Friday, February 9, 2018

The Journey West by Wagon Train





 
The Journey West by Wagon Train 
Just a bit of History
In 1803 the United States expanded West with the Louisiana Purchase. Later with the assumption of lands gained with the Texan Annexation (1845) and the Mexican Cessation (1848) the opportunity for a new life for many was opened. With the claim of the Oregon Country (1847) hundreds of families ventured West by wagon train to the fertile lands of the Oregon Territory. Government pushes to settle American Pioneers on the newly claimed lands found hundreds of men, women and children leaving Independence Missouri for the chance at a new start. Reports of lands rich in soil and a farmer’s paradise resulted in the first wagon trains arrival to Oregon in 1843, before these lands were actually acquired.
The Push for Westward Expansion
The push to stretch America from the East to the West coast didn’t always warn of the hardships of such a journey. Preparing for the trip most often required selling land and leaving life’s luxuries behind. Selling one’s farm was a gamble but most of those willing to make the journey often banked on the produce of the land they planned to farm. Many sold their land and homes at a loss to set out on a journey that would was for many the biggest hardship of their lives. Many heading West with the first wave were promised 640 acres of prime farmland but the government Donation of Land Act cut the number of promised acres in half only a few years later. A man could claim 320 acres for himself and the same amount could be claimed by his wife in her own name. Women interested in the ownership of land were often enticed West for the same reason this number would later decrease to 160 acres for a man and the same for his wife, however around 1869 The Homestead Act in Oregon changed things for women. Even before they had the right to vote, women over twenty-one who were the head of the household were able to receive homestead patents for gaining their own land. Most often these women were widows, those with disabled husbands, and many of them single women.
Preparing for the Journey
The purchase of tickets by train to Independence Missouri in its own right could be expensive and the costs of a sturdy wagon, a team of oxen or horses and supplies didn’t come cheap. Those seeking to make their own fortunes off the families arriving to Independence sold some of the finest wagons and provision. The costs for even a small family’s provisions for the trip could easily run in excess of $1200.00, a great deal of money at the time. The journey of 2000 miles and more than 5 or 6 months didn’t come cheap though many families saved for years and then sold all they owned in hopes of making the payoff with hard work and successful crops once in the Oregon Territory.
Some wagon trains were composed of over 200 wagons though most were as small as 30. One of the most used types of wagons was called the Conestoga which was referred to as the camel of the West. These were less robust but stable in comparison to others. Less could be packed so bare essentials were planned for and the rest left behind. A cumbersome wagon loaded too heavily with unneeded provisions was the reason the trails west were often littered with furniture and items from homes that had been left behind. Preparations for such a journey meant a man often hired another to help on the trial, paying in full for the helps journey in exchange for “Man’s work”. Such a trip could be brutal though women often helped by working hard right alongside their husbands. Preparing for a trip of months across terrain from mountains to deserts in weather conditions that were at best unpredictable was at best dangerous for all involved but not fully limited to the list below:
Supply List
Tools-Hammers, nails,
Barrels of food staples
Rope and lot’s of it
Cast Iron pots, skillets, eating utensils and plates
Weapons for hunting and protections-shotguns, rifles, pistols, knives, bullets, molds and lead
Medications and bandages
The Family Bible
Bolts of cloth and linen and sewing kits
Plant cuttings for growing on the new land along with seeds and garden tools
100 pounds of Flour
70 pounds of bacon
30 pounds of hardtack, beans rice, coffee, sugar, dried fruits, baking soda, vinegar
Eggs and good China were packed in barrels of corn meal to keep them from breaking
Blankets, pillows, tents, poles and stakes
Canvas and Hickory Bows for the wagon itself
Lanterns and fuel
Pens papers books
Pipes and tobacco
Scopes, coins and money
Shaving items soaps and perfumes
Extra clothing, shoes, boots and socks
Saddles and leather for repairs
Livestock and feed

Dangers Along the way
A family headed out on a wagon train could at best plan for less than a hazard free journey. A lot of planning was needed to choose the right time of year for making the journey west. If a wagon train left too early there was the chance that grasses would not be available along the way for the livestock making the journey. Nothing to feed livestock on a 2000 mile journey could devastate a train and leave the travelers stranded. Leaving too late in the year meant the chance of trying to cross the mountains in inclement weather where at times the snow and ice were impassible and incredibly dangerous. Exposure ended many a travelers’ journey when not prepared or choosing a wrong course. Broken wagon wheels and sick oxen often ended many trips west. River crossings could often end up in the loss of lives if waters were higher than predicted and or wagons washed away with family members inside. There were ferries to charter wagons across but the costs could sometimes be high.
While rare, Indians attacks did occur, however, many tribes welcomed wagon trains as they were interested in trading. At times horses or other items were stolen by the Indians which often ended in bloodshed for both sides. Over the years the relationship between the wagon trains and Indians slowly deteriorated and by the 1890s with the Indian’s having lost their way of life, tensions continued. But it seemed the Indian tribes had more interest in fighting each other than in the immigrants traveling west by Wagon train when it came down to it. There were also the occasional wild animals to deal with which included, wolves, coyotes, bears, snakes and even buffalo that became dangerous during a stampede.
Numbers of men, women and children succumbed to disease and illness while on the journey West. Cholera being one taking numbers of lives due to unclean conditions and water. Lack of physicians and access to needed medical care was often left to others in the train that had no experience. There were doctors who made the journey, but lack of clean water and well prepared foods added to the demise of hundreds. Those at most risk were the elderly and the very young as well as pregnant women who only had the help of other women or perhaps a single midwives who had no resources along the trail. Alkaline water was also an easy way to find the oxen sick or dead by morning. It was imperative to find good water sources.
One of the little thought of dangers was crossing paths with a family who had decided to return home, those who had not found what they thought that would in the new part of the country. The tales of lost wagon parties such as the Donner Party (A wagon train that took a less popular route and found it closed off due to inclement weather and thus were stranded for months, those that survived resorting to cannibalism in an effort to survive) could be responsible for a family turning back for Independence.
The Daily Routine
The first part of the journey West on a trail was usually easy with flat terrain giving those new to the trail the chance to establish routines with required daily chores. It was often on the first part of the journey where those not use to the trail or caring for animals were forced to learn how to handle a team of oxen or horses. Hitching animals to a wagon wasn’t easy and the maintenance for the needed hardware was almost never ending. The animals needed access to food and water along any trail and often time trains rode along water’s edge to make sure the animals had what they needed to survive. The maintenance of the wagon itself could tax the men working the train and the first part of any leg of the journey was a time to establish the daily rules and responsibilities of being on a train. Children often held their own responsibilities such as milking or carrying water from streams and rivers. Children would gather berries and other food staples that were easy to find on the train. Some of the Wagon Trains held a few hours each evening for school for the children. Children might also use slates to practice sums while riding in the wagon along the way.
An average day on the wagon train would look something like this:
4:00am
Wagon Master fires shots to wake the camp of circled wagons which served as a nightly barricade from Indians or other attack. Fires were started. Oxen were herded to the wagons and yoked for the days’ journey.
5:00-7:00am
Breakfast. Yoking teams. Tents folded and stored. Wagons loaded
7:00am
Wagons pulled out for the days’ journey. Women and children often walked along with the wagons. Men and boys on horseback rode the lines in protection and to make sure wagons kept up and herded animals along.
12:00pm
Lunch break Wagons stopped. Oxen were turned loose with yokes on to feed. Leaders often huddled to deal with any issues that had arisen since the day before.
1:00pm
The wagon train pulls out again and continued until a spot of the nightly parking was found most often before darkness set in.
Evenings after sundown
Children often played as women prepared the evening meal. Adults gathered to talk in groups. There might also be dancing and singing after the evening meal.
Nightfall
The men took varying shifts of standing guard each night and until the gunshots of morning woke the train. And then the wagon train would start all over again for the next 5 to 6 months it would take to arrive along the to Oregon territory



Food Preparation
Dried Buffalo dung was often collected as it burned easily to start a camp fire for meals. This readily available resource burned quickly with little smoke. Gun powder was often used to get a flame started on a fire. Iron skillets were most often used for cooking all the needed meals, that and the open flame for roasting meats. Most carried flour and baking soda and dough could be created for breads, biscuits and pancakes or johnnycakes. Meal often consisted of dried meats, bacon and even dried beans, all of which were easy to store and carry for the journey. Frying meat often meant it was easy to add a little flour to create rues with the drippings and hearty gravy could be made to cover the dryer breads and beans. Water could often be polluted so coffee was the drink of choice even for children. Boiling the water kept sickness down and coffee could cover the smell of old water. The prairies were rich in game. Small birds and game were readily available. Rabbits, Prairie chickens, pheasants, antelope and big horn sheep as well as buffalo. Buffalo unless stampeding were an easy target given their size and lack of running when in danger. The buffalo would later suffer drastic losses in numbers simply for their hides, but in the early Wagon Train years one buffalo could feed the whole train and little was wasted.
On arrival to their destination, exhausted families relished in actually finding a bit of civilization again. With small towns waiting, needed provisions could be restored. Once this was done, families were often on their way to the land they had to claim and then it was time to plan and build a home before the winter came. Home in the area would be made of wood and or a combination of sod, bark and even animal skins until finer homes could be established. Often families had to help each other survive the first years until crops could be planted, harvested and sold at market. Families who survived the hard journey intact often found starting from nothing difficult, but many of those that endured thrived when given time.
 It seems the short time of the 1800’s and early 1900’s summarizes the expansion West for those who made the journey on wagon trains, but the arrival of the transcontinental railroads would go on to end the vast numbers arriving by wagon. But those who made those long hard journeys by wagon are the ones responsible for developing a lot of the cities that still exist today. 



Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Ask a Narrator...Welcome Dawson McBride!


Meet the Awesome Dawson McBride-Book narrator extraordinaire…


I am so very pleased to introduce Mr. Dawson McBride! Dawson narrated Sawyer’s Rose and Wyatt’s Bounty and I couldn’t be more pleased with his melodic deep voice and his ability to make my cowboys come to life, all with unique voices. I did a poll to find out what kind of questions people have for narrators so that maybe Dawson can enlighten us all on just how the process happens. Welcome Dawson, and tell us about you and how you got into narrating books? How long have you been narrating? Do you have a website for people to find your books?



Kim, I’ve been narrating for about 4 years. I’ve been telling stories since about the age of 6 when my father caught me breaking into our home because I had, once again, lost my key.

I’ve always been drawn to narration and the art of telling a story.  My first memory of a great storyteller is Rex Allen narrating “Charlie the Lonesome Cougar”. Like many voice actors, I began doing research into voice acting when I recognized that people made comments on my voice and how they enjoyed listening to it – and getting paid for that, was something that I thought would be a really great idea.

Once you begin researching the art of audiobook narration, you discover that it’s much more than simply “reading out loud”.  It is, in every aspect, the art of acting. So, after a few classes and some coaching I began searching for work.

I have been fortunate enough to complete over 75 books at this moment in time. Dawson McBride, however, has just begun his career in romance narration. Thus far, Dawson has completed 4 books, of which 3 are available through Audible and one is pending release.  I am also currently in production on 5 others, all in various stages of the production process.  All of my books as Dawson McBride may be found on Audible simply by searching my name – Dawson McBride.




What makes you choose a story and how do you know it is a fit for you?

First is the issue of my voice.  It doesn’t and won’t fit any and every genre. I began with mostly traditional western historical titles or those titles mostly set in the post Civil War 1800”s. I have been asked, and I have completed, some mystery thriller and some horror titles. Mostly I’ve been chosen by authors and publisher due to either the depth of my voice or the natural southern accent that my parent’s worked so hard to provide for me.

What made you choose to narrate romance stories? What other genres do you narrate?

This is a very good question.  I’ve been asked for over two years to begin producing romance titles.  But I was a bit skeptical, not because of the level of spice or the issues one may typically associate with shying away from romance.  My concerns were for being able to properly and effectively perform the spicy parts so that I didn’t sound like a giggling 9 year old looking at his first Playboy Magazine. (yes, and I wasn’t looking at the articles).  After being encouraged by more than one of my female peer narrators I decided that a rebranding effort would be necessary so that my romance work could stand apart from my other, non-romance work.

The level of spice is not an issue for me. What is an issue for me, and it is the line I draw for myself is when and if sexual activity within the title is non-consensual – unless it is a part of outlining the characters past or for creating a picture of why the character is who they are.

Some may assume that pseudonyms are used to “hide”, but for me, it’s a branding effort.  Much like the large auto manufacturers, it’s the same company, but a different brand.  I explain Dawson McBride is the Lincoln Continental and my other name is the Ford F-150.

My other guy narrates historical fiction, contemporary fiction, mystery / thrillers, and some horror / fantasy. Dawson will always narrate romance, and the sub-genres he is most suited for are Historical Romance with a Western or Southern flavor, MC Romance, and Military Romance.

When you are narrating a story is it done in order?

If by, in order, you mean from Chapter 1 to the Epilogue, yes that’s exactly how it’s done.

Is there a certain time of day that works better for you?

I’m an early bird, and in an effort to better balance my work life with my family life I choose to work fairly early in the morning (as I answer these questions it’s 4:15 am on a Saturday morning – and I’ve already made corrections to three chapter for an author and posted them for her review, auditioned for two commercials, and responded to a handful of email messages from publishers and clients)

Once the family is off to work and school, I’m back in the booth where I try to limit my narration to 3 finished hours per day (more than this causes me voice to weaken) and then I work on Social Media, Marketing and other business related issues associated with voice acting.

How many takes happen to complete a story, or what is the timeline on completing a work?

I narrate and edit each chapter, one chapter at a time.  I then listen to it for quality issues comparing it to the manuscript I’ve been provided. Once I’m satisfied, for ACX I post it to the production site where the Rights Holder has access to it and can choose to listen or not. If they listen and find errors I may have missed, I make those corrections and then post the corrected chapter for review.  I don’t like to move forward until I’m sure my author or Right’s Holder is completely satisfied with how their story is being told. I work on more than one title at a time so depending on the length of the title it could take anywhere from 4 days to 2-3 weeks to complete production.


How many times do you read a story before beginning the narrations?

I read every manuscript through once. Making notes while reading on characters, their mannerisms and attitudes and how they should be played. I keep those notes with me while narrating and I record a snippet of each voice to keep in a file so if that character appears in Chapter 1, but disappears until Chapter 43, I can go back and listen to how he or she was portrayed in order to be consistent.

And yes, you must read the entire story first!

What kind of equipment do you use and what is the set-up like?

I use an IMac within my home built booth, and I have an audio interface that connects my microphone to my IMac. I use mostly free software for recording, again, in a booth I built at the end of a long walk-in closet in my home.

What are you favorite works to narrate?

I love great stories and I love happy endings – where the protagonists finally come together and the antagonists get what they so richly deserve. A twist or two in the plot are always fun, as well.

What is the best thing about being a narrator?

The best thing is working from home where I get to be accessible to my family when needed and I can be flexible with my work schedule.

What is the worst thing about being a narrator?

This one changes for me as my career has progressed – First it was about finding work.  Then it became finding profitable work. And I have always had a dislike for marketing and sales, but it’s what we need to do if we want to take care of business. So, I imagine the worst thing is the necessity to have to always be looking for more work – because you never know when a great run of work is going to suddenly dry up.

Do you have trouble deciding voices for characters?

Not really. I try to not make my production about me and my ability to do character voices.  If that was my focus I’d probably be pursuing a career in animation or video games….the “performance” can never take away from the author’s words – it must be about the author’s words because I’m simply the one telling the story. My work needs to be a compliment to the author’s work, not a distraction.

And a sidebar, what do you like to read? Any other hobbies?

I grew up on Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour – and dad always took me to the most recent John Wayne or Clint Eastwood movie, so that’s where I gravitate to.  I do like to read autobiographical works of people who have had an impact on history – and not always a positive impact.

What advice do you have for authors working with a narrator?

Be honest about the work. Don’t surprise them. If there is a character with an Irish accent in book three that appears in book one, make sure they know that they have an Irish accent – or book three is going to be a surprise to your listener.

If you can afford it, always choose per finished hour (PFH) work. You’ll get the quality production you want and need and then you will reap all of the benefits of the royalties without having to share. You’ll always have a higher caliber of narrator pool to choose from when you can afford to pay between $250 - $400 per finished hour, or more. Many narrators who accept Royalty Share (RS) work do so with the understanding that PFH work comes before RS work. Many of these same narrators may not be agreeable to do the additional titles in your series if the sale of the first title in the series is not allowing them to make the same living they could under a PFH arrangement.

Also, if you’re not able to afford the full PFH method, consider a “Hybrid” arrangement. Assisting the narrator with the cost of his or her editing, proofing, and mastering at around $100 PFH plus the added benefit of Royalty Share will often allow you access to that “better narrator” pool.

Be as responsive as you’re able to be. If your narrator communicates with you, respond. They have deadlines and are likely handling more than one client at a time so they need to always be moving forward. If you are too busy to respond in a timely manner then that backs the process up and you may get lost between the cracks. If you know you’ll be too busy to timely respond, then let your narrator know upfront that it may take some time for you to get back to them. Most full time narrators started out as part time narrators so they understand the need to balance what they WANT to be doing with that “survival” job that pays the bills and keeps the lights on. Always be as professional as you expect your narrator to be. They will respond in kind. I promise!

Market, Market, Market especially Royalty Share titles. Narrators and their voices do not move the sales needle for titles. We are happy to assist, but most listeners don’t follow titles for the narrator, they follow the titles of the author. The more effective your marketing plan and the more involved you can be within your social media network, the more successful your titles will sell.

What advice do you have for those aspiring to become narrators?

Here’s the best advice I’ve ever heard for someone wanting to know if they’d like to be a narrator and it comes from the most prolific non-ficition narrator on the planet, Sean Pratt.

YouTube link and follow his advice:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPzPi-_0Xi8

….and that’s the most honest advice I can provide to anyone who is considering narration.

Thanks for being here Dawson! If there are other questions for Mr. Dawson McBride add a comment. I will be holding a raffle for those that comment. The winners will receive a free code to one of my Audible Stories.