3 Threats - 6 POV characters - Christopher is our third…

“3 Threats to the Homeplace” preview 6 POV characters  Christopher is our third…

Christopher Ogden would probably now be considered the central figure in “The Homeplace Saga” stories of the 1990s…. when you read the stories. To learn a little more about him, if you are new to the series, or as a reminder if you are a regular, following is a piece I recently published specifically regarding his role in the upcoming “3 Threats” novel:

http://homeplaceseries.hubpages.com/hub/3_Threats_Character_Development_CD3_Meet_Christopher_Ogden

In the summer of 1996 we introduced you to the mare Christopher purchased, Shadow, and his new dog, Chase, pictured (above) on the front of “The Homeplace Revisited.” In that novel, of course, he met and proposed to his future wife. This novel has been referred to as a “double romance” novel, as well as moving forward with the rest of the family storylines.

As with the other major characters in “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction stories, you can use the developmental wiki as a reminder. Here are links to Christopher, and the other characters:

http://homeplace.wikispaces.com/home

http://homeplace.wikispaces.com/Christopher

There are currently 8, about to be 9, references under Labels (right sidebar, scroll down):

http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/search/label/Christopher

…where you get more information about Christopher. The first one has a story about his marriage to Nicole… at the Methodist Church.

Character number 4 will be introduced next Friday, in this space.

******

“May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds.”  Dr. Bill ;-)

3 Threats - 6 POV characters - Bart Bevins next…

“3 Threats to the Homeplace” preview 

6 POV characters  

Bart Bevins next…

Bart Bevins was the third of the Bevins siblings and has appeared in each novel in "The Homeplace Saga"as well as the novella, “Murder by the Homeplace.” I have written about him a number of times, of course, in this space. However, most recently, I published the following, specifically regarding his role in the upcoming “3 Threats” novel:

http://homeplaceseries.hubpages.com/hub/3-Threats-Character-Development-CD2-Meet-Bart-Bevins

It has been said (see below), that Bart Bevins reminds them of Missouri native, actor John Goodman.

John Goodman on the red carpet at the Emmys in 1994 - Wikimedia Commons

Of course, he has his own Character File in the Developmental Wiki: “The Homeplace Saga: Beyond the Books,” for those of you new to my writings, or who may have forgotten:

http://homeplace.wikispaces.com/Character+Files

http://homeplace.wikispaces.com/Bart

Bart, and his wife, Diane, will continue to play key roles in “The Homeplace Saga” stories, as we move forward, into 1999 and beyond, of course.

If you scroll down to Bart in the Labels, right sidebar, you find ten entries where he is mentioned, in the context of the stories.  Specifically, I wrote “Meet Bart Bevins” that includes some of the other references.

Here is an interview with Bart by local reporter, Penny Nixon:

http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/2012/07/penny-nixons-my-hometown-bart-bevins.html

Here is the Profile I wrote of Bart as one of the major characters in “Back to the Homeplace.”

http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesday-profiles-bart-bevins.html

Over the coming weeks, I do want you to get to know these characters, so that when “3 Threats” does come out, you’ll want to learn even more about them.

******

“May each of us have a Homeplace to hold onto, if only in our minds.”  Dr. Bill ;-)

3 Threats - 6 POV characters - Lori Winslow first…

"3 Threats to the Homeplace" preview

6 POV characters

Lori Winslow first…

Over the next six Fridays, I will share with you some background (and questions to be answered) on the 6 characters that will “tell the story” in my next novel in “The Homeplace Saga” series of family saga, historical fiction stories: “3 Threats to the Homeplace,” set in early 1999.

Earlier, stories on each of the 6 “point of view” (POV) characters were shared on my HubPages (short story) writing platform, in more detail. I encourage you to read this, if you have not already. Or, you may want to re-read it, again, to be current in the stories. Here is the link: http://homeplaceseries.hubpages.com/hub/3-Threats-Character-Development-CD1-Meet-Lori-Winslow

Storm clouds on the horizon

http://www.freeimages.com/photo/1435014

Source: Freeimages.com user smithwil

You may recall that Lori Winslow is the oldest daughter of Karen and Jason Winslow. Jason died in 1993. Karen was one of the four Bevins siblings who came “Back to the Homeplace” in response to their mother’s unusual will, in that first novel in this series.

In “Christmas at the Homeplace,” Lori moved back to the Oak Springs valley from Los Angeles to help her mother, Karen, run the Homeplace Country Inn on part of the original family farm land, two miles east of town. It looked across the farm toward the Mill on Oak Creek. 

Lori has been looking into developing some of the land, in between, into a residential “Homeplace Estates,” to continue the family legacy in a new direction for the next generation. There are now several couples of that generation who would like to build their “forever” homes on this land, as well. Lori wants to facilitate their vision. Will the older family members support that vision?

Here is a reminder of the “Back of the Book” tentative description of the next novel:

“In February 1999, social and economic times were booming for The Bevins Agricultural Corporation and the McDonald Conservancy with additional farm lands purchased and additional lands donated to the Conservancy. The Conservancy just received an $800,000 State of Missouri Conservation Grant to implement their major operating plan. Then it happened. 

Bad things come in “threes:” 

1. Bevins sister, Beverly, moved back to Oak Springs “permanently.” Remember what happened the last time she did that? 
2. A mature man appears in Oak Springs claiming half of the Bevins-McDonald property at the time Mildred (McDonald) Bevins died in the fall of 1986. He says he is very serious, and his claim will be upheld in court.
3. An F-3 Tornado strikes in the Oak Creek valley, with devastating results.”

“May we each have a Homeplace, if only in our minds.”

Dr. Bill ;-)

Plan to attend Book Signing, 4 weeks from today

Plan to attend Book Signing, 4 weeks from today

Speakers include Janice Martin and Roy Rogers, Jr.; Authors include Dr. William Leverne Smith and Carl Sparks at the Kimberling Area Library, Feb 7, from 9:30 to 2:00 p.m. - See details, including a complete list of speakers (10) and local authors (40), at:

http://www.kalib.org/2015%20Author%20Book%20Signing%20Day.pdf

Dr. Smith will feature his recent Short Story Collection:

Hope to see you there! ;-)

Excerpt from "The Kings of Oak Springs" stories

Excerpt from The Kings of Oak Springs stories

http://www.amazon.com/Kings-Oak-Springs-Arrival-Months-ebook/dp/B00M0117KY/

The following excerpt from the current series of short story posts in “The Kings of Oak Springs” series has received a number of positive comments from readers. I wanted to share it with a broader audience. Liam and David had served together in the Civil War. They were the first two to return, together, to their home valley following the war in 1865… this episode is in early 1877…

See what you think…

An excerpt from Episode 30, of “The Kings of Oak Springs” series of stories at:

http://homeplaceseries.hubpages.com/

[Episode 40 will be published shortly, the last of the 20 episodes in Volume Two (forthcoming) of the ebook, of the same name]

“Karl decided to talk to Owen directly about how Liam was doing by now. He knew that Liam had been personally devastated by the premature death of his very close friend, David Baldridge. He didn't want to pry, but really wanted to understand the situation a little better. Karl wanted to be supportive without interfering. He'd even been reluctant to talk to Owen about any business until he knew the situation better. Karl was pleasantly surprised when Owen seemed ready to talk about it when the subject came up. Owen began, "You do know they were much more to each other than just real close friends?"

Responding carefully, Karl replied, "Yes, it seemed that might be the case."

Owen then proceeded to share with Karl the approach they had taken to help get Liam out of his deep depression. They had encouraged him to take his time, but, when he was ready, to get back to his creative metal work by dedicating what he did to David's memory. It was slow going, but it appeared that Liam was slowly finding his way back. In the past couple of weeks, Owen, added, Liam had even offered to help Owen on a couple of his projects. Karl thanked Owen for sharing this information with him, and wished the whole family well. Soon, he said he needed to let Owen get back to his work, and took his leave.”

May you always have a Homeplace, if only in your heart!

Dr. Bill ;-)