…well, at least through my research. I’d love to say I’m off to traverse the world in 80 days, but I’ll be doing all of my traveling through books.
Speaking of Around the World in 80 Days, did you know the famous Nellie Bly was the first to beat that fictional record when she went around the world in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes? She started that journey in New Jersey on November 14th of 1889 and returned on January 25th of 1890, having traveled almost totally unescorted by steamboat and railroad (and burro!). It was a record that wouldn’t last 
long, but the world followed her through cables she sent back to the popular newspaper she worked for, The New York World. Her publisher even held a contest for readers to guess how long it would take for her to reach the next destination. The winner received a free trip to Europe, and spending money as well.
long, but the world followed her through cables she sent back to the popular newspaper she worked for, The New York World. Her publisher even held a contest for readers to guess how long it would take for her to reach the next destination. The winner received a free trip to Europe, and spending money as well.An interesting side note is that Cosmopolitan heard about what Bly was doing and quickly sponsored another woman to beat the Jules Verne record. But while it took her 76 ½ days, beating the fictional record, she still came in behind Bly. Cosmo was fledgling in that day, just three years old, but it’s still circulating today, unlike The New York World which stopped publication in 1931. There is some mystery as to whether or not Bisland, the Cosmo gal, was intentionally misled into believing she’d missed passage on one of the faster steamers out of London, when her publisher had paid the steamship to wait for her. She ended up taking a slower boat back to New York, while Bly, coming from the opposite direction, was delayed two days due to a rough Pacific crossing. She, too, had some help from the owner of her newspaper, only this help wasn’t missed. He chartered a special train from San Francisco to New Jersey which, unlike Jules Verne’s character, didn’t run into delays along its way by stampeding bison, dangerous bridges or wild Indians. She came straight through to fame, eventually heralded in NYC.
I don’t know how anyone could not love history with stories like that! And none of that is even going to make it into my next book. It’s just an interesting sideline for me to visit as I start drawing the world my characters will inhabit.
Who knows where my whirlwind tour will take me? Although the character I have in mind won’t be a reporter, she will be a traveler of Bly’s fortitude. Will she go through India and have her hands tattooed with henna? Will she see some of the things Bly saw, like the leper colony in China and perhaps purchase a monkey somewhere along the way? Or will her journeys resemble Phileas Fogg’s from the Verne tale? Through India on a railroad . . . and an elephant? Will there be rescues and adventure? Traveling the world must include some of that! I have only to dive into some history and travel books to find out which unique adventures my character will experience.
And this is only the background!
No wonder I love writing. What other occupation can take me so many places without leaving the comfort of home? You’ll have to excuse me, I have some adventures to dream about now . . .
Research is one of my very.favorite. past times…especially for a story that heavily relies on history for the plot! Can't wait to see where your character goes in your next book!
I think it would be lovely to read the story of a young lady who leaves Europe for the colonies. The fortitude and cunning it must have taken those that landed in this country in its early years! Have fun exploring where your next journey will lead you!
Thanks so much for visiting, Meghan and Tina. I love to hear from those of us who totally "get" how exciting it is to envision other eras – all inhabited by people just like us! It's true that it's every bit as fun to explore the journeys my characters will go as it is to read about it when the story finally comes together. I'll keep you posted on how this one takes shape. 🙂