older.
My grandmother was Mattie Collins (there was another Mattie Collins, an aunt?). Her father, my grandfather, was John Collins. He died fairly young and I don’t know much about him.
His brother Charles Edward moved to Colorado and became an early and influential Cattleman . His family still has the original ranch at Kit Carson.
My grandmother married Homer Paul in Augusta, KS in the 1910s. They had a son, Charles, my dad, in 1925. They farmed near Wellington, KS. After Serving in WW2 he used the GI bill to go to KSU veterinary school. He got a job in DeKalb, IL where I grew up. I moved to western Colorado 44 years ago and live in Glade Park. I will try to help you as much as I can.
Doug
Thank you so much, Doug. Yes, as we get older we start having more questions that will never be answered by our parents and grandparents. I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to some of the Collins family in eastern Colorado. Jody has been extremely helpful.
My knowledge of Reno County Sheriff Charles Collins (1844-1906) has always been aided by the Hutchinson News. It goes back to 1872. That’s the same year that Charlie/Charley was first elected sheriff.
My most challenging research is the trip across the pond from Dublin to Louisiana and then unsuccessfully, so far, of finding the Collins family in Louisiana and Alabama.
My next blog is titled, “In Search of ‘Grandfather’ Collins: Kilkenny to New Orleans.”
Well good luck Jim. I would really be interested in those early years too.
Thanks Doug