Andrea here, musing on the stories we authors tell, and what sparks them. I get asked a lot about how I come up with ideas, and it’s impossible to give a simple answer. Inspiration comes in an infinite number of ways—many of them totally unexpected! And those serendipitous discoveries of fun things to weave into a plot often come from what many of us authors call the “Rabbit Hole” effect.
Sooo, what’s a Rabbit Hole? It’s what happens when I do a quick google search, meaning to spend a few minutes checking a simple fact or researching a specific fact . . . and lo and behold, some other detail within the text catches my eye. That results in another search, which leads to more fascinating details that draw me deeper and deeper into—you guessed it—the Rabbit Hole. (It can sometimes take hours to emerge!) (Above: Ernst Hermann Joseph von Münch)
Being a “pantser” (someone who writes by the seat of my pants) I’m always delighted when an “ah-ha” moment suddenly throws a new twist into my admittedly very vague outline. (Psst, don’t tell my editor this!) So, I thought I would share a recent Rabbit Hole incident to give you some sense of the strange and wondrous ways in which an author’s mind works.
I’ve begun noodling the very rough concept of a new Wrexford & Sloane mystery. It’s going to start with the murder of a librarian in Merton College, which is one of the oldest and most renowned of the self-governing colleges that make up Oxford University. Now, when I’m in the “thinking” mode, I’m easily distracted. I was sitting there musing about rare books and scholars when for no good reason—other than to procrastinate—I vaguely remembered that one of my Swiss ancestors was a historian, who had written some very scholarly books.
So on a whim, I googled him. (As the illustration above shows, my mother had a wonderful, elaborately hand-painted family tree that her father had made for her, and it’s come down to me. That’s the branch with Ernst and his wife and children. Thank heavens my mother, whose father’s name was also Ernst, didn’t name me Malwina!)
To my surprise, Ernst Hermann Joseph von Münch had short Wikipedia page—he’s a pretty dapper-looking fellow—and then my eyes widened as I read that he along with being a very well-respected scholar, he also became the librarian to the King of Württemberg in 1831. Another tap-tap on my keyboard then googled the King of Württemberg. (Right: King William I)
This is bad. Now I’m really down the Rabbit Hole.
Ancestor Ernst was librarian to King William I, who apparently was a rather good ruler. Liberal-minded at a time when other autocrats were trying to keep an iron grip on their powers, he made sweeping reforms and allowed Württemberg to become a constitutional state . . . But interesting as reading about William was, I found my attention caught by his father, King Frederick I. (Below: King Frederick I)
Talk about a larger-than-life (quite literally) character for a Regency-set novel! Frederick was 6’11” tall and as a lover of fine food and wine, he came to weigh 400 pounds. (In that day and age, he must have really stood out from the crowd.) I was surprised that I hadn’t run into him him before in various research because he’s intimately connected to some of the most famous people of the Regency.
In 1797, when Frederick became the Duke, Württemberg was just one of many small German dukedoms and principalities. But through his conniving with Napoleon —and because of his family connections—Württemberg was made a kingdom in 1805 in return for Frederick supplying Napoleon with troops. This was a little awkward, as Frederick was the son-in-law of King George III of Britain (he married the King’s eldest daughter after his first wife died) He was also the uncle of Tsar Alexander of Russia. Not only that, his first wife’s sister was Caroline of Brunswick, the wife of the Prince Regent. Talk about being in the center of Regency intrigue! (Below: James Gillray satirical cartoon of King Frederick's wedding night)
Frederick switched sides and joined the Allied Coalition, in 1813, causing Napoleon to make a very nasty remark about Frederick’s personal appearance, saying that God had created Frederick to demonstrate the utmost extent to which the human skin could be stretched without bursting. In return, Frederick is said to have remarked that he wondered how so much poison could fit in such a small head as that of Napoleon.
Honestly, you can’t make this stuff up.
Now, you may be getting a sense of where I’m going with all this. How can I possibly resist adding Ancestor Ernst to my budding story idea. The idea is that he’ll make a “cameo” appearance as a Royal librarian who is visiting Oxford and will play a small role in helping Wrexford and Charlotte solve a complex mystery. (Okay, I’ll need to take some artistic license and make him Frederick’s librarian to fit the right time frame, but hey, he’s my ancestor, so I feel that I’m allowed to have some fun.) Frederick I did visit England occasionally, and given his relationships with the leaders of the era, he’s an absolutely perfect character to add another layer of intrigue to the story. (Above: Tsar Alexander of Russia)
So that’s a quick peek inside the admittedly odd brain of an author for a look at how ideas percolate . . . and how the Rabbit Hole can lead to really interesting discoveries. I’m delighted to have met King Frederick I, yet another fascinating and colorful character of the Regency.
How about you? Have you discovered any interesting surprises, unexpected connections or fascinating people in your family tree? And have you ever started to look up or research something and ended up going down a Rabbit Hole of your own? Please share!
I know very little about my parents’ families. I have a box full of old photos with no names to them because nobody wrote them on the back because everybody knew (then) who they were.
I once told a childhood incident to one of my brothers about the time some of my aunts on my father’s side visited one afternoon, and he said “We had aunts?” My parents were both part of that wave who left home for Sunny California and all those orange trees when they were young. In their day, people only wrote to family when there was something to say, and they only phoned if somebody died and a letter wouldn’t get there fast enough. Out of sight, out of mind. My dad was happy to leave his past behind, but my mother was fond of her family and I wondered why they didn’t write each other more.
The Mormon Church keeps good records and that is how I found out the names of my mother’s parents and her sisters and brother. I’m not in the records because one day some strange guy showed up unannounced at my apartment with a computer printout, wanting to ask questions. I surmised that my mom had given him my address but I still thought it was infuriating, and kinda Big Brotherish, although I’m sure (by his lights) he meant well. So I was struck off as requested.
In short, family history is its own rabbit hole, and though I am somewhat curious about some of mine, I’ve never done more than a cursory google. I plan to leave it that way.
As for rabbit holes of other topics of curiosity, yes, I fall down them all the time. It’s amazing where they lead, and how fast the time goes when you’re following those leads. If I were an author I am sure I would never get any writing done.
I know very little about my parents’ families. I have a box full of old photos with no names to them because nobody wrote them on the back because everybody knew (then) who they were.
I once told a childhood incident to one of my brothers about the time some of my aunts on my father’s side visited one afternoon, and he said “We had aunts?” My parents were both part of that wave who left home for Sunny California and all those orange trees when they were young. In their day, people only wrote to family when there was something to say, and they only phoned if somebody died and a letter wouldn’t get there fast enough. Out of sight, out of mind. My dad was happy to leave his past behind, but my mother was fond of her family and I wondered why they didn’t write each other more.
The Mormon Church keeps good records and that is how I found out the names of my mother’s parents and her sisters and brother. I’m not in the records because one day some strange guy showed up unannounced at my apartment with a computer printout, wanting to ask questions. I surmised that my mom had given him my address but I still thought it was infuriating, and kinda Big Brotherish, although I’m sure (by his lights) he meant well. So I was struck off as requested.
In short, family history is its own rabbit hole, and though I am somewhat curious about some of mine, I’ve never done more than a cursory google. I plan to leave it that way.
As for rabbit holes of other topics of curiosity, yes, I fall down them all the time. It’s amazing where they lead, and how fast the time goes when you’re following those leads. If I were an author I am sure I would never get any writing done.
I know very little about my parents’ families. I have a box full of old photos with no names to them because nobody wrote them on the back because everybody knew (then) who they were.
I once told a childhood incident to one of my brothers about the time some of my aunts on my father’s side visited one afternoon, and he said “We had aunts?” My parents were both part of that wave who left home for Sunny California and all those orange trees when they were young. In their day, people only wrote to family when there was something to say, and they only phoned if somebody died and a letter wouldn’t get there fast enough. Out of sight, out of mind. My dad was happy to leave his past behind, but my mother was fond of her family and I wondered why they didn’t write each other more.
The Mormon Church keeps good records and that is how I found out the names of my mother’s parents and her sisters and brother. I’m not in the records because one day some strange guy showed up unannounced at my apartment with a computer printout, wanting to ask questions. I surmised that my mom had given him my address but I still thought it was infuriating, and kinda Big Brotherish, although I’m sure (by his lights) he meant well. So I was struck off as requested.
In short, family history is its own rabbit hole, and though I am somewhat curious about some of mine, I’ve never done more than a cursory google. I plan to leave it that way.
As for rabbit holes of other topics of curiosity, yes, I fall down them all the time. It’s amazing where they lead, and how fast the time goes when you’re following those leads. If I were an author I am sure I would never get any writing done.
I know very little about my parents’ families. I have a box full of old photos with no names to them because nobody wrote them on the back because everybody knew (then) who they were.
I once told a childhood incident to one of my brothers about the time some of my aunts on my father’s side visited one afternoon, and he said “We had aunts?” My parents were both part of that wave who left home for Sunny California and all those orange trees when they were young. In their day, people only wrote to family when there was something to say, and they only phoned if somebody died and a letter wouldn’t get there fast enough. Out of sight, out of mind. My dad was happy to leave his past behind, but my mother was fond of her family and I wondered why they didn’t write each other more.
The Mormon Church keeps good records and that is how I found out the names of my mother’s parents and her sisters and brother. I’m not in the records because one day some strange guy showed up unannounced at my apartment with a computer printout, wanting to ask questions. I surmised that my mom had given him my address but I still thought it was infuriating, and kinda Big Brotherish, although I’m sure (by his lights) he meant well. So I was struck off as requested.
In short, family history is its own rabbit hole, and though I am somewhat curious about some of mine, I’ve never done more than a cursory google. I plan to leave it that way.
As for rabbit holes of other topics of curiosity, yes, I fall down them all the time. It’s amazing where they lead, and how fast the time goes when you’re following those leads. If I were an author I am sure I would never get any writing done.
I know very little about my parents’ families. I have a box full of old photos with no names to them because nobody wrote them on the back because everybody knew (then) who they were.
I once told a childhood incident to one of my brothers about the time some of my aunts on my father’s side visited one afternoon, and he said “We had aunts?” My parents were both part of that wave who left home for Sunny California and all those orange trees when they were young. In their day, people only wrote to family when there was something to say, and they only phoned if somebody died and a letter wouldn’t get there fast enough. Out of sight, out of mind. My dad was happy to leave his past behind, but my mother was fond of her family and I wondered why they didn’t write each other more.
The Mormon Church keeps good records and that is how I found out the names of my mother’s parents and her sisters and brother. I’m not in the records because one day some strange guy showed up unannounced at my apartment with a computer printout, wanting to ask questions. I surmised that my mom had given him my address but I still thought it was infuriating, and kinda Big Brotherish, although I’m sure (by his lights) he meant well. So I was struck off as requested.
In short, family history is its own rabbit hole, and though I am somewhat curious about some of mine, I’ve never done more than a cursory google. I plan to leave it that way.
As for rabbit holes of other topics of curiosity, yes, I fall down them all the time. It’s amazing where they lead, and how fast the time goes when you’re following those leads. If I were an author I am sure I would never get any writing done.
I really need to write the names on the backs of those old photos, because at this point, I’m the only one who knows who some of them are.
I love spending time down research rabbit holes, but I’ve never been much for genealogy. I kind of like the conflicting family legends and don’t really want to find out the truth of whether that Fenian ancestor was murdered by British agents or died in a barroom brawl.
I really need to write the names on the backs of those old photos, because at this point, I’m the only one who knows who some of them are.
I love spending time down research rabbit holes, but I’ve never been much for genealogy. I kind of like the conflicting family legends and don’t really want to find out the truth of whether that Fenian ancestor was murdered by British agents or died in a barroom brawl.
I really need to write the names on the backs of those old photos, because at this point, I’m the only one who knows who some of them are.
I love spending time down research rabbit holes, but I’ve never been much for genealogy. I kind of like the conflicting family legends and don’t really want to find out the truth of whether that Fenian ancestor was murdered by British agents or died in a barroom brawl.
I really need to write the names on the backs of those old photos, because at this point, I’m the only one who knows who some of them are.
I love spending time down research rabbit holes, but I’ve never been much for genealogy. I kind of like the conflicting family legends and don’t really want to find out the truth of whether that Fenian ancestor was murdered by British agents or died in a barroom brawl.
I really need to write the names on the backs of those old photos, because at this point, I’m the only one who knows who some of them are.
I love spending time down research rabbit holes, but I’ve never been much for genealogy. I kind of like the conflicting family legends and don’t really want to find out the truth of whether that Fenian ancestor was murdered by British agents or died in a barroom brawl.
Janice, as your story points out, families are complicated. So many emotional things that can make any discussion on family tree a fraught one. I wouldn’t have liked some stranger knocking on my door and trying to add me to databank, and think I would have done the same thing as you.
LOL on your ‘time flies when you’re in the rabbit hole” comment. They are truly dangerous! But they do sometimes yield some real research and story idea gems
Janice, as your story points out, families are complicated. So many emotional things that can make any discussion on family tree a fraught one. I wouldn’t have liked some stranger knocking on my door and trying to add me to databank, and think I would have done the same thing as you.
LOL on your ‘time flies when you’re in the rabbit hole” comment. They are truly dangerous! But they do sometimes yield some real research and story idea gems
Janice, as your story points out, families are complicated. So many emotional things that can make any discussion on family tree a fraught one. I wouldn’t have liked some stranger knocking on my door and trying to add me to databank, and think I would have done the same thing as you.
LOL on your ‘time flies when you’re in the rabbit hole” comment. They are truly dangerous! But they do sometimes yield some real research and story idea gems
Janice, as your story points out, families are complicated. So many emotional things that can make any discussion on family tree a fraught one. I wouldn’t have liked some stranger knocking on my door and trying to add me to databank, and think I would have done the same thing as you.
LOL on your ‘time flies when you’re in the rabbit hole” comment. They are truly dangerous! But they do sometimes yield some real research and story idea gems
Janice, as your story points out, families are complicated. So many emotional things that can make any discussion on family tree a fraught one. I wouldn’t have liked some stranger knocking on my door and trying to add me to databank, and think I would have done the same thing as you.
LOL on your ‘time flies when you’re in the rabbit hole” comment. They are truly dangerous! But they do sometimes yield some real research and story idea gems
Ha, ha, Lil—I like your thinking! Sometimes the romance of a family is too good to spoil with reality!
Ha, ha, Lil—I like your thinking! Sometimes the romance of a family is too good to spoil with reality!
Ha, ha, Lil—I like your thinking! Sometimes the romance of a family is too good to spoil with reality!
Ha, ha, Lil—I like your thinking! Sometimes the romance of a family is too good to spoil with reality!
Ha, ha, Lil—I like your thinking! Sometimes the romance of a family is too good to spoil with reality!
How neat that this entire post came about due to curiosity about your ancestor Ernst, Malwina…I mean, Andrea!
I have a second or third cousin who is 6’8″, and I think that he’s tall. So, yes the 6’11” Frederick must have been exceptional during the regency period.
I suspect we’ve all fallen down rabbit holes! My husband (whose father was born in Italy) found a town in Italy with his surname. My daughter, who has an unusual first name and that same Italian surname, learned that there is another young woman who shares her first and last names.
How neat that this entire post came about due to curiosity about your ancestor Ernst, Malwina…I mean, Andrea!
I have a second or third cousin who is 6’8″, and I think that he’s tall. So, yes the 6’11” Frederick must have been exceptional during the regency period.
I suspect we’ve all fallen down rabbit holes! My husband (whose father was born in Italy) found a town in Italy with his surname. My daughter, who has an unusual first name and that same Italian surname, learned that there is another young woman who shares her first and last names.
How neat that this entire post came about due to curiosity about your ancestor Ernst, Malwina…I mean, Andrea!
I have a second or third cousin who is 6’8″, and I think that he’s tall. So, yes the 6’11” Frederick must have been exceptional during the regency period.
I suspect we’ve all fallen down rabbit holes! My husband (whose father was born in Italy) found a town in Italy with his surname. My daughter, who has an unusual first name and that same Italian surname, learned that there is another young woman who shares her first and last names.
How neat that this entire post came about due to curiosity about your ancestor Ernst, Malwina…I mean, Andrea!
I have a second or third cousin who is 6’8″, and I think that he’s tall. So, yes the 6’11” Frederick must have been exceptional during the regency period.
I suspect we’ve all fallen down rabbit holes! My husband (whose father was born in Italy) found a town in Italy with his surname. My daughter, who has an unusual first name and that same Italian surname, learned that there is another young woman who shares her first and last names.
How neat that this entire post came about due to curiosity about your ancestor Ernst, Malwina…I mean, Andrea!
I have a second or third cousin who is 6’8″, and I think that he’s tall. So, yes the 6’11” Frederick must have been exceptional during the regency period.
I suspect we’ve all fallen down rabbit holes! My husband (whose father was born in Italy) found a town in Italy with his surname. My daughter, who has an unusual first name and that same Italian surname, learned that there is another young woman who shares her first and last names.
I do genealogy — along with the researches authors do, genealogy is the origninal home of rabbit holers!
Many of us have a rule of thumb: If you have given yourself a time period for a specific family search and you come across an interesting fact the rule is that you save a note as to the access to that fact, but you “MUST” continue your research. However, your next session is allowed to be play time. You start with your note and explore all the rabbit holes you wish! Here the reverse is true; make notes of specific information appropriate to you family; place them in you genealogy to do list, and go on playing in your rabbit hole.
This is a great rule for the amateur genealogist; but I doubt if it would work for anyone who is at the computer for professional reasons.
I do genealogy — along with the researches authors do, genealogy is the origninal home of rabbit holers!
Many of us have a rule of thumb: If you have given yourself a time period for a specific family search and you come across an interesting fact the rule is that you save a note as to the access to that fact, but you “MUST” continue your research. However, your next session is allowed to be play time. You start with your note and explore all the rabbit holes you wish! Here the reverse is true; make notes of specific information appropriate to you family; place them in you genealogy to do list, and go on playing in your rabbit hole.
This is a great rule for the amateur genealogist; but I doubt if it would work for anyone who is at the computer for professional reasons.
I do genealogy — along with the researches authors do, genealogy is the origninal home of rabbit holers!
Many of us have a rule of thumb: If you have given yourself a time period for a specific family search and you come across an interesting fact the rule is that you save a note as to the access to that fact, but you “MUST” continue your research. However, your next session is allowed to be play time. You start with your note and explore all the rabbit holes you wish! Here the reverse is true; make notes of specific information appropriate to you family; place them in you genealogy to do list, and go on playing in your rabbit hole.
This is a great rule for the amateur genealogist; but I doubt if it would work for anyone who is at the computer for professional reasons.
I do genealogy — along with the researches authors do, genealogy is the origninal home of rabbit holers!
Many of us have a rule of thumb: If you have given yourself a time period for a specific family search and you come across an interesting fact the rule is that you save a note as to the access to that fact, but you “MUST” continue your research. However, your next session is allowed to be play time. You start with your note and explore all the rabbit holes you wish! Here the reverse is true; make notes of specific information appropriate to you family; place them in you genealogy to do list, and go on playing in your rabbit hole.
This is a great rule for the amateur genealogist; but I doubt if it would work for anyone who is at the computer for professional reasons.
I do genealogy — along with the researches authors do, genealogy is the origninal home of rabbit holers!
Many of us have a rule of thumb: If you have given yourself a time period for a specific family search and you come across an interesting fact the rule is that you save a note as to the access to that fact, but you “MUST” continue your research. However, your next session is allowed to be play time. You start with your note and explore all the rabbit holes you wish! Here the reverse is true; make notes of specific information appropriate to you family; place them in you genealogy to do list, and go on playing in your rabbit hole.
This is a great rule for the amateur genealogist; but I doubt if it would work for anyone who is at the computer for professional reasons.
Kareni, I made myself chuckle after I realized where Ernst had led me. It was actually quite fascinating, though absolutely unintended! And the discovery of Frederick will definitely lead to some plot twist in the new book. So all very useful.
Ha, ha, on Malwina. My mother wouldn’t have been so cruel!
How fun for your husband and daughter to explore the connection to Italy. Wow, that’s quite something to find another person shares an unusual name combination. A little spooky, actually!
Kareni, I made myself chuckle after I realized where Ernst had led me. It was actually quite fascinating, though absolutely unintended! And the discovery of Frederick will definitely lead to some plot twist in the new book. So all very useful.
Ha, ha, on Malwina. My mother wouldn’t have been so cruel!
How fun for your husband and daughter to explore the connection to Italy. Wow, that’s quite something to find another person shares an unusual name combination. A little spooky, actually!
Kareni, I made myself chuckle after I realized where Ernst had led me. It was actually quite fascinating, though absolutely unintended! And the discovery of Frederick will definitely lead to some plot twist in the new book. So all very useful.
Ha, ha, on Malwina. My mother wouldn’t have been so cruel!
How fun for your husband and daughter to explore the connection to Italy. Wow, that’s quite something to find another person shares an unusual name combination. A little spooky, actually!
Kareni, I made myself chuckle after I realized where Ernst had led me. It was actually quite fascinating, though absolutely unintended! And the discovery of Frederick will definitely lead to some plot twist in the new book. So all very useful.
Ha, ha, on Malwina. My mother wouldn’t have been so cruel!
How fun for your husband and daughter to explore the connection to Italy. Wow, that’s quite something to find another person shares an unusual name combination. A little spooky, actually!
Kareni, I made myself chuckle after I realized where Ernst had led me. It was actually quite fascinating, though absolutely unintended! And the discovery of Frederick will definitely lead to some plot twist in the new book. So all very useful.
Ha, ha, on Malwina. My mother wouldn’t have been so cruel!
How fun for your husband and daughter to explore the connection to Italy. Wow, that’s quite something to find another person shares an unusual name combination. A little spooky, actually!
Sue, I can well imagine that genealogy is rife with rabbit holes! Your rule of thumb is very wise. I try to be fairly strict when I’m researching something specific, and like you, I sometimes make notes on where to go back pursue another tangent that has caught my eye.
But sometimes I just can’t resist!
Sue, I can well imagine that genealogy is rife with rabbit holes! Your rule of thumb is very wise. I try to be fairly strict when I’m researching something specific, and like you, I sometimes make notes on where to go back pursue another tangent that has caught my eye.
But sometimes I just can’t resist!
Sue, I can well imagine that genealogy is rife with rabbit holes! Your rule of thumb is very wise. I try to be fairly strict when I’m researching something specific, and like you, I sometimes make notes on where to go back pursue another tangent that has caught my eye.
But sometimes I just can’t resist!
Sue, I can well imagine that genealogy is rife with rabbit holes! Your rule of thumb is very wise. I try to be fairly strict when I’m researching something specific, and like you, I sometimes make notes on where to go back pursue another tangent that has caught my eye.
But sometimes I just can’t resist!
Sue, I can well imagine that genealogy is rife with rabbit holes! Your rule of thumb is very wise. I try to be fairly strict when I’m researching something specific, and like you, I sometimes make notes on where to go back pursue another tangent that has caught my eye.
But sometimes I just can’t resist!
A Family Tree truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
A Family Tree truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
A Family Tree truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
A Family Tree truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
A Family Tree truly is the gift that keeps on giving!
Andrea- Great post! I think your “rabbit hole” might be another term for serendipity. I’m a former librarian and serendipitous research has always been a passion. When I was working on my first book, about a blind painter, I created a method for someone to paint even though sightless. One of my research sources wanted me to write up my methods for a magazine. And I fixed a plot problem in my second book when I walked by a drugstore window and saw a display of crutches- and realized that my heroine would have to rent a pair in order to “walk in the hero’s shoes.” It was a eureka moment; it solved the plot problem and I was able to satisfy both my characters, and my editor. So huzzah for creative rabbit holes of all kinds.
Andrea- Great post! I think your “rabbit hole” might be another term for serendipity. I’m a former librarian and serendipitous research has always been a passion. When I was working on my first book, about a blind painter, I created a method for someone to paint even though sightless. One of my research sources wanted me to write up my methods for a magazine. And I fixed a plot problem in my second book when I walked by a drugstore window and saw a display of crutches- and realized that my heroine would have to rent a pair in order to “walk in the hero’s shoes.” It was a eureka moment; it solved the plot problem and I was able to satisfy both my characters, and my editor. So huzzah for creative rabbit holes of all kinds.
Andrea- Great post! I think your “rabbit hole” might be another term for serendipity. I’m a former librarian and serendipitous research has always been a passion. When I was working on my first book, about a blind painter, I created a method for someone to paint even though sightless. One of my research sources wanted me to write up my methods for a magazine. And I fixed a plot problem in my second book when I walked by a drugstore window and saw a display of crutches- and realized that my heroine would have to rent a pair in order to “walk in the hero’s shoes.” It was a eureka moment; it solved the plot problem and I was able to satisfy both my characters, and my editor. So huzzah for creative rabbit holes of all kinds.
Andrea- Great post! I think your “rabbit hole” might be another term for serendipity. I’m a former librarian and serendipitous research has always been a passion. When I was working on my first book, about a blind painter, I created a method for someone to paint even though sightless. One of my research sources wanted me to write up my methods for a magazine. And I fixed a plot problem in my second book when I walked by a drugstore window and saw a display of crutches- and realized that my heroine would have to rent a pair in order to “walk in the hero’s shoes.” It was a eureka moment; it solved the plot problem and I was able to satisfy both my characters, and my editor. So huzzah for creative rabbit holes of all kinds.
Andrea- Great post! I think your “rabbit hole” might be another term for serendipity. I’m a former librarian and serendipitous research has always been a passion. When I was working on my first book, about a blind painter, I created a method for someone to paint even though sightless. One of my research sources wanted me to write up my methods for a magazine. And I fixed a plot problem in my second book when I walked by a drugstore window and saw a display of crutches- and realized that my heroine would have to rent a pair in order to “walk in the hero’s shoes.” It was a eureka moment; it solved the plot problem and I was able to satisfy both my characters, and my editor. So huzzah for creative rabbit holes of all kinds.
I am already imagining A.J. Quill’s cartoons of Frederick!
I am already imagining A.J. Quill’s cartoons of Frederick!
I am already imagining A.J. Quill’s cartoons of Frederick!
I am already imagining A.J. Quill’s cartoons of Frederick!
I am already imagining A.J. Quill’s cartoons of Frederick!
That is absolutely fascinating stuff, Andrea! Not surprised you fell down that rabbit hole. And you are so lucky with your ancestors – I look forward to reading all about Ernst! I haven’t found a single ancestor who would fit into any of my books but I live in hope 🙂
That is absolutely fascinating stuff, Andrea! Not surprised you fell down that rabbit hole. And you are so lucky with your ancestors – I look forward to reading all about Ernst! I haven’t found a single ancestor who would fit into any of my books but I live in hope 🙂
That is absolutely fascinating stuff, Andrea! Not surprised you fell down that rabbit hole. And you are so lucky with your ancestors – I look forward to reading all about Ernst! I haven’t found a single ancestor who would fit into any of my books but I live in hope 🙂
That is absolutely fascinating stuff, Andrea! Not surprised you fell down that rabbit hole. And you are so lucky with your ancestors – I look forward to reading all about Ernst! I haven’t found a single ancestor who would fit into any of my books but I live in hope 🙂
That is absolutely fascinating stuff, Andrea! Not surprised you fell down that rabbit hole. And you are so lucky with your ancestors – I look forward to reading all about Ernst! I haven’t found a single ancestor who would fit into any of my books but I live in hope 🙂
It truly is, John. So fascinating, and as you can see, it can also lead you to amazing ancillary connections to history.
It truly is, John. So fascinating, and as you can see, it can also lead you to amazing ancillary connections to history.
It truly is, John. So fascinating, and as you can see, it can also lead you to amazing ancillary connections to history.
It truly is, John. So fascinating, and as you can see, it can also lead you to amazing ancillary connections to history.
It truly is, John. So fascinating, and as you can see, it can also lead you to amazing ancillary connections to history.
Binnie, I absolutely agree with you that rabbit holes have a big element of serendipity. I love your ah-ha moment. I’ve had them too, where a I see something in passing that may appear unrelated to a plot point in my book, but it suddenly sparks an idea of how to fix it, It;s funny—and magical—how the brain works!
Binnie, I absolutely agree with you that rabbit holes have a big element of serendipity. I love your ah-ha moment. I’ve had them too, where a I see something in passing that may appear unrelated to a plot point in my book, but it suddenly sparks an idea of how to fix it, It;s funny—and magical—how the brain works!
Binnie, I absolutely agree with you that rabbit holes have a big element of serendipity. I love your ah-ha moment. I’ve had them too, where a I see something in passing that may appear unrelated to a plot point in my book, but it suddenly sparks an idea of how to fix it, It;s funny—and magical—how the brain works!
Binnie, I absolutely agree with you that rabbit holes have a big element of serendipity. I love your ah-ha moment. I’ve had them too, where a I see something in passing that may appear unrelated to a plot point in my book, but it suddenly sparks an idea of how to fix it, It;s funny—and magical—how the brain works!
Binnie, I absolutely agree with you that rabbit holes have a big element of serendipity. I love your ah-ha moment. I’ve had them too, where a I see something in passing that may appear unrelated to a plot point in my book, but it suddenly sparks an idea of how to fix it, It;s funny—and magical—how the brain works!
Ha, ha! You read my mind!
Ha, ha! You read my mind!
Ha, ha! You read my mind!
Ha, ha! You read my mind!
Ha, ha! You read my mind!
Ha, I think all of us authors fall down the rabbit hole more than we care to admit! Sometimes it’s just procrastination, and sometimes it leads to amazing discoveries—Like Ernst!
I’m sure you have a wonderful, hunky 19th century Swedish ancestor hiding in the leaves of your family tree who will prove the descendant of some Viking warrior prince!
Ha, I think all of us authors fall down the rabbit hole more than we care to admit! Sometimes it’s just procrastination, and sometimes it leads to amazing discoveries—Like Ernst!
I’m sure you have a wonderful, hunky 19th century Swedish ancestor hiding in the leaves of your family tree who will prove the descendant of some Viking warrior prince!
Ha, I think all of us authors fall down the rabbit hole more than we care to admit! Sometimes it’s just procrastination, and sometimes it leads to amazing discoveries—Like Ernst!
I’m sure you have a wonderful, hunky 19th century Swedish ancestor hiding in the leaves of your family tree who will prove the descendant of some Viking warrior prince!
Ha, I think all of us authors fall down the rabbit hole more than we care to admit! Sometimes it’s just procrastination, and sometimes it leads to amazing discoveries—Like Ernst!
I’m sure you have a wonderful, hunky 19th century Swedish ancestor hiding in the leaves of your family tree who will prove the descendant of some Viking warrior prince!
Ha, I think all of us authors fall down the rabbit hole more than we care to admit! Sometimes it’s just procrastination, and sometimes it leads to amazing discoveries—Like Ernst!
I’m sure you have a wonderful, hunky 19th century Swedish ancestor hiding in the leaves of your family tree who will prove the descendant of some Viking warrior prince!
On my father’s side, I have records that go back to the time my ancestors were fighting in the Revolution. In fact, that seemed to be a theme in my family. The country has a war and someone has to go.
On my mother’s side the records are not so complete. Someone in my family had pictures of me as a baby with my grandfather, great- grandfather and great-great-grandfather. I do not remember them. But, I do remember my great-grandfather on my father’s side. He had come to the States from Wales. He had 9 children. And when I was small, he would use his cane to pull me near and tell me he had a surprise for me in his pocket…it was always a lovely mint. He smelled like pipe tobacco and mints. He was lovely.
On the other hand, my great-grandmother (not the wife of the one I loved) was mean, pinched me and generally did not like children. She only had one son, my grandfather. Fate is a strange thing. She ended up having to live with my grandfather and his family. They had 9 children (it ran in our family)and for a time I was the 10th child. I think she was very unhappy, and pinching was her way to show it.
Rabbit holes are my thing. I think I must be part hare. It is difficult for me not to want to search for the next thing. Just this morning, I had to find out what happened to several of the cast members of the film The Public Enemy. I know about James Cagney, Joan Blondell and Jean Harlow. But there were others.
Thanks so much for this post. You have given me several new things to research. Really 6’11’? Can’t wait to find out more about him.
Hope everyone is well and happy and safe.
On my father’s side, I have records that go back to the time my ancestors were fighting in the Revolution. In fact, that seemed to be a theme in my family. The country has a war and someone has to go.
On my mother’s side the records are not so complete. Someone in my family had pictures of me as a baby with my grandfather, great- grandfather and great-great-grandfather. I do not remember them. But, I do remember my great-grandfather on my father’s side. He had come to the States from Wales. He had 9 children. And when I was small, he would use his cane to pull me near and tell me he had a surprise for me in his pocket…it was always a lovely mint. He smelled like pipe tobacco and mints. He was lovely.
On the other hand, my great-grandmother (not the wife of the one I loved) was mean, pinched me and generally did not like children. She only had one son, my grandfather. Fate is a strange thing. She ended up having to live with my grandfather and his family. They had 9 children (it ran in our family)and for a time I was the 10th child. I think she was very unhappy, and pinching was her way to show it.
Rabbit holes are my thing. I think I must be part hare. It is difficult for me not to want to search for the next thing. Just this morning, I had to find out what happened to several of the cast members of the film The Public Enemy. I know about James Cagney, Joan Blondell and Jean Harlow. But there were others.
Thanks so much for this post. You have given me several new things to research. Really 6’11’? Can’t wait to find out more about him.
Hope everyone is well and happy and safe.
On my father’s side, I have records that go back to the time my ancestors were fighting in the Revolution. In fact, that seemed to be a theme in my family. The country has a war and someone has to go.
On my mother’s side the records are not so complete. Someone in my family had pictures of me as a baby with my grandfather, great- grandfather and great-great-grandfather. I do not remember them. But, I do remember my great-grandfather on my father’s side. He had come to the States from Wales. He had 9 children. And when I was small, he would use his cane to pull me near and tell me he had a surprise for me in his pocket…it was always a lovely mint. He smelled like pipe tobacco and mints. He was lovely.
On the other hand, my great-grandmother (not the wife of the one I loved) was mean, pinched me and generally did not like children. She only had one son, my grandfather. Fate is a strange thing. She ended up having to live with my grandfather and his family. They had 9 children (it ran in our family)and for a time I was the 10th child. I think she was very unhappy, and pinching was her way to show it.
Rabbit holes are my thing. I think I must be part hare. It is difficult for me not to want to search for the next thing. Just this morning, I had to find out what happened to several of the cast members of the film The Public Enemy. I know about James Cagney, Joan Blondell and Jean Harlow. But there were others.
Thanks so much for this post. You have given me several new things to research. Really 6’11’? Can’t wait to find out more about him.
Hope everyone is well and happy and safe.
On my father’s side, I have records that go back to the time my ancestors were fighting in the Revolution. In fact, that seemed to be a theme in my family. The country has a war and someone has to go.
On my mother’s side the records are not so complete. Someone in my family had pictures of me as a baby with my grandfather, great- grandfather and great-great-grandfather. I do not remember them. But, I do remember my great-grandfather on my father’s side. He had come to the States from Wales. He had 9 children. And when I was small, he would use his cane to pull me near and tell me he had a surprise for me in his pocket…it was always a lovely mint. He smelled like pipe tobacco and mints. He was lovely.
On the other hand, my great-grandmother (not the wife of the one I loved) was mean, pinched me and generally did not like children. She only had one son, my grandfather. Fate is a strange thing. She ended up having to live with my grandfather and his family. They had 9 children (it ran in our family)and for a time I was the 10th child. I think she was very unhappy, and pinching was her way to show it.
Rabbit holes are my thing. I think I must be part hare. It is difficult for me not to want to search for the next thing. Just this morning, I had to find out what happened to several of the cast members of the film The Public Enemy. I know about James Cagney, Joan Blondell and Jean Harlow. But there were others.
Thanks so much for this post. You have given me several new things to research. Really 6’11’? Can’t wait to find out more about him.
Hope everyone is well and happy and safe.
On my father’s side, I have records that go back to the time my ancestors were fighting in the Revolution. In fact, that seemed to be a theme in my family. The country has a war and someone has to go.
On my mother’s side the records are not so complete. Someone in my family had pictures of me as a baby with my grandfather, great- grandfather and great-great-grandfather. I do not remember them. But, I do remember my great-grandfather on my father’s side. He had come to the States from Wales. He had 9 children. And when I was small, he would use his cane to pull me near and tell me he had a surprise for me in his pocket…it was always a lovely mint. He smelled like pipe tobacco and mints. He was lovely.
On the other hand, my great-grandmother (not the wife of the one I loved) was mean, pinched me and generally did not like children. She only had one son, my grandfather. Fate is a strange thing. She ended up having to live with my grandfather and his family. They had 9 children (it ran in our family)and for a time I was the 10th child. I think she was very unhappy, and pinching was her way to show it.
Rabbit holes are my thing. I think I must be part hare. It is difficult for me not to want to search for the next thing. Just this morning, I had to find out what happened to several of the cast members of the film The Public Enemy. I know about James Cagney, Joan Blondell and Jean Harlow. But there were others.
Thanks so much for this post. You have given me several new things to research. Really 6’11’? Can’t wait to find out more about him.
Hope everyone is well and happy and safe.
Wow, what a fascinating family history, Annette. I love your description of your great grandfather pulling you with his cane and giving you a mint. Such a sweet memory.
Fate is indeed a strange thing. I feel a bit sorry for your great grandmother who did not like children. It must have been a difficult life for her
Ha! on the part-hare. That’s a wonderful way of putting it. One really does discover the most interesting things when one dives down the rabbit hole. Keep exploring.
And yes, Frederick was said to be 6’11. People must have been intimidated by the sight of him. In that era, he would been a true giant among men.
Wow, what a fascinating family history, Annette. I love your description of your great grandfather pulling you with his cane and giving you a mint. Such a sweet memory.
Fate is indeed a strange thing. I feel a bit sorry for your great grandmother who did not like children. It must have been a difficult life for her
Ha! on the part-hare. That’s a wonderful way of putting it. One really does discover the most interesting things when one dives down the rabbit hole. Keep exploring.
And yes, Frederick was said to be 6’11. People must have been intimidated by the sight of him. In that era, he would been a true giant among men.
Wow, what a fascinating family history, Annette. I love your description of your great grandfather pulling you with his cane and giving you a mint. Such a sweet memory.
Fate is indeed a strange thing. I feel a bit sorry for your great grandmother who did not like children. It must have been a difficult life for her
Ha! on the part-hare. That’s a wonderful way of putting it. One really does discover the most interesting things when one dives down the rabbit hole. Keep exploring.
And yes, Frederick was said to be 6’11. People must have been intimidated by the sight of him. In that era, he would been a true giant among men.
Wow, what a fascinating family history, Annette. I love your description of your great grandfather pulling you with his cane and giving you a mint. Such a sweet memory.
Fate is indeed a strange thing. I feel a bit sorry for your great grandmother who did not like children. It must have been a difficult life for her
Ha! on the part-hare. That’s a wonderful way of putting it. One really does discover the most interesting things when one dives down the rabbit hole. Keep exploring.
And yes, Frederick was said to be 6’11. People must have been intimidated by the sight of him. In that era, he would been a true giant among men.
Wow, what a fascinating family history, Annette. I love your description of your great grandfather pulling you with his cane and giving you a mint. Such a sweet memory.
Fate is indeed a strange thing. I feel a bit sorry for your great grandmother who did not like children. It must have been a difficult life for her
Ha! on the part-hare. That’s a wonderful way of putting it. One really does discover the most interesting things when one dives down the rabbit hole. Keep exploring.
And yes, Frederick was said to be 6’11. People must have been intimidated by the sight of him. In that era, he would been a true giant among men.
A wonderful post Andrea! I love genealogy but don’t really know how to go about it. I know the history of my Mother’s family because she could go back in her memory quite far and we talked about it often. She died three years ago and there are times still when I think of things I’d like to ask her.
We had some, shall I say interesting, people in our family 🙂
Nothing as blue blood as you though Andrea. Look forward to seeing how Frederick will fit in with the Weasels 🙂
A wonderful post Andrea! I love genealogy but don’t really know how to go about it. I know the history of my Mother’s family because she could go back in her memory quite far and we talked about it often. She died three years ago and there are times still when I think of things I’d like to ask her.
We had some, shall I say interesting, people in our family 🙂
Nothing as blue blood as you though Andrea. Look forward to seeing how Frederick will fit in with the Weasels 🙂
A wonderful post Andrea! I love genealogy but don’t really know how to go about it. I know the history of my Mother’s family because she could go back in her memory quite far and we talked about it often. She died three years ago and there are times still when I think of things I’d like to ask her.
We had some, shall I say interesting, people in our family 🙂
Nothing as blue blood as you though Andrea. Look forward to seeing how Frederick will fit in with the Weasels 🙂
A wonderful post Andrea! I love genealogy but don’t really know how to go about it. I know the history of my Mother’s family because she could go back in her memory quite far and we talked about it often. She died three years ago and there are times still when I think of things I’d like to ask her.
We had some, shall I say interesting, people in our family 🙂
Nothing as blue blood as you though Andrea. Look forward to seeing how Frederick will fit in with the Weasels 🙂
A wonderful post Andrea! I love genealogy but don’t really know how to go about it. I know the history of my Mother’s family because she could go back in her memory quite far and we talked about it often. She died three years ago and there are times still when I think of things I’d like to ask her.
We had some, shall I say interesting, people in our family 🙂
Nothing as blue blood as you though Andrea. Look forward to seeing how Frederick will fit in with the Weasels 🙂
Teresa, how wonderful that you had the chance to get such a wonderful oral history from your Mother about her family. My Mother had some great stories about some of her father’s maiden aunts . . .I wish I had written them down. And like you, I have other questions I wish I had thought to ask her. I don’t have the genealogy bug like some people, but I do wish I knew a little more about my father;s family.
Teresa, how wonderful that you had the chance to get such a wonderful oral history from your Mother about her family. My Mother had some great stories about some of her father’s maiden aunts . . .I wish I had written them down. And like you, I have other questions I wish I had thought to ask her. I don’t have the genealogy bug like some people, but I do wish I knew a little more about my father;s family.
Teresa, how wonderful that you had the chance to get such a wonderful oral history from your Mother about her family. My Mother had some great stories about some of her father’s maiden aunts . . .I wish I had written them down. And like you, I have other questions I wish I had thought to ask her. I don’t have the genealogy bug like some people, but I do wish I knew a little more about my father;s family.
Teresa, how wonderful that you had the chance to get such a wonderful oral history from your Mother about her family. My Mother had some great stories about some of her father’s maiden aunts . . .I wish I had written them down. And like you, I have other questions I wish I had thought to ask her. I don’t have the genealogy bug like some people, but I do wish I knew a little more about my father;s family.
Teresa, how wonderful that you had the chance to get such a wonderful oral history from your Mother about her family. My Mother had some great stories about some of her father’s maiden aunts . . .I wish I had written them down. And like you, I have other questions I wish I had thought to ask her. I don’t have the genealogy bug like some people, but I do wish I knew a little more about my father;s family.
and p.s.—ye, the Weasels may find a 6′!!” king interesting . . .
and p.s.—ye, the Weasels may find a 6′!!” king interesting . . .
and p.s.—ye, the Weasels may find a 6′!!” king interesting . . .
and p.s.—ye, the Weasels may find a 6′!!” king interesting . . .
and p.s.—ye, the Weasels may find a 6′!!” king interesting . . .
I am very familiar with the Research Rabbit Hole – visit there often – fascinating place. I also go down the YouTube Rabbit Hole which can result in a side trip to the Research Rabbit Hole, and then back to the YouTube Rabbit Hole, and so on.
Thanks for the sneak peek of the next Wrexford & Sloane mystery – I love them all.
Sheila
I am very familiar with the Research Rabbit Hole – visit there often – fascinating place. I also go down the YouTube Rabbit Hole which can result in a side trip to the Research Rabbit Hole, and then back to the YouTube Rabbit Hole, and so on.
Thanks for the sneak peek of the next Wrexford & Sloane mystery – I love them all.
Sheila
I am very familiar with the Research Rabbit Hole – visit there often – fascinating place. I also go down the YouTube Rabbit Hole which can result in a side trip to the Research Rabbit Hole, and then back to the YouTube Rabbit Hole, and so on.
Thanks for the sneak peek of the next Wrexford & Sloane mystery – I love them all.
Sheila
I am very familiar with the Research Rabbit Hole – visit there often – fascinating place. I also go down the YouTube Rabbit Hole which can result in a side trip to the Research Rabbit Hole, and then back to the YouTube Rabbit Hole, and so on.
Thanks for the sneak peek of the next Wrexford & Sloane mystery – I love them all.
Sheila
I am very familiar with the Research Rabbit Hole – visit there often – fascinating place. I also go down the YouTube Rabbit Hole which can result in a side trip to the Research Rabbit Hole, and then back to the YouTube Rabbit Hole, and so on.
Thanks for the sneak peek of the next Wrexford & Sloane mystery – I love them all.
Sheila
Yes, it really is a fascinating place, Sheila. But now you have given me the heebie-jeebies by mentioning the YouTube Rabbit Hole. I don’t dare even go peek there! I’d never get ANY writing done!
(And thanks so much for the nice words about the series.)
Yes, it really is a fascinating place, Sheila. But now you have given me the heebie-jeebies by mentioning the YouTube Rabbit Hole. I don’t dare even go peek there! I’d never get ANY writing done!
(And thanks so much for the nice words about the series.)
Yes, it really is a fascinating place, Sheila. But now you have given me the heebie-jeebies by mentioning the YouTube Rabbit Hole. I don’t dare even go peek there! I’d never get ANY writing done!
(And thanks so much for the nice words about the series.)
Yes, it really is a fascinating place, Sheila. But now you have given me the heebie-jeebies by mentioning the YouTube Rabbit Hole. I don’t dare even go peek there! I’d never get ANY writing done!
(And thanks so much for the nice words about the series.)
Yes, it really is a fascinating place, Sheila. But now you have given me the heebie-jeebies by mentioning the YouTube Rabbit Hole. I don’t dare even go peek there! I’d never get ANY writing done!
(And thanks so much for the nice words about the series.)