Before I left for Bolivia and Peru I was approached by new author, Wendy C. Garfinkle, to write a guest post for the blog. She recently finished a science fiction novel called Serpent on a Cross based in Medieval Eastern Europe (see below for description and buying information). To show support for her new endeavor and learn more about how she researched her book through travel to Poland and Russia, I happily accepted her offer!
Keep reading to learn more about Wendy, her time in Poland and Russia and her new book! Lucky her to have to go explore interesting parts of our world as part of her book research. Now excuse me while I go brainstorm novels to write that will require me crossing the Atlantic to research…
Congratulations, Wendy, on your new book!
***
Hi, Jen! Thank you for allowing me to take over your awesome blog for a day! Hello to all of Jen’s followers! *Waves*
I never expected to have the opportunity to travel to Eastern Europe for research on my series. Though I dreamed of visiting Russia especially, as my paternal great-grandparent emigrated from there during the 19th century pogroms, I believed that trip to be years in the future. But when pitching the first book (my Master’s Thesis) in the Serpent on a Cross series to a group of agents and publishers during my Creative Writing MA, one of the questions they posed was whether I had ever been to Poland and/or Russia.
I had, by this time, conducted roughly six month’s research via books, movies and still images on the medieval period in Poland and Kievan Rus (medieval Russia and Ukraine), in addition to medieval medicine, Jewish practices and beliefs. So why did I need to visit Poland and/or Russia? Because it would increase my knowledge of the area and the people about whom I was writing. Even though I couldn’t go back in time to actually experience medieval times in Eastern Europe, apparently it was enough that I visit modern-day Poland and Russia.
So I did. In September 2010, a friend and I trekked for about seven days through Poland, into Ukraine and Russia, mostly via train. We visited museums and medieval fortresses, experiencing the scenery and “feel” of the countries and people about whom I was writing. I could have planned better for a more structured research trip, which might have allowed trips to more medieval sites, but just walking the streets gave me, I think, a better perspective of the countries.
I was able to visit Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory in Krakow, which has been converted into a museum. It was a rather emotional experience. Though I may just be Jewish through my father’s line, I still identify as Jewish, and therefore, feel quite keenly the horrors suffered by my people throughout history. This is part of the reason I chose to have a Jewish heroine. And I wanted to portray someone who refused to be cowed by the prejudices to which her people were subjected at that – or any – time in history. She has a bit of my own personality, I suppose.
Kiev was lovely. The people were quite friendly. Even without knowing much of the language – I studied Russian for several months prior to the trip and so understood some words/phrases, but not much – it was still possible to communicate by using sign language and phrase books. I also asked each person I met whether they spoke English, not because I expected them to, but just so I would know whether we could communicate in broken English & Russian or if I needed to pull out my phrase books.
I loved Russia. Walking the streets of Moscow, even without being able to speak much of the language, I felt almost at home. People there were friendly as well. And I could sit for hours, I think, just watching the people. One young man who my friend and I conversed with on the train spoke very good English. When we asked where he learned to speak such good English, he said, “Armenian TV.” You just never know.
Though I traveled overseas several times in my 20s, I had never before traveled to a country where a Visa was required. Having the train stop in the dead of night on our way from Ukraine into Russia was a bit unnerving. Russian soldiers came aboard to check the passports of all passengers. At that moment, I prayed that my and my travel companion’s Visas passed inspection. I didn’t want to spend even a moment in a Russian prison. I listened intently for words I knew, but they spoke quietly, outside of our compartment. Soon, they returned, asked the standard, “What is your business?” questions, stamped our passports, and the train resumed its journey into Moscow.
It was a rather sobering experience, and makes me determined – as much as I wish to return to Russia someday and spend more time there – to keep well away from Russia’s boarders in the near future.
If I was unnerved traveling to Russia 4 years ago, when there was no unusual unrest, I would definitely think three and four times before traveling there during the CURRENT unrest. If I had no parental responsibilities, it would be a different scenario, potentially putting myself in harm’s way. But as a single parent, I plan to be as safe as possible in my travels.
As it happens, I’ll be visiting Europe again, the end of this month. Not Russia this time, but visiting the edge of Eastern Europe, as well as Central and Western Europe.
Perhaps Dennah’s future adventures will take her further west.
Author Bio:
Wendy C. Garfinkle was born and raised in South Florida. She moved to Northwest Texas in her early 20s, but returned to South Florida eight years later. She holds five degrees, including MA and MFA in Creative Writing from Wilkes University. She’s a poet, reading addict, and collector of interesting clothing tags, which she recycles into bookmarks.
She has served as a copy editor and reader for Hippocampus Magazine, an online nonfiction lit journal, and as a reader for the James Jones First Novel Fellowship. Wendy is a crime analyst for a local law enforcement agency, and lives with her teenage son.
To see what Wendy is currently working on, visit her at wendycgarfinkle.com.
Social Media Links
http://wendycgarfinkle.com https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-C-Garfinkle/667623273323781 https://twitter.com/wendygarfinkle https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6913803.Wendy_C_Garfinkle https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22911766-serpent-on-a-crossPurchase Links
Amazon: http://tiny.cc/17adlx Barnes & Noble: http://tiny.cc/b9adlx iTunes: http://tiny.cc/g5jmlx Back Blurb:
Dennah Dubrovnika is a formidable hunter and talented healer. However, she cannot control her own powers, which have suddenly reawakened in the aftermath of her mother’s violent capture by a powerful warlord who destroyed their village in his wake. As she races to free her mother, Dennah is accompanied by Jeth, the man she loves. But she’s increasingly, inexorably drawn to the mysterious Skallon who is allied with her greatest enemy.
Will Dennah be able to gain a measure of control over her magic or will she lose everything and everyone she loves to its raging inferno?
Serpent on a Cross is Book One in a Jewish fantasy adventure series set in Medieval Eastern Europe.
