A Historically Speaking Milestone

By Jessica Gorman

Sunday afternoon, I inadvertently realized that a milestone almost slipped by unnoticed. Last week’s article was number one hundred for Historically Speaking which seems like a fitting time for a little honest self-reflection.

If you had told me that one day I’d be writing a column, I would have never believed you. That column has now produced three Historically Speaking books, the third volume will be available soon. This wasn’t my idea and to be honest, I was extremely skeptical but I reluctantly agreed. My very first article, titled “Who Founded Minden?,” was published 22 September 2022. Since then, a range of topics has been covered, new facts have been learned, and surprises discovered. Some weeks, time is short, so many other things require my attention, the writing is difficult. Others, it’s as if the stories write themselves. Either way, I always feel that I could do better, if only there was more time. Time to research, time to write.

When I started this column, I foolishly thought that I’d develop a plan to stay organized so that I would always know what I was supposed to be working on. Reality is, most of the time, I have no idea what I’m going to write about from one week to the next. Sometimes it’s a product of something I’m working on but more often than not the topic seems to present itself, usually at the last minute.

So, what goes into writing this column? Oh, there is the research, but if I’m being completely honest, a whole lot of it is by the seat of my pants. I couldn’t begin to guess how many times Tuesday rolls around and I don’t know what the week’s article will consist of. At the end of the day, I go home and, of course, all the things have to be done. I help with school work, walk the dog, cook supper, catch up on everybody’s day. Eventually, the priority shifts to writing. I settle in with my laptop and notebook and pen and think, “Okay, tell me what I’m supposed to write this week.” At some point, I started to notice a recurring phenomenon. When the notebook appears, one or the other of my kids decides that is precisely the moment they need to sit and talk. It’s become somewhat of a running joke. Now, when it happens, I hold up the notebook in acknowledgement.

Finally, usually around midnight, I start to write and work until I’m either fairly confident I can finish the next morning or I just can’t stay awake any longer. I try to get my article in by noon each Wednesday, but that doesn’t always happen and the email goes out to say, “I’m working on something, but running behind.” Some weeks, it just doesn’t get done.

As I reflect on the work that has been done, I am acutely aware of the work that remains and all the ways I strive to be better. Thank you to each and every one of you who reads this column. Thank you to each of you who has taken the time to share an encouraging word. It doesn’t go unnoticed, especially when I so rarely meet my own expectations.

So, as tends to be the case, I have no idea what I’ll write about next. What is clear is that there is much more to learn, much more to share. I’m interested to see what stories ask to be told and hope that they keep coming, maybe even before midnight on Tuesday night.

(Jessica Gorman is the Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum, Inc., Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)