Welcome

I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey to completing my first novel. To those of you who don't know me or my work and are visiting this page for the first time, welcome.

Over the next few weeks, I hope to share with you a little of my progress as I begin research on my new book -- a yet-to-be titled historical novel, set in the 1920s and involving the founding and establishment of The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the predominently African-American labor union, led by A. Philip Randolph. Sleeping car porters worked on the railroads, cleaning and preparing sleeping cars and acting as valets and waiters for passengers. The union struggled for more than a decade before they received recognition and equity from the Pullman Company.

As part of my research, I'll be traveling by train from Oakland to New York City, following the path of those porters from years ago. This trip will include a visit to the A. Philip Randolph Museum in Chicago. Along the way, I'll be sharing with you what I learn and experience. Thank you for coming along.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

New York State of Mind


My first day in New York it rained -- a steady drizzle that lasted all day. Just as well...I had finally gotten my copy of that last of Harry Potter and intended to read it all day (and night). Nothing is better than reading a book on a rainy day. Besides I like the sound of cars driving through standing water and the soft humid air.
I am happy that there are still books for young people to get lost in, just as I did when I was young and my mother took my sister and me to the library. I remember losing all track of time in the school library when I was in fifth grade. We had moved across the country and my only friends were books then. Besides I needed a break from my own mind, my thoughts, my stories, decisions, potential decisions, everything unfiltered, unfocused, undecided. My story is still taking shape. I can leave it behind for a little while.
For the remainder of the week, I'd spend time at the Schomberg, marking time on the subway and walking the streets of Harlem. Still deciding on the setting of the novel -- Chicago or New York. I still had time to decide.

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© 2008 L. Rebecca Harris