Tag Archives: Writers

ISSUE FOURTEEN [R]evolving Research: Creating a Timeline

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Hi there! It’s been a hot second since the previous entry in this series. My silence wasn’t from lack of research; far from it, actually. It’s because, six weeks later, I am still cataloging J’s main scrapbook. The reason it is taking so long? Early in the process, I also decided to start working on her main timeline. It simply makes sense to do one alongside the other. Current me is quite pleased with past me. Great choice, me. However, I didn’t want to bore you with the same spiel week in, week out for months. Thus, the lack of [R]evolving Research content as of late. Going forward, I will do posts when I have enough new content. Let’s see how that goes.

RESEARCH NOTES: WEEKS 16-21

  • VICTORY: Sticking with this project (and looking forward to working on it) even when I am super busy with life. Knowing that I hold a huge responsibility in my hands is very grounding.
  • HAPPY DISCOVERY: Every new entry on J’s Master Timeline gets me a teensy bit closer to seeing her life in a more cohesive way.
  • FRUSTRATION: Just the usual: not enough time or energy to do all of the things at once.
  • CURRENTLY READING: The contents of J’s main scrapbook.
  • HOURS SPENT ON RESEARCH: Haha, I’ve truly no idea.

You may have noticed that there’s a Ko-fi button hanging out on the sidebar. If you have questions: Here’s an article explaining what that is all about. It’s truly a no-pressure situation. I will not mention it going forward, except on posts about my biography research.

Until next time!

Two Exits: Berthe Morisot and D.H. Lawrence

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“A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it.”–D.H. Lawrence (11 September 1885-2 March 1930), Lady Chatterley’s Lover

Reading (Portrait of Edma Morisot) by Berthe Morisot (1873).

Berthe Morisot (14 January 1841-2 March 1895).

ISSUE THIRTEEN [R]evolving Research: Scrapbook, Endless

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I’ve spent most of the past week+ methodically recording the contents of J’s main scrapbook. I’m only about 25 percent finished. This is going to take awhile. Fortunately, it’s easy for me to get a rhythm going if I do it while watching T20 cricket. Whatever works, right? This might sound tedious to you, but I’m a weirdo who finds this kind of thing to be ridiculous amounts of fun. Every day that I work on this mini-project, I’m reminded of how lucky I am to be the caretaker of J’s legacy. Who knows how many impulsive decisions were made over the years to ensure that her scrapbooks and photos were not tossed in the trash? I’m well aware that this path was a fragile one. One false step could have resulted in an unknowable tragedy.

RESEARCH NOTES: WEEK 15

  • VICTORY: I’m feeling gratitude this week. My victory is that this project fell in my lap.
  • HAPPY DISCOVERY: I am learning so, so much from the contents of J’s scrapbook. Too many amazing things to decide between.
  • FRUSTRATION: My writing hand hurts.
  • CURRENTLY READING: Process: The Writing Lives of Great Authors by Sarah Stodola (for some personal inspiration)
  • HOURS SPENT ON RESEARCH: 15

Until next time!

ISSUE ELEVEN [R]evolving Research: Getting Organized (Again)

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Happy New Year! 2021 will be the first full year of my research. (I only started this project about three months ago.) I’m excited to find out where things take me. I’ve already learned a significant amount of information about J, yet I know it’s a drop in the ocean of what I’ll need in order to write this biography.

RESEARCH NOTES: WEEK 13

  • VICTORY: Cleaning and organizing my studio. It’s much easier to get absorbed in work when my surroundings are neat.
  • HAPPY DISCOVERY: I wasn’t as behind on my organization of research sources as I thought.
  • FRUSTRATION: I’m working more hours at my day job(s). It’s great being able to pay bills, but I am constantly busy…and tired.
  • CURRENTLY READING: A Brief History of Memphis by G. Wayne Dowdy
  • HOURS SPENT ON RESEARCH: 11

ISSUE TEN [R]evolving Research: The 100-Year-Old Musical Instrument

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Last week was extra busy because of Christmas. We didn’t go anywhere, of course, because of the pandemic. There was a lot of baking and some last-minute decorating, though. I still fit in a fair amount of reading amidst the chaos. I also learned a new fact about J, courtesy of a nearly 101-year-old source. Yay!

RESEARCH NOTES: WEEK 12

  • VICTORY: I feel as if this is something I frequently mention, but continuing my research, every day, no matter how busy I am is definitely a victory.
  • HAPPY DISCOVERY: A small newspaper blurb from January 1920, when J was 19, describes her as a “uke-banjoist.” This is the first indication I’ve had that she was also a musician. Another course of research to follow up on in the future.
  • FRUSTRATION: Sometimes I feel as if three-plus years is not enough time to research the life and career of J.
  • CURRENTLY READING: A Guide to Historic Downtown Memphis by William Patton
  • HOURS SPENT ON RESEARCH: 13

Ad from 17 July 1919.

Until next time!

ISSUE NINE [R]evolving Research: The Mystery Wife

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Anyone who has ever researched their family history knows that there are always branches missing from the tree. Looking into J’s husband’s past, I quickly found his first wife…or so I thought. They married in 1916. Easy peasy, right? After all, only two wives were listed on Archives.com AND Ancestry.com, J being the second. Weeks later, whilst reading a 1910 issue of Lyceumite & Talent (which is practically a pastime unto itself), I found mention of R’s wife. She was listed only as Mrs. R. Thanks a lot, early twentieth-century norms. Six full years before his marriage to supposed wife #1. Suddenly, wife #1 was wife #2, and J was moved to third position. Confusing, eh?

Who was the mystery first wife? I finally solved the puzzle last week. As I knew from that trade publication article, she was a performer. All of R’s wives, as it turns out, were actress-singers. He had a type: women of accomplishment and talent. I like that about him.

Wife #1 now has a name (and a stage name, too). Another long research road to walk down. Why is this important? As I’ve said before, J’s career was intertwined with that of her much-older husband. His performing and producing life pre-dated his relationship with her by 20 years. He worked with his first two wives, just as he did with J. I cannot talk about her professional endeavors without covering how they converged with those of R and his previous wives. Is it a mess or a blessing? Only time, and more research, will tell.

RESEARCH NOTES: WEEK 11

  • VICTORY: I finished another book in my research process, even though the holidays are upon us.
  • HAPPY DISCOVERY: R’s first wife’s identity, of course!
  • FRUSTRATION: I’m still mending from my accident.
  • CURRENTLY READING: Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition by Daniel Okrent
  • HOURS SPENT ON RESEARCH: 12

Until next time!