The Year 2008

I am one of those people that like to journal highlights throughout the year (and sometimes lowlights, although that's not nearly as much fun!) and later look back and reflect. Sometimes I am surprised...maybe I've forgotten a really cool thing that happened and it feels good to think about it again, other times I feel a bit sad knowing certain things haven't changed or improved, but most times I am overwhelmed with a sense of God's goodness, recognizing His Hand in specific circumstances that have no other explanation.

Back in January I had just started "Seeds of Salton"...I think I had the first 4 chapters written. As 2008 winds to a close I can say I am nearly finished with the entire book, all 27 chapters.

Here's the new tag line that sums up the story:
A powerful true story of a heart redeemed, a love restored, and the gripping journey to forgiveness between a son and his father.

Two writers retreats at Julie Saffrin's cabin gave me a great boost, followed up with the residency at the Devils Tower. It was incredible to have that much time to write on the heels of seeing Wibaux, Montana and Beach, North Dakota, where much of the book takes place. All in all, it helped me achieve what I set out to do after reading "Secret Life of Bees" back in January, that I needed to go deeper with this book because of the powerful message within.

One of the most critical scenes takes place in a logging camp in the Rocky Mountains through a flashback. I couldn't find anyone who could tell me details I needed in order to write the scene. I contacted a reporter, a resort owner, and a rancher in the Missoula/Potomoc area and couldn't come up with anything useful. I thought, well, at least I tried. A couple nights later the phone rang and it was the rancher's son. Turns out he was the best friend of the man in "Seeds" back in third grade and remembered the event specifically. He lives near the logging camp and knew all the details I was looking for, actually gave me more details and information than I'd even hoped for. Amazing.

Midway through the book I was trying to write a scene about the oil rigs in North Dakota. Me, being technically challenged, could not grasp the workings of an oil rig no matter how many times it was explained or how much I read. My brain can't think in terms of diesel engines, the Kelly, tripping pipe, tripping in, tripping out, a round-trip, the mouse hole, the rat hole, and have it all make sense. One day while flipping channels I saw an advertisement for a brand new show called "Black Gold"...all about oil rigs. There it was, in living color, in HD no less. I recorded the show and watched parts of it over & over until I finally gained a (partial!) grasp of how it all worked. Those are just a couple of the cool things that helped propel this book forward throughout the year.

Next up I will begin a search for an agent or publisher for "Seeds of Salton" and I'm excited to see where my search might lead. I also have a brand new project for 2009...another powerful true story of redemption. The working title is "The Redemption of 3743", a story of one man breaking free from the clutches of addiction and reclaiming his Karuk (northern California Native American tribe) heritage, another amazing life journey with a powerful message.

As 2008 winds to a close I can look back and feel good about all that has transpired, both personally in our home and family, and professionally in my writing. I look ahead to 2009 with the hope that always comes new a new year.

Happy New Year!
Barbara

Devils Tower National Monument Writer's Residency

Where do I even start? This was one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. I think it really hit me the second to last day. I'd taken a walk on the Joyner Ridge Trail, a beautiful hiking trail not far from the Tower. I walked about halfway and ended up sitting with my back against a Ponderosa Pine, the warm October sun in my face, big blue sky overhead, the Tower off to my left, pen and journal in hand...no sound except a gentle breeze whispering through the pines, just one example of the many ways God chose to bless my time there.

The trip started with three days of research in the Wibaux, Montana/Beach, North Dakota area, the main setting for my current project, Seeds of Salton. This book needs to have a gritty, western, rugged feel to it and seeing the iron hard land of that region in person really helped me work some of that into the manuscript, giving it much more authenticity.

From there I drove down through North and South Dakota, right at the tail end of an early snowstorm! Thankfully the roads were dry, and I found the snow covered buttes and breaks absolutely stunning the entire drive! When I turned west from Belle Fourche into Wyoming it was dusk, the clouds had started to dissipate, a little sun breaking through. I came around a curve and there it was...the tower, protruding above the hillside, the gray clouds hovering, giving the aura of something special.

And special it is. It lies at the edge of the beautiful Black Hills, near the winding Belle Fourche River, the red capped buttes here and there, the Ponderosa Pines. Beautiful. I feel drawn to this area, like I belong. In reality though, I was there to write. And write I did...morning 'til night, with only one stop for a walk each day. By the end of the week I was amazed how much I'd actually accomplished! As I packed to leave, I didn't feel sad the residency was ending. Instead, I felt blessed that my journey of writing Seeds of Salton continues forward.

I want to thank the Bearlodge Writers Group in Sundance, Wyoming who co-sponsor the residency. What a delightful group of dedicated writers and warm, friendly people! I also want to thank the staff at the Devils Tower National Monument for opening the park to writers in this fashion. This was such an absolute treasure of time!

Blessings,
Barbara

BRULE' Live at Mount Rushmore: Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures

GOOD NEWS...Twin Cities PBS, tpt 17, has scheduled the BRULE' LIVE AT MOUNT RUSHMORE: CONCERT FOR RECONCILIATION OF THE CULTURES to air on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

As many of you know in July 2007 Paul LaRoche, aka Brule', and his Native American band AIRO performed the concert of his dreams at Mount Rushmore's majestic amphitheatre with over 11,000 in attendance. The concert has since been edited into a one-hour HD program designed specifically to air on PBS. South Dakota PBS has already aired the program and received wonderful reviews.

It's our hope now that it spreads all across the country...in September 2008 a digital feed containing the actual program was sent to all 220 stations across the country, along with a beautiful 3-page color attachment. The concert meets two important criteria for PBS schedulers on both cultural and educational levels. At the end of the program, 3 products are offered for viewers: "Live at Mount Rushmore: Concert for Reconciliation of the Cultures", the CD, the DVD, and the book, "Hidden Heritage...the Story of Paul LaRoche" by Barbara Marshak, Beaver's Pond Press, Minneapolis, MN.

If you are outside the Twin Cities area and would like to see the concert, feel free to contact your local PBS affiliate and ask them to air this program. On behalf of Paul, the Brule'/AIRO gang, and John and myself, we thank you in advance for your help!
Blessings,
Barbara

Iris Ink Creations now on Esty.com!

Earlier this summer I signed up to have a vendor booth at the Eagan Arts Festival. In preparation I made up over 150 of my photo greeting cards to have on my tables, along side my books. Most of the cards I make are made with photos taken while doing research for "Hidden Heritage" and the proceeds go back to the Lower Brule Boys & Girls Club.

I also made up two sets with photos taken on our mission trips to Iguala, Mexico, and the proceeds from those cards go to support Latin America Missions, Paul & Theresa Stilwell, Iguala, Mexico. One set is from the Mississippi Headwaters in northern MN; proceeds go to the White Earth Boys & Girls Club.

Long story short...............I only sold one card at the festival and ended up with a crate full of cards in my closet! A friend suggested I post them for sale at www.etsy.com a website that features all homemade items for sale.

Mission accomplished this weekend! I created an account, IrisInkCreations and posted all 7 sets. Check it out if you or someone you know is looking for a gift idea!

Blessings,
Barbara

Beautiful Black Hills, Summer 2008

I was fortunate to spend an amazing two weeks tucked in a quiet little campground along a lazy creek near Hill City, South Dakota, called Crooked Creek Campground. Honestly, I can't think of a better place to be in mid-summer. We had a wonderful vacation with a real mix of events: family, friends, Harley rides, cookouts, campfires, and more.

The real treasure in this type of a vacation though, comes in the setting. An amazing bold, full moon the weekend we arrived, lighting up the nights in a soft glow. Sitting around the campfire with our kids and good friends. The fresh pine scents and simple beauty of the hills. Harley rides through beautiful canyons, creeks and trickling waterfalls nearby. Pink patches of sweet clover poking their heads above the prairie grasses. Majestic giant thunderheads that filled the otherwise blue sky. Cathedrals of granite spires aimed heavenward. All of it brings a deep appreciation for a land once called Paha Sapa, to the Lakota people.

I came home with my spirit refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to dive in head first once again to my writing projects.
Blessings abound,
Barbara

Eagan Art Festival

I'm excited to be part of the 14th Annual Eagan Art Festival on Saturday & Sunday, June 21 & 22, 2008 on the Eagan Community Center Festival Grounds. This is a large 2-day outdoor festival with crowds estimated at 5,000-7,000 people, featuring both fine and original handmade art, tasteful music and entertainment, art activities, and food--all in one easy-to-find location near Yankee Doodle & Pilot Knob, just north of I-35E.

If there are any Brule'/AIRO fans in attendance, I should have everything they could possibly want: copies of Hidden Heritage...the Story of Paul LaRoche, Brule'/AIRO CDs, the 2007 Holiday Concert Tour on DVD, plus the corresponding photo greeting cards with pictures from the Lower Brule Sioux Reservation & "Paha Sapa", the beautiful Black Hills, in South Dakota.

I will also bring copies of my compilation books, such as Cup of Comfort for Single Mothers, Cup of Comfort for Mothers & Sons, The Groovy Chicks' Roadtrip to Love, God's Way - Christmas, and Finding & Following God's Will.

Hubby John will be my assistant for the event. If you have time, please stop by & see us!
Barbara

Devils Tower National Monument National Writer's Residency

I have a "joy" to share...and do so as an encouragement to all of you writers out there. I just found out I am one of two writers selected for the writer's residency program at the Devils Tower National Monument in 2008, based on a sample from my current novel Seeds of Salton. I will get to spend one full week at the monument in Wyoming in October "to pursue my writing under the shadow of the tower."

Here's the cool part: back in November I was on my way to work one morning thinking how cool it would be to go to Montana this fall to research the area where my character "Grady" grew up. Then it hit me...what if I got the Devils Tower residency, I could spend 2-3 days in Montana and then go right to the Tower from there and have a full week to write about the images and ideas from Montana, newly inspired. At that instant, the traffic light ahead turned red and I pulled up to a pickup in front of me and you guessed it...it had MONTANA license plates. To me, it was a sign...a metal one at that! But isn't that how God works...He's with us all the time in our mundane, daily routines.

Anyway, I am thrilled beyond words to think that I will be able to do exactly that...spend a few days in Montana and then have a full week to simply write! Now here's my note of encouragement...last year I had applied for the residency and when I told a lady who lives close to the Tower I didn't get it, she looked right at me and said very firmly, "Well, try again!"...like don't give up so easily. Duh! It was a good lesson for me.

As you can imagine, I can hardly wait to go! My goal is to stay on task all summer and complete my first draft of Seeds of Salton. Happy writing to all!
Barbara