by Delores Topliff, @DeloresTopliff
Plant a seed, water it, then jump back as growth shoots up!
Invite your friends and critique partners to watch and celebrate your harvest.
I wrote four children’s books before writing novels. As a 15-year-old, I did lots of babysitting for my younger sister and brother. They loved stories but their favorites were ones they’d requested me to make up.
“What about?” I’d ask, and they’d tell me.
Their favorite involved an Indian chief past his prime who saved his tribe from a “three-legged, 17-toed, loud-growling, fierce and hungry Grizzly Bear.” By popular demand, that’s now published as Little Big Chief and the Bear Hunt plus its sequel, Little Chief and Ogopogo.
People are fascinating. Study them. I based one character sketch for a writing course on a girl I knew briefly in the sixth grade. That sketch took off and grew into a compelling full book that will release next year as The River’s Daughter.
Find inspiration where you live. It’s all around us. I grew up in Vancouver, Washington. The Columbia River divides Washington State from Oregon. After hearing that a Japanese submarine entered our river in 1942 and fired on a military base but the government kept that quiet for 50 years, I researched, brainstormed, and published Books Afloat in 2021 and Strong Currents in 2023.
Vancouver is also at the end of the Oregon Trail. Many people know of Fort Vancouver’s founder, Dr. John McLoughlin. Fewer know about his wife, but I found a gold mine. The courageous story of Marguerite Wadin MacKay McLoughlin, a mixed blood abandoned single mother before Dr. John met her and realized her worth was released last year as Wilderness Wife.
Books can arise from needs. A retired archaeologist visited the college where I taught and donated $3,000 if I’d go to Israel to learn enough Archaeology to teach it. I loved that nation and people so much that I worked hard and sent myself eight more times plus maintain contact with many when I’m not there. So many friends and even strangers have asked for my help in planning their trips to Israel that my notes are now an unusual, helpful, and fun book, A Traveling Grandma’s Guide to Israel: Adventures, Wit, and Wisdom will release June 27th.
So sit up, look around, listen, and write. Find the story ideas people want to read and then write them. You’ll enjoy the process.
When German Christian, Erika Hofer, opposes Hitler, church leader Dietrich Bonhoeffer helps her flee to her uncle John Hofer along the Columbia River in America’s Pacific Northwest. Erika finds acceptance and support but also suspicion, hatred, and an attempt on her life. American pastor’s son, Josh Vengeance, joins the US Navy to serve his country, but is injured at Midway Island and invalided home. While healing in body and spirit, he joins a network of colorful individuals, including John Hofer and his niece, Erika, who defend their homeland as volunteers. Can two wounded young people move past betrayal and disillusionment to find love and freedom during a world at war?
Delores Topliff is from Washington State near the Columbia River and writes this story based on the exciting but little known attacks and dangerous invasions that happened there during World War 2. She divides her year between family near Twin Cities, Minnesota and friends and warmer temperatures in Northeast Mississippi, while writing, speaking, and teaching online. She loves her grandchildren and travel. Find her blogs, books, and more at delorestopliff.com and on Facebook at Delores Topliff books.