Friday, February 28, 2014

Barbara Waite: Using One's Past to Enrich The Present

Everyone's Story is blessed to introduce author and missionary Barbara Waite. I love meeting people who glow with enthusiasm and warmth and that's exactly what Barbara does, especially when sharing her love of family. Barbara is fortunate to know about a very special family member: her grandmother, Elsie. She shares with us this week about Elsie's spunk back in early 20th century Arizona, as well as how she latched onto her grandmother's story and penned it into a fascinating book for all to read and glimpse a lifestyle that is part of American history. Barbara is also offering her book, VERY LOVINGLY YOURS, ELSIE in a Giveaway. She's looking forward to hearing from you!




Book Giveaway:
Barbara is offering one copy of her book VERY LOVINGLY YOURS, ELSIE to one randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, March 7th, between 5-6 PM EST. For convenience, please leave your contact information within your comment. Thanks!



The Gift My Grandmother Gave Me by Barbara Waite

I first picked up Elsie’s well-worn black leather diary in 1987, not realizing it would reveal a young Elsie that I had never imagined. The diary told of her first love, of heartache and sorrow, and of fascinating adventure from 1913-1916. Never had I pictured my grandmother as being freehearted, young and in love. Among her many published short stories and articles I also discovered an unfinished, handwritten manuscript that did not appear to be the work of someone who was almost 97 years old. It was author and educator Elsie Reed Hayes Roberts’ final project, unfortunately never completed. Never before had she written anything that stirred me like this unfinished story of love and adventure in the early state of Arizona. Obviously, these three years in her early twenties had been an unforgettable time for her. 
Her diary could not give me all the answers to the questions it created, but hidden in library archives were surprising discoveries. Piece by piece, through letters, newspaper articles, and her diary, her story deepened. Elsie frequently described her Arizona years as “glorious.” 
She was college educated and loved literature and culture. In Arizona she taught barefoot, burro-riding children, and she referred to some of them as being “common and needing baths.” As she learned to love this wild countryside and the children, her attitude changed dramatically. She discovered an admiration for the character of these back-woods farmers, ranchers and their children. Elsie fell in love with Arizona. And a couple of young men fell in love with Elsie. My research uncovered a tender, yet tragic, love story. In 1988 I located and interviewed 8 of her former students that were then elderly treasures. Elsie had taught them for 9 months in a one-room school in Arizona 75 years before. Yet they had vivid memories that were a match to the ones Elsie had written about in her letters and diary.
My biggest surprise was when I approached a National Monument bookstore in Arizona about selling Elsie. The gentleman questioned if the book was fiction. I answered that it was taken directly from her letters and diary and that I had added historical information and explanations. His response was, “Your book is interpretive History!” Taken by surprise I said, “Yes, it is.” Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot National Monuments have sold over 500 copies. I never dreamed “Interpretive History” had so much potential. What an adventure writing this book has been. My favorite of the 265 Amazon reviews came from a woman of 103 that read Elsie on a Kindle and “Skyped” her review!

I chose to independently publish the book. I hesitate to use the term “self-publish” since I hired editors, designers, and proofreaders. I wanted to have the publication coincide with Arizona’s Centennial for February, 2012. It came out on Amazon in November of 2011. I was nervous that I might not recover the $3,000.00 investment we had made in the creation of the book. I was thrilled that was recovered in less than a year. I have been able to place the book in 24 retail outlets in Arizona. I have even had the opportunity to do a book signing at a Costco in Arizona. Print sales are now over 2,000 and E-book sales over 5,000. I think one of the advantages to independently publishing is the freedom to take advantage of using free Kindle days on Amazon. I actually used free days 8 times. Amazon’s KDP program was also a good return financially for me.

I would not have been able to write “Elsie” without the letters she had saved. Her letters from her mother were a connection that I treasure. I never knew my great-grandmother, May Carrie Hayes. Through her letters I have had a glimpse into her relationship with Elsie and a picture of her character.

Bible study to multi-cultural group of ladies in
Antigua, West Indies. Barbara is third from
right.
Elsie’s letters were her only way to communicate with her family in California. I can imagine the anticipation for her family as they waited for those precious letters from their daughter in a new state that was still thought of as the “Wild West.” I wonder what we will leave behind as a record of the significant events of our lives. I encourage friends to leave behind a permanent record of what their lives were like for their grandchildren to someday treasure. Thanks Elsie and May Carrie Hayes for saving those letters from 100 years ago. They are a priceless inheritance. I am blessed.
Elsie’s Mountain Years - Coming Soon
I have had numerous requests for a sequel that would tell of Elsie’s years after she married.  I am working on that project. For years Elsie lived on a mountain and she and her husband operated an apple ranch and opened a rustic resort there.  I find it interesting how self-sufficient they were. They lived off the land for the most part. Elsie had a recipe for squirrel and quail pie that I find humorous; her note at the bottom reminds “be sure the squirrel is not too old.” My mother spent the first 5 years of her life living on the apple ranch. I have vintage photos of my mom riding in an apple crate cart.  The words on the side of the crate say, “Keep in a cool dry place.” That would be a difficult task to accomplish with a baby. The old, gnarled apple trees that Elsie’s father planted in 1904 still produce fabulous apples. There is something rewarding in writing about things that have not changed and revealing those that have changed entirely. History, when viewed through the eyes of someone who lived it, can be rich and enlightening.
Barbara's Ah-hahs To Tweet:


Author Barbara Waite shares how she made her family history come to literary life on Everyone’s Story. (Tweet This)

Everyone has a story: Barbara Waite, author & missionary, encourages sharing family history. (Tweet This)

Like combo of history & family? Barbara Waite shares memoir. #BookGiveaway (Tweet This)
Author's Bio:
Barbara Anne Waite is a California gal that moved to the small Caribbean island of Antigua 40 years ago where she and her husband served as missionaries for 38 years. In 1967 Barbara graduated from nursing school, married Curt and the adventures began. Always an avid reader Barbara has published her first book and is working on her second. She home schooled all 4 children and is thrilled that two have been involved in international education. Her oldest son has a doctorate in education and her daughter teaches in Malaysia. Barbara & Curt are blessed with 5 grandchildren. Barbara inherited  Elsie’s love of story telling and her favorite thing to do is teach ladies truths from God’s word.  The Waites recently retired in California. She enjoys speaking at book clubs, community groups and bookstores. On GoodReads – Listopia “Elsie- Arizona Teacher 1913-1916” is #1 in The Old West In First Person and is #3 in the The American Frontier list.
Places to connect with Barbara:

55 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing your grandmother's story and your journey to publishing it. It looks great.
    susanmsj at msn dot com

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    1. Susan, thanks for your vista this evening. I'm glad you enjoyed Barbara's story. Do check back for Barbara's reply.

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    2. Thanks Susan. This last week I went to visit a N.C. gal who read "Elsie" and wrote to tell me how similar Elsie's life in 1913 was to her life in 1970 on a farm in N.C. Read about this visit and see photos on "Tidbits" at www.BarbaraAnneWaite.com

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    3. Barbara, that is so fascinating! I'll have to check that out.

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  2. Would love to read this book - sounds like a fasinating read. Thanks for offering the give-away.

    Ann Ellison
    abilene_nana@yahoo.com

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    1. Ann, I'm so happy to see you again. Thanks for putting up with the new Comment Moderation system I have deployed on the blog to discourage spammers.

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    2. No problem at all - I always look forward to your blog. You have introduced me to some wonderful authors and their books.

      Ann

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    3. Aw, thanks Ann. And without fail, you always make me smile!

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    4. It is an honor to know Barbara Anne Waite and to have ministered along with her and Curt in Antigua for 14 years! I love the book ELSIE and look forward to your next book, Barb! So thankful for the way God has blessed you and your family.

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    5. Rita, thanks for your visit with us this evening on Everyone's Story. So exciting that you worked by Barbara's side. Bless you both, and Barbara's husband for spreading God's Word.

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    6. Thanks Ann. You might enjoy reading some of the historical "tidbits" I have continued to add to my website. You can visit the website by clicking on the link where it says "Connect with Barbara."

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    7. So memorable to be with you recently Rita. Thanks for your support in so many ways over so many years.

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    8. Ann, I'm happy that you won the drawing! You won't be sorry for the time you spend with ELSIE! I'm looking forward to the introduction to some wonderful books and authors like you have had on this site! I was only introduced to this site a few days ago because of ELSIE, its author, Barbara, and the offer that Elaine put forth. What a great way to bring readers together with books, authors, and others interested in those particular kinds of books! :-) Candy Adams Terry

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    9. Candy, thanks for visiting once again and for your sweet message. I will contact both Ann & Barbara to alert them to your message. I look forward to seeing you through the months. Blessings.

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    10. Thanks Candy. I love it when readers enjoy meeting Elsie and reading about her experiences on Oak Creek. Candy glad you are sticking with Elaine and her great blog-spot. Ann the book went out Sat. so trust you will maybe even have it by mid-week. Happy Reading!

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  3. Thanks Susan. This last week I went to visit a N.C. gal who read "Elsie" and wrote to tell me how similar Elsie's life in 1913 was to her life in 1970 on a farm in N.C. Read about this visit and see photos on "Tidbits" at www.BarbaraAnneWaite.com

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  4. Wow- what an awesome story! Thanks so much for sharing Barbara. I love the way you were able to connect with your grandmother and great-grandmother on such a fascinating level. It's so fascinating to learn about our family in a new way and really get to know them when they were young. Your books will be a treasure to pass on to your children and grandchildren.

    God bless,
    Jennifer Bretsch
    jennybug52@hotmail.com

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    1. Jennifer, thanks for visiting Everyone's Story and sharing an encouraging word with Barbara. She's so fortunate to know her family history.

      Thanks too for your patience with my Comment Moderation. Spammers have left me no choice but to see and choose which comments are allowed to be published on my blog.

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    2. Hi Jennifer. I especially treasure the letters Elsie saved from her mother May Carrie Hayes, since she died about 10 years before I came along. The diary gave me a glimpse of Elsie's years as a young woman that I never had with my own mother. We need to sit at the feet of elderly family and ask them about their younger years.

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  5. Love Barbara's story. Can you imagine how she felt when she found the diaries and started reading! Her grandmother was an amazing woman for her students to remember her so many years later. Would love to win the book!

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    1. Pat, I agree. May my grandmother rest in peace, but whenever I'd ask her about my family's history she would always reply, "what, are you going to write a book?" God bless her. LOL. I did!

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    2. OK now I want to read your book Elaine!

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    3. Well, Barbara, my agent is circulating it to publishers now. Please pray it finds a home. Thanks!

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    4. Exciting. Will pray it finds the right home.

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    5. Will pray it finds the right home. Exciting.

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    6. Thanks so much, Barbara!

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  6. Thanks Patricia. The night I discovered the diary I read until I could hardly see the words. My website has some delightful vintage photos that Elsie took. I am thankful she saved so many little "pieces of the puzzle." My visit with those students went on for few years.

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  7. I'm posting this for Lisa Belcastro:

    Barbara,
    Your book sounds fascinating! I wish had a memoir or journal of my grandmother's early days. Thank you for your work as a missionary. I imagine you have quite a few stories you could write from those years of service.
    Many blessings,
    Lisa

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  8. Barbara, Your post is interesting. I can picture you pouring over the letters. Zoe M. McCarthy zoehgwp@gmail.com

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    1. Zoe, thanks for your visit and welcome to Everyone's Story.

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    2. The gal who did my book design wanted to use a handwritten font for Elsie's letters & diary entries. That came out so nice in the print version. Unable to use that in the Ebook version. Elsie often apologized to her mother that her handwriting in her letters home was less perfect than she liked. Some letters were written in pencil. So reading them at times was a challenge. I do love the print version's hand written font.

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    3. The gal who did my book design wanted to use a handwritten font for Elsie's letters & diary entries. That came out so nice in the print version. Unable to use that in the Ebook version. Elsie often apologized to her mother that her handwriting in her letters home was less perfect than she liked. Some letters were written in pencil. So reading them at times was a challenge. I do love the print version's hand written font.

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  9. Lisa that story of the years as a missionary might come eventually. We have just retired ( I dislike that word) and so supposedly will now have time to devote to writing and such. You might enjoy the additional "tidbits" that have been written since "Elsie" came out. Just click on the link that says WEBSITE given above for those extra stories.

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  10. Thanks Lisa, that story of the years as a missionary might come eventually. We have just retired ( I dislike that word) and so supposedly will now have time to devote to writing and such. You might enjoy the additional "tidbits" that have been written since "Elsie" came out. Just click on the link that says WEBSITE given above for those extra stories.

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  11. Barbara, would love to read all about your grandmother. You are a very inspirational person and was glad I had the opportunity to know you before I moved to Washington State.

    Cheryl Petersen

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  12. Barbara, I would love the opportunity to read about your grandmother. Thank you for sharing her life with others.

    Cheryl Petersen chergusp@gmail.com

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    1. Welcome ,Cheryl, to Everyone's Story. I'm glad you enjoyed learning more about Barbara's family. She's blessed to have such detailed information.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks Cheryl. I hope you enjoyed Elaine's article and perhaps you will be the one to win "Elsie." Blessings!

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  13. Barbara's book is such a fascinating read, and I'm looking forward to the sequel. My grandparents were pioneer missionaries at Ft McDowell northeast of Phoenix prior to grandpa's death in 1918 or 1919 when my dad was only 6, so the area itself is intriguing to me.

    My husband and I were privileged to visit Waites in Antigua, and count them as dear friends.
    (Djsimms717@gmail.com)

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    1. Thanks for visiting. I'm sure you will brighten Barbara's day as much as you have mine.

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    2. Thanks Donna. Arizona is still the Wild West in some ways. The beauty there is rugged and inspiring. We count you as dear friends as well.

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  14. Bobbie RenoMarch 05, 2014

    This appears to be such a fascinating, beautiful book to read. I look forward to getting to know Elsie.

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    1. Bobbie, it's so nice to see you again on Everyone's Story. Yes! I think Elsie's story would be an excellent read for you. If you get a chance, you may want to check out Barbara's fascinating website (see link), full of good stuff.

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    2. Thanks Bobbie! Thanks Elaine- I do think my website has so many fun additional "tidbits" not included in the book. Everyone loved Elsie. Funny though that one reviewer commented that her story was "old fashioned. " I wonder what they expected from 100 year old letters? I have loved connecting with readers who comment on the website.

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    3. Barbara, you gave me a laugh-out-loud moment there. When you think about it, that reviewer gave you a rather appropriate comment, one that Elsie probably would have smiled about. Not at all bad, in my opinion.

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  15. This is a WONDERFUL book! It's a MUST READ for anyone who loves to get an accurate glimpse of what life was like in the past, especially anyone who is interested in the past days in Arizona or the past days of frontier teachers! Seriously! I recommend this book without reservation. It happens that I grew up in that same area in the second generation following Elsie's time there. That only made the book better for me, but even if I had no connection to the area, I would love the book! Candy Adams Terry

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    1. Candy, thanks for visiting Everyone's Story this afternoon.Wow! What wonderful praise for Barbara's book--such a sweet blessing for her, I'm sure.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Thanks Candy. I appreciate your kind remarks about the book. Arizona was and is a fascinating place. Cornville was decidedly the wild West even though California was further West than Arizona. Trust we can connect up one of these trips to A

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    3. I'm very glad to find your website, and I have Barbara to thank for that. I plan to visit your site regularly. Best wishes! Candy

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    4. Candy--wonderful news! Thank you. I'm looking forward to your visits.

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    5. I'll look forward to the connection in Arizona, Barbara, and to more connections with your site, Elaine. :-) Candy

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    6. Heartfelt thanks, Candy!

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  16. What a fun and enjoyable week it has been on Everyone's Story, and I have my lovely guest, Barbara Waite, to thank, as well as all of the many viewers and commenters who have frequented Barbara's segment. Barbara, thanks so much for touching many hearts this past week, helping us all to remember the importance of family and perseverance.

    Thanks too for your exciting Book Giveaway. The winner is…

    Ann! Happy reading, Ann. Both Barbara and I will contact you in direct emails.

    Blessings, everyone.

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  17. Thanks Elaine for this opportunity. I am going to contact Ann and get the book off to her tomorrow. Now to get busy on "Elsie's Mountain Years."

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