A Look Back - Planning Forward

Post by Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Image (C) Doris McCraw 

2025 is about to be a scene in the rearview mirror. Here is a look back at the year of blog posts:

January - I began the year on a Thank You: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/01/thank-you.html

February - A look at my reading list and the importance of stories: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/02/and-next.html

March - Relevance and a rant of sorts: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/03/relevant-it-depends.html

April - The upcoming A250-C150: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/04/150-250.html

May - A look at AI and its influence? :https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/05/andi-share.html

June - Some of my favorite opening lines: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/06/opening-lines.html

July - A look at some of the painters and photographers of the Old West: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-other-side-of-west.html

August - A deep dive into the people that caught my reading attention: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/08/research-reading-deep-dive.html

September - A bit about the man made 'famous' in Isabella Bird's book  "A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains": https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/09/rocky-mountain-jim.html

October - A look at a man who impacted early Colorado: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/10/sir-st-george-gore.html

November - Dr. Dunlop and her connection to the Lake County War: https://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/2025/10/sir-st-george-gore.html

As I plan 2026, my thought is to deep-dive into the people who were involved in the effort to secure Colorado's statehood in 1869, the results, and the process that led to Colorado becoming the Centennial State. For those who have the time to read these blogs, as well as the others who post here, we hope our offerings are of some use and enjoyment.

Until next year, 

Stay Safe, Stay Creative, and Stay Happy,

Until Next Time,

Doris

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon

Relevant? It Depends

Post (C) Doris McCraw

aka Angela Raines

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Relevant? It depends. I've been thinking about relevance lately. With March as National Women's History Month, the question of women's relevance in Western History is important to me, but is it the same for others?

Relevance: important to the matter at hand. This is the definition that a search brought up.

When we read Westerns, the stories are usually male-oriented, with lots of action, etc. If the story is female-oriented, it seems the same action, etc., or, my personal pet peeve, the woman is 'violated' and needs to be saved or seeks revenge. 

How true or realistic is this in actual history? How many times have men gone off and it's the woman who does her job and his while he is gone? Think about Abigail Adams, Civil War Wives, or any number of occasions when the woman is placed in the position to make the decisions. 

What are your thoughts on the subject? 

Photo (C) Doris McCraw

Part 2:

Blogs, relevant? As the first part mentions, it is important to the matter at hand.

Blogs are a great way for a writer, new or experienced, to showcase their abilities. At the same time, what is contained in the subject matter is also something to consider.

I write about history. Almost everything I post on a blog, Substack, or other social media is usually history-focused, so most of my work will show up on searches. 

Tagging is also relevant to ensure the quality of what you are sharing. The keywords, the means of searching for your work, are also important.

So, Blogs? Relevant? Love to hear your thoughts. Too many blogs, no time? Commenting? Do you like to know how people respond to your work? 

Until next time.

Doris McCraw

Angela Raines - Amazon

Doris A. McCraw - Amazon