This coming Saturday is the 104th renewal of the Greatest Two Minutes in sports – the Kentucky Derby. Twenty thouroughbred horses will make the “run for the roses” before a crowd of more than 100,000 people at Churchill Downs. The crowd will include celebrities and people from every social strata who come for the excitement, the food, the glamor, a Mint Julep or two, and bragging rights to say they were there when . . .
This may seem like a post that’s a bit different from what I usually write here, but stay with me. There is a point.
A couple of years ago at a writing conference, I was waffling about trying to figure out what would be the next writing project I would tackle. None of my suggestions made my agent or my editor’s eyes light up, and truthfully, I was plucking ideas out of the air. I wanted to write in a more historical vein than I had previously, but what? On the last evening of the conference, right before the start of the gala, my agent whispered two words to me: Kentucky Derby. I could hardly sit still during the gala and went to my friend Google on my phone. I knew immediately she was onto something.
I did have a bit of trouble with the concept of writing about an industry that glorified gambling and had its own signature alcoholic beverage, but I knew enough about the derby to know that it was also known for its magnificent hats. The idea for The Hatmaker’s Heart was hatched. And subsequently, the book which follows (which I will share with you all soon). This proposal did make my editor’s eyes light up, and I’ve had a marvelous time researching and learning who Nell Marchwold, the hatmaker in my story, is and how she was discovered at . . . of all places, the Kentucky Derby.
Max and I took a wonderful trip to Louisville and the surrounding area to conduct research. As fate would have it, the fall racing season was in progress, and we were able to see our first horse race. There weren’t any lovely hats, but the Kentucky Derby museum provided plenty of fodder for my imagination. In four weeks, The Hatmaker’s Heart releases. We’re going to have a lot of fun stepping back into the Roaring Twenties. In the meantime, here are a few pics from our research trip for you to enjoy.
The Rose blanket bestowed on the winner of the Kentucky Derby. From the Kentucky Derby Museum.
My first horse race. Churchill Downs.
Some of the many hats on display at the Kentucky Derby Museum.
Close up of a fanciful hat at the museum
Queen Elizabeth’s visit to the Kentucky Derby – from the Kentucky Derby Museum.
What sort of hats do you like? Join me on FaceBook for the next couple of months where I’ll be talking about hats, hats, and more hats! Stay tuned for some exciting news about book signings and contests coming up in June.