Postmarked from the Past: A Message from Catherine

Today, Scott, one of the members of my writing group, the Daily Sprinters, gave us an assignment: Write a postcard to yourself from an ancestor using exactly 100 words. I chose to “receive” my message from Catherine, the protagonist of my forthcoming novel, currently titled Draped in Deceit: The Story of a Gilded Age Grifter.

Restricting oneself to 100 words is an exercise in using words wisely—a tough assignment for someone like me! But it’s worthwhile. You can often say in 100 words what you thought needed 200—if you choose wisely.

I took Scott up on his challenge not just because it was fun, but because it gave me a great excuse to share a little about my new book.

I’ve finished the entire draft (114594 words –yes,  I probably do need to revisit the concept of the “economy of words!”) and it’s now in the hands of my writing coach for a developmental edit.

Now, back to the postcard.
Here’s the 100-word note “written” by Catherine, who died in 1916:

Deborah,

I have learned that you discovered my secret. My daughters performed their duties admirably, but I suppose it was just a matter of time before the Pandora box that was my life opened.

Perhaps the first mistake I made was marrying William in 1860 to cover my unplanned pregnancy. My second was trying to rise above my station.

I spent less than a quarter of my 82 years committing those crimes that will now become my legacy, thanks to you. I ask but one thing – try to understand why.

Your husband’s great-grandmother,
Catherine Kenney (Yes, that’s my real name.)

Yup — divorced at 55, turned con artist, made trouble across the Midwest for two decades, and died a sweet old lady at 82.

Catherine was a force to be reckoned with, and I sure wish I had known her.

I was able to reconstruct Catherine’s escapades from over 300 newspaper articles, thanks to the period’s fearless disregard for libel and its melodramatic flair. Reporters in the 1890s wrote with gleeful exaggeration, a fondness for alliteration, and an expansive vocabulary. Every scheme was “daring,” every woman “notorious,” every scandal “sensational.”

I’ll be sharing more tidbits about Catherine’s story in the coming months. I hope you’ll join me.

Oh! Almost forgot: I’m also putting the finishing touches on my children’s book, Doris’s New Home—a companion to my adult book Nothing Really Bad Will Happen. I’m aiming for a release date of June 22, so I’d better get it together!

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