Natchez Trace Parkway
Posted: Tuesday, June 21, 2005
by ngoldman
Norm Goldman
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is delighted to have as our guest, author, writer and freelance researcher, F. Lynne Bachleda.Lynne has authored Blue Mountain: A Spiritual Anthology: Dangerous Wildlife in California & Nevada: Dangerous Wildlife in Southeast: Dangerous Wildlife in Mid-Atlantic, and Canticles of the Earth: Celebrating the Presence of God in Nature. Her most recent book is A Guide to the
Good day Lynne and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.
Norm:
Lynne, when did your passion for travel and writing begin? What kept you going?
Lynne:
I am lucky, Norm, to have Bob Sehlinger, the publisher of Menasha Ridge Press in
Norm:Your most recent book concerns itself with the
Lynne:
The parkway spans 444 miles and runs between
Norm:
Our readers are always on the lookout for new romantic getaways to explore. Would you consider the
Lynne:
For people interested in art and architecture, the spring and fall Pilgrimages there, when the finer homes are open for display, are a unique experience.
Although there are several state and federal parks along or within shouting distance of the parkway,
A beautiful lake and cabins complete the package. Of course,
Norm:
I noticed that you have authored several books on nature and dangerous wildlife. What made you want to write these books, and could you tell our readers something about the series?
Lynne:
Once again, I have to thank Bob Sehlinger at Menasha Ridge. For some time he wanted to do the definitive regional series that explores the facts, fictions, ins and outs of what critters and plants can or can't hurt you. He approached me and we settled on a light-hearted, fact-filled illustrated guide.
The various volumes have been checked by outdoor and medical experts, all of whom have rendered high praise. I can honestly say that the Dangerous Wildlife series (Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California & Nevada are available as of summer 2005) is a truly unique and valuable, potentially life-saving reference that literally everyone should have because it also covers backyard threats, such as mosquitoes and bats, as well as indoor encounters such as brown recluse spiders. Plus, it's a fun, entertaining read!
Norm:
What does travel mean to you?
Lynne:
Travel means the opportunity to enrich my soul, learning the same message over and over again in different settings: on the surface we are richly different from each other. Under the surface, we are richly the same.
Norm:
As a traveler and fact-gatherer, what is your biggest challenge on the road?
Lynne:
Generally I travel alone. Managing the planning, logistics, luggage, navigation, transportation, note-taking, and so forth is generally a very consuming bundle of tasks to perform. However, the sense of autonomy and mission, plus the thrill of seeing something for the first time is a powerful intoxicant. I must add that the more I travel, the more I appreciate the great tourist destinations. They are usually popular for good reason!
Norm:
How do you come up with ideas for what you write? What methods do you use to flesh out your idea to determine if it's salable?
Lynne:
I have been blessed to be approached by publishers for the titles I have created. For every title published, however, I have a folder of rejection letters from great publishers who didn't respond to other proposal ideas. I can't give any real advice except to say that in the end the people who don't give up on writing are the people who are still writing. The field narrows to one's advantage as time goes by.
Norm:
What challenges or obstacles did you encounter while writing your book? How did you overcome these challenges?
Lynne:
There is always the challenge of researching and writing a book under deadline. A Guide to the Natchez Trace Parkway was completed from conception to printer submission in about eight months. The biggest challenge for this particular book was that during the last six of those eight months a very dear friend was slowly losing her life to cancer. Geneva Smith, to whom the volume is dedicated, died at age 51. That made this book extraordinarily tough for many reasons.
Norm:
Do you set yourself daily, weekly, yearly goals? If so, what are some of your goals?
Lynne:
This is a timely question, Norm. Speaking quite candidly, I have had an unusual number of deaths in my life in a short period of time and this has thrown off my sense of a regular rhythm. I suppose my primary goal is to listen everyday to my genuine and interior self in some fashion through yoga, walking, kayaking, prayer, meditation, or perhaps talking with an exceptionally close friend.
Norm:
Can you tell us how you found representation for your books? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?
Lynne:
Again, the primary publishing force in my life to date has been Bob Sehlinger. I am especially grateful to him for inviting me to craft my first book, Blue Mountain: A Spiritual Anthology Celebrating the Earth.
A multi-cultural collection spanning five continents, 3,000 years, and a dozen wisdom traditions arranged around the theme of the hero's journey, amazon.com designated Blue Mountain one of the Top Ten Spiritual and Inspirational Books of 2000.
A unique work of my heart, and chiefly the brilliance of many writers whose work has obviously stood the test of time, I am perhaps most proud of
Norm:
What is next for F. Lynne Bachleda?
Lynne:
I am pushing into unknown territory for me with From the Ground Up: Notes from Nature to Spirit. It consists of short essays about the places I have lived or visited, exploring the theme of long-view change on any given plot of ground. The model of the earth, who has weathered so much change, is a spiritual beacon to us for the changes we can and must ourselves undergo and, hopefully, bear successfully.
Thanks once again Lynne for agreeing to participate in our interview.
Thank you, Norm. The chance to think on paper is always good for my soul.
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