“Sure, ‘historical’ is a great idea, but why fiction?” you ask. For me, it has to be because of the ghosts. You see, I want to tell history from then, but it’s now. How to do that? And while you ponder the riddle of time and space, consider the focus of my next book of historical fiction, the haunted Hotel Belmar in Mazatlan Mexico.
This will be my fourth book. And, I am excited about writing it. Why? Because I am learning like crazy about this place.
When I look back in time, especially after I have finished something, I see why events have happened. So, as I piece together the history of the Belmar in Mazatlan, I can see it alive and young through the eyes of those who experienced it that way, and realize that it is not too late because I have met the people to help me tell the story. A coincidence? And we bought a house on Angel Flores in the historical zone of Old Mazatlan. The above picture is of our street, several years after the Belmar was up and running as the first Mexican luxury Hotel on the water. It was taken in 1923 by American Edward Weston who, along with Tina Modotti, his model and a famous photographer herself, made the Belmar their home in Mazatlan.
Weston wrote: “We found life both gay and sad, but always life — vital, intense, black and white but never gray.” Weston made a historic photo in Mazatlán, a classic called ” The great white cloud in Mazatlán”, labeling it one of his finest and most significant photographs, as it meant an artistic departure from figurative into abstract art, or negatives with intention as opposed to matter-of-fact records. I think about the ghosts in my writing just that way.
I am scribbling every day, reading dozens of books, and searching/translating the Internet for bits and pieces of facts and fancy, What fun. And along the way, I have learned some Spanish. Oh, I do love treasure hunting. Don’t you? Well stay tuned and I will share some gems with you to reflect on.
It will take me a year to complete this book. In the meantime, order the historical novel by S.K. Carnes, The Way Back, A Soldiers Journey. Enjoy a sample reading below!
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