Scotland Adventure - The Elen Chronicles --Of Love and Blood
My Travel Story
Sharon and James plan to travel to Scotland in September 2025 for hands-on research at Culloden Battlefield, various libraries, and museums. They also plan to follow Elen’s path through Scotland to 18th-century Liverpool, where Elen leaves for America.
Sharon and James are researching and writing the 18th-century American portion of the novel, which is slated for publication in 2026. Donors can follow along on social media and via the blog at www.sharon-brubaker.com.
Updates
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Hard Wiring
Many, many thanks for the recent donations. As I write this, there are only 69 days until we leave for Scotland. My suitcase is already half packed.
Elen keeps swimming in my head, eclipsing other creative projects. I do believe in this book – or books, as my son suggests. He thinks the Elen story should be at least two books. He is suggesting a separate book for Elen in Scotland in 1746 and Elen in America in 1777. I have thought of a book with her best friend, Flora, and her journey as an indentured servant. We’ll see.
I bemoan to family and friends that my dream is to be able to write full-time and not have to work another job. In reality, I think most authors work one or more jobs and write whenever they can. The truth is that my life (and I suspect other writers and creatives as well) is “all about the books.” They are all-consuming, and everything I do, despite interruptions from family responsibilities, work responsibilities, and the responsibilities of adulthood, is about living the creative life. The stories are waiting to be told, sometimes more impatiently than others, slipping out at unexpected times. My very patient family and friends listen as I reveal new 18th-century facts, take them to various spots where the book is set, imagine the area in the 18th century, and scour the area for a reasonably priced, authentic 18th-century costume. I have stacks of books for research and are winging their way to me via online book purchases.
Writing is in my hard-wiring. There’s no escape. And, I wouldn’t want it any other way. The Elen story proves it over and over again, as do the other stories crowding my head. I spend moments in wonder as the Elen story unfolds, and I hope abundantly that I put what’s in my head onto paper to be a beloved read. Writing Elen’s story is a unique experience compared to any other book I’ve written. I am in awe of this character and love watching how the book and story grow.
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
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Little By Little, Bit By Bit...
Thank you for the recent donations. We're working hard to make this dream of Scotland and the dream of a book come to fruition.
Two helpful books in my research for Elen are:
"The Domestic Life of Scotland in the 18th Century" by Marorie Plant and "Agnes Finnie, the Witch of Potterrow Port" by Mary W. Craig. Enlightening books of the 17th and 18th centuries in Scotland. Marjorie Plant’s book resides in the Public Domain, but is one of the few works available on this topic. Mary Craig’s book is an outstanding tale of the witch, Agnes Finnie. Craig spins the tale about the unusual trial of Agnes Finnie and the 18th-century lifestyle. It’s fascinating and an excellent read.
During times of strife, feelings run high, especially towards those who differ from the norm. Elen is a healer, not a witch, but rumors begin and tensions run high. The danger is high for any woman who is different. More to come in The Elen Chronicles, of Love and Blood.
More Travel Information
Adventure Registry
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Samsonite Luggage
450 -
Airline Miles
5,000 -
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Donate
$ 2,290 USD
Total Donation Received-
39%
Funded -
$ 5,854 USD
Goal Amount -
65
Days Left
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Cost Calculator
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Airfare/ International Flights
$ 1,600
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Accommodation
$ 2,000
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Local Travel Expenses
$ 975
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Books/ Text and Study Materials
$ 500
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Luggage and Equipment
$ 500
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FundMyTravel Site Fee
$ 279
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Donor Rewards
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10 USD
Hand written thank you postcard from the UK.
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50 USD
Hand written postcard from UK and photo from trip.
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100 USD
Handwritten postcard, photo print, signed bookmark from Elen Chronicles-Of Love and Blood
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200 USD
Handwritten postcard, photo print, bookmark, and signed paperback of Elen Chronicles – Of Love and Blood
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500 USD
Handwritten postcard, photo print from UK, bookmark, Character/research map, for The Elen Chronicles – Of Love and Blood
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1,000 USD
Handwritten postcard, photo print, bookmark, research map, character map (book tour) map, signed hardback.
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Funders
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Sonya, Annie, Gwen, Zilla Funded $ 100 USD
Jul 01, 2025 -
Brittany (nurse from union emergency room) Funded $ 20 USD
Jun 26, 2025 -
Ron Andrews Funded $ 100 USD
Jun 13, 2025 -
Dave & Sue Funded $ 100 USD
May 25, 2025 -
Cindy Ross Funded $ 100 USD
Apr 17, 2025 -
Anonymous Funded $ 1,000 USD
Apr 04, 2025 -
Jeanette M Gaskill Funded $ 100 USD
Apr 03, 2025 -
Anonymous Funded $ 150 USD
Mar 12, 2025 -
Anonymous Funded $ 300 USD
Mar 12, 2025 -
Anonymous Funded $ 25 USD
Feb 06, 2025 -
Marilyn Kulkarni Funded $ 25 USD
Feb 06, 2025 -
Ron Andrews Funded $ 50 USD
Dec 26, 2024 -
Anonymous Funded $ 20 USD
Nov 24, 2024 -
Debbie Carrico Funded $ 50 USD
Nov 23, 2024 -
Monica Leeman Funded $ 50 USD
Nov 23, 2024 -
Alice Lundgren Funded $ 100 USD
Oct 13, 2024
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