Well, to begin with your way of writing makes you interested in continuing reading. You are going to have to do like Sofia Vergara, start traveling to present and promote your book. In Bogota we already have the red carpet ready.
Mi fresa, mi vida. Muchas gracias por los comentarios y por leer estos párrafos. Muy amable. Gracias por el tapete rojo esperándome. Para hacerlo como Sofia Vergara me tendría que hacer algo mas radical, cierto?
What is the girls’ wheel? Is it a bike? A unicycle? Of course I love love love reading your work. The newspaper clipping and the two year old’s image grab me in particular to make your story real, interesting and relatable. Your author’s voice becomes even more fluent and authentic year to year, Andrea. Those courses must be both helpful and inspiring, not to mention the value of your hours in the chair and your weeks on site throughout the world. I cannot wait to read this story.
Thank you, Carol, for your very kind and enthusiastic comments. I really appreciate them and the fact that you read the piece. Gosh.
Yes, a "wheel" was a bicycle. He advised the oldest daughter how to do "monkey tricks" and to be careful not to fall in the sand when least expected. His adoration of his girls contrasts greatly with his temper at work.
I absolutely want to read this story Andrea! And you’ve now answered my main question for Carol, what was a “wheel?” I thought it might have been a unicycle! But that seemed unlikely. In any case, I so look forward to reading this story! The back cover draft is tantalizing - it makes me want to learn more.
Thank you for your kind comments, Martha. Much appreciated. I hope you'll keep your thoughts coming as I write more about the discoveries, excitement, and frustrations of researching and writing this book. I value yours and everyone's input.
I agree with all the other commentators: Your writing is engaging, and the story is already compelling! As a geographer, I would love to see before and after photographs of a part of Chicago that he was responsible for changing. Those photos may not exist, but for me, landscapes always draw me in, and then I want to know the story of the people who changed them (for good or bad!). How exciting this is!
Thank you, Sabrina, for reading this and your kind and thoughtful comments. Regarding the photographs, there are a lot from which to choose of the buildings Victor constructed. It's been exciting to visit these places in Chicago and see parts of the story come to life. Thrilling to see the enormous stone arch entrance to the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Louis Sullivan designed trading floor now housed at the Chicago Institute of Art. Amazing to enter the lobby of the Congress Hotel. I also enjoy seeing how the buildings and spaces have changed and adapted over time, just like landscapes, rivers, and estuaries (to put it through a geographer's and river scientist's lens :)
What’s interesting is that he was a man by of integrity who was not afraid to do the right thing - so often these people are lost to history. I’m interested in how things worked in Chicago during this time. The late 19th century I believe is overshadowed by the beginning of the 20th century and WW1 but it’s an interesting era.
I want to read about your process of writing historic non-fiction to understand what level of research it takes to pull the story together.
Thank you, Virginia, for your thoughtful comments. I've been reminded in this research and writing process of the fact that everything that gets done is the work of a number of people and it's usually the big guys (in this case the famous Chicago architects) who are remembered. But someone actually had to put up all those splendid buildings. Not one went up by itself and given the labor strife in Chicago at that time, completing a building was no easy task.
I'm also lucky for the story that Victor worked in an amazing and unique time in Chicago which adds a lot to the story. It was and is such an interesting city.
The next post will describe one episode of the distance and lengths I've gone to seek information on his life. I hope you'll stay tuned for that.
Thank you again for your thoughts. Much appreciated.
Carey, thanks so much for your comment and the info on the Falkenau Row Houses. Fascinating! For me at least. I'm interested in knowing where you got the info on years 1902 to 1908 because I want to know exactly when the family moved out of the Wabash house to 5740 South Woodlawn. Also, I was under the impression that Victor kept one of the end rowhouses for himself and the family and rented the other two. If you're willing to share your sources on that, I'd appreciate it.
I see you follow Ervin Eliud on FB. I do too and really enjoy his posts. You have some interesting posts on Chicago buildings too. I will follow you. I'm sure I'll learn a lot.
What a story! I can't wait to read it.
You just might have to.
Wow! Such an interesting life. Just being given hints of the book, I want to know more.
Thank you, Amy. That you will.
Well, to begin with your way of writing makes you interested in continuing reading. You are going to have to do like Sofia Vergara, start traveling to present and promote your book. In Bogota we already have the red carpet ready.
Mi fresa, mi vida. Muchas gracias por los comentarios y por leer estos párrafos. Muy amable. Gracias por el tapete rojo esperándome. Para hacerlo como Sofia Vergara me tendría que hacer algo mas radical, cierto?
Siempre cuento con tus comentarios lindos.
What is the girls’ wheel? Is it a bike? A unicycle? Of course I love love love reading your work. The newspaper clipping and the two year old’s image grab me in particular to make your story real, interesting and relatable. Your author’s voice becomes even more fluent and authentic year to year, Andrea. Those courses must be both helpful and inspiring, not to mention the value of your hours in the chair and your weeks on site throughout the world. I cannot wait to read this story.
Thank you, Carol, for your very kind and enthusiastic comments. I really appreciate them and the fact that you read the piece. Gosh.
Yes, a "wheel" was a bicycle. He advised the oldest daughter how to do "monkey tricks" and to be careful not to fall in the sand when least expected. His adoration of his girls contrasts greatly with his temper at work.
Thank you again for your words.
I absolutely want to read this story Andrea! And you’ve now answered my main question for Carol, what was a “wheel?” I thought it might have been a unicycle! But that seemed unlikely. In any case, I so look forward to reading this story! The back cover draft is tantalizing - it makes me want to learn more.
Thank you for your kind comments, Martha. Much appreciated. I hope you'll keep your thoughts coming as I write more about the discoveries, excitement, and frustrations of researching and writing this book. I value yours and everyone's input.
I agree with all the other commentators: Your writing is engaging, and the story is already compelling! As a geographer, I would love to see before and after photographs of a part of Chicago that he was responsible for changing. Those photos may not exist, but for me, landscapes always draw me in, and then I want to know the story of the people who changed them (for good or bad!). How exciting this is!
Thank you, Sabrina, for reading this and your kind and thoughtful comments. Regarding the photographs, there are a lot from which to choose of the buildings Victor constructed. It's been exciting to visit these places in Chicago and see parts of the story come to life. Thrilling to see the enormous stone arch entrance to the Chicago Stock Exchange and the Louis Sullivan designed trading floor now housed at the Chicago Institute of Art. Amazing to enter the lobby of the Congress Hotel. I also enjoy seeing how the buildings and spaces have changed and adapted over time, just like landscapes, rivers, and estuaries (to put it through a geographer's and river scientist's lens :)
Very much looking forward to seeing which ones you are able to include in the book! And thanks for the river scientist and geographers nod! 😉
What’s interesting is that he was a man by of integrity who was not afraid to do the right thing - so often these people are lost to history. I’m interested in how things worked in Chicago during this time. The late 19th century I believe is overshadowed by the beginning of the 20th century and WW1 but it’s an interesting era.
I want to read about your process of writing historic non-fiction to understand what level of research it takes to pull the story together.
Thank you, Virginia, for your thoughtful comments. I've been reminded in this research and writing process of the fact that everything that gets done is the work of a number of people and it's usually the big guys (in this case the famous Chicago architects) who are remembered. But someone actually had to put up all those splendid buildings. Not one went up by itself and given the labor strife in Chicago at that time, completing a building was no easy task.
I'm also lucky for the story that Victor worked in an amazing and unique time in Chicago which adds a lot to the story. It was and is such an interesting city.
The next post will describe one episode of the distance and lengths I've gone to seek information on his life. I hope you'll stay tuned for that.
Thank you again for your thoughts. Much appreciated.
Keep up the good work researching your grandfather…I think you might enjoy my Victor Falkenau Row Houses post on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/1032716929/posts/pfbid02tTQDyRH2V45s437dRLXYN5sop7NGqYnVDHqdMFQkvzixSAVy7RqCnwpyuKZQ8rAgl/
Carey, thanks so much for your comment and the info on the Falkenau Row Houses. Fascinating! For me at least. I'm interested in knowing where you got the info on years 1902 to 1908 because I want to know exactly when the family moved out of the Wabash house to 5740 South Woodlawn. Also, I was under the impression that Victor kept one of the end rowhouses for himself and the family and rented the other two. If you're willing to share your sources on that, I'd appreciate it.
I see you follow Ervin Eliud on FB. I do too and really enjoy his posts. You have some interesting posts on Chicago buildings too. I will follow you. I'm sure I'll learn a lot.
Thanks again for your input and post.