It’s been a whirlwind since the August 14 book launch for BLOOMING PRAIRIE. Since then I’ve signed books in Mankato, New Ulm, Crosby, Fort Abercrombie, and Dorset. I attended a great book club in Hackensack, co-taught a writing workshop with my sister Angela Foster, and spoke to the Glenwood Sons of Norway. I’m getting ready for the Dalton Threshing Bee and planning ahead to a signing at the Grant County Historical Society and the Minot Hostfest. At the same time my sister and I are preparing our manuscript for FARM GIRLS, our collaboration of poems and essays about growing up on a Minnesota dairy farm.
My writing journey is different than I expected it to be. I had no idea the difficulty in writing and revising and the perseverance that would be necessary. Then in my limited perspective I thought the work would be over once the book was written. I didn’t realize that marketing and promotion must equal the actual time spent writing. It was beyond my wildest expectations to find readers who appreciate my work. Thank you for your interest in my historical novels.
Yes, there will be more historical novels in my future. I’m researching Bonanza Farms right now for my next series. I’ll keep you posted.
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Candace, In Rendsville Twp in Stevens County there were Bonanza farms. In fact, the village of Donnelly took the name of Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Ignatius Donnelly because he owned bonanza farms in our vicinity.
The two Harstad brothers and four Erickson brothers were among the very first Norwegian immigrants in Stevens County. My Grandmother Erikka was Lars Harstad’s widow when Grandfather Ole Erickson married her. I own 80 acres of Ole’s farm, left to my Mother Edna, Ole and Erikka’s daughter, and purchased by Ole in 1898.
A reference is “The History of Stevens County,” by Edna Mae Busch, 1976, page 13, “Bonanza Farms.”
-Gordon
What exactly is a bonanza farm? One of a certain acreage?