Pssst…wanna take a peek into how I wrote my first novel?
In case you didn’t hear me when I screamed, my first novel is being published by Regal House Publishing! (So glad my friend Fran was behind me in line at the post office so I could share my news immediately. That’s just one of the joys of a small town–you know someone practically everywhere you go.)
But, I digress…My book, Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace, is scheduled for release Summer 2023.
It’s set in my hometown of Paducah, Ky., in the early 1950s. The main character is Minerva Place, a funny, quirky widow who may or may not be losing her mind.
If you don’t live in Paducah you won’t recognize her name, but if you do, you know the very street this character is named for.
A Love Letter
My first novel is a sort of love letter to my hometown, Paducah aka Atomic City, River City, Quilt City USA, and UNESCO Creative City. I think we’ve got a lot to be proud of around here. Read about a fun Paducah “tour” some friends and I recently enjoyed here.
Paducah has a vibrant riverfront. The city’s located in far western Kentucky, and founding settlers were attracted to the area because it’s at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio rivers.
This is the Carson Center, a state-of-the-art performing arts theater. Paducah is known as one of the best live entertainment destinations in Kentucky. We have excellent community theater, too.
Paducah is home to the National Quilt Museum, a fabulous display of contemporary quilts. Thousands from around the world attend the annual AQS Quilt Show here.
Here's how the whole (book) thing started...
A few years ago, the city’s director of the parks department approached me to write a play about some of the people who are buried in our town’s oldest cemetery, Oak Grove Cemetery. Well, let me tell you, I jumped on that opportunity.
I headed to one of my favorite places in Paducah – McCracken County Library, where I researched all sorts of folks who had once walked the streets of Paducah.
The City used the pieces I wrote to bring life to these historic figures. As visitors toured Oak Grove, they met actors dressed in clothing from their time period. The scripts I wrote revealed a lot of history, but also gave (imagined) personality to each character.
Over the course of several years, I wrote about over thirty people. I had such a rich collection, and I wanted to do something special with it.
These are scenes in the historic Oak Grove Cemetery, where my main character spends a lot of time. You can see there really is a Mercy Avenue. Of course, “mercy” appears in the title and is a key theme. Some of the characters in the book are based on people buried here.
My original plan
I love the book Spoon River Anthology and fiddled around with developing something similar. But I couldn’t get it to gel. I needed a “tour guide.”
Enter Mrs. Minerva Place.
She was a fictional character I could use to tell the stories of the cemetery “residents.” But very soon, Mrs. Place took over.
She’s kind of bossy.
As I wrote about Minerva, I realized it was her story I needed to tell. The other characters became the supporting cast. They highlighted Minerva’s fears, dreams, regrets, hopes, and quirkiness.
So, that’s your first peek into how I wrote my first novel. I can’t wait to tell you more about Mrs. Place and the people buried at Oak Grove. I just know you’ll fall in love with all of them like I did!
Do you know about the history of your hometown? What are some of your favorite historical tidbits about where you live? Be sure to leave a comment!
Jamie
2023 seems like an awful long time from now. Any hopes of special readers getting a sneak peak? I am so proud of you!
Tracey Buchanan
Hang around and I’ll be posting some insider goodies!
Maury Dodson
Tracey, I am so proud of you and your work, it is not easy to get published and you are to be congratulated on this almost feat.
Tracey Buchanan
Thank you!!
Brenda Thompson
MINERVA PLACE sounds like a Pageturners’ read to me😊 Looking forward to it and meeting the grand author🥰
Tracey Buchanan
The “grand” author is going to throw a big Pageturners party when Minerva finally shows herself to the world!
Marsha A Sanders
So excited about your book! Can’t wait till it’s hot off the press and into our hands to read. Tracey, you have tremendous talent!
Tracey Buchanan
Thanks so much, Marsha!
Paulette Petty
I, too, can’t wait to read your first book staring Mrs. Minerva Place! What fun!
Tracey Buchanan
Thanks for wading through a very not-ready first draft, Paulette! I appreciate your support!
Brenda McElroy
So happy that this fabulous book is going to published! Can’t wait to order extra copies to give to my girls!
Brenda McElroy
So happy that this fabulous book is going to published! Any wait to order extra copies to give to my girls!
Tracey Buchanan
Thank you, dear friend! You’re an encouragement to me!!
Jim
FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!
Tracey Buchanan
Thanks for the photos, Jim! You’re so talented! Glad you’re my brother!! ❤️
Julie Kleet
Not to rush time (since I’m way over 50), but I can’t wait to hold your novel in my hands. Minerva Place was my first Paducah home.
Tracey Buchanan
How fun that you lived on Minerva! I think you’re going to love my Minerva.
Thanks for your support, Julie!
Gene Low
Can’t wait to read this first of many more novels to come I’m sure. You are one of the most talented people I’ve known and you come from a loving Christian family . Best of luck with the book I know it will give us hours of reading entertainment.
Tracey Buchanan
Thank you, Gene! I appreciate your prayers and support so much!
Anita Pinkston
I am so excited about your new endeavor! Since I am not a Paducah native I look forward to learning more about the place I have called home for 44 years! I have loved and appreciated you and your insights at FBC for all these years and feel blessed to have you as a friend and sister in Christ! Wishing you success and can’t wait to read your book! Love you, Tracey!
Tracey Buchanan
Thank you so much, Anita! I’m blessed to have you in my life, sweet friend!