The Return: A Novel of 1930s Mahtomedi, Minnesota
Date
2018-05
Authors
Reyes, Rachel
Major Professor
Advisor
Bovenmyer, Karen
Langenberg, Christiana
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The Return is a 64,000-word historical fiction novel set in 1930s Mahtomedi, Minnesota, my hometown and a suburb of St. Paul. Told from multiple points of view, the novel explores trauma, grief, family dynamics, and the journey to a sense of belonging, identity, and a place to call home. The novel’s concept originated from a 10,000-word short story written for an upper-level fiction writing class in April 2017. During the following summer, I used Stackpole’s 21 Days to a Novel method to develop the novel’s characters, plot, setting, and major themes. After writing the first and second drafts during the Fall 2017 semester, I gave the novel to three beta readers to review. In January 2018, I received my readers’ feedback and I am currently working on the third draft. Throughout the writing process, I have used print, online, and visual sources to conduct historical research on Prohibition, 1930s Twin Cities and Mahtomedi, the process of making moonshine whiskey, sensationalized gangster activity, and other relevant topics to ensure the novel’s historical accuracy and authenticity. After I finish writing and revising the novel, I plan to send the completed manuscript to several publishers in the Midwest.
Series Number
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Series
Academic or Administrative Unit
Type
Presentation