Want To Be A 'Sanger?

What's a 'sanger you ask? Well, until I watched the reality TV series on the History Channel, Appalachian Outlaws about digging ginseng, I had no idea either.

Ok, why am I blogging about this? Because it gave me an idea about a new book - Dark Secrets that should be coming out later this summer.

I had no inkling that ginseng grew wild in parts of the United States, as well as areas of Quebec and Ontario. When I started doing some research, I found not only that it grows wild but that many states regulate the entire ginseng business from those who dig the roots to being a registered dealer. You need a license to be a 'sanger or ginseng digger. There's even regulations about how old a plant must be before it can be harvested.  How do you know a plant's age? Count the scars near the base of the stem. Each year the stem and leaves die back and leave a scar. Count these and it will give you an approximate age of the plant. The berries must be replanted near the harvested plant so more can grow.

Many of these facts are placed sporadically in my story.

There's even websites on how to dig, harvest, store the roots and when it can be sold or certified and when the actual season is. I was amazed at all the information about harvesting ginseng. I thought it was just something from China and Korea, used in herbal medicine. Boy did I get my eyes opened.

Of course my story, Dark Secrets, is a work of fiction with a few facts sprinkled throughout. The TV program portrayed the business as very competitive thus I've tried to  bring that into my story.

I enjoyed creating this story. It has a few twists and turns that I hope will keep you wanting to read more.

Dark Secrets should be released later this summer.  Watch for it!

Happy Reading!

K. R. Bailey

www.KRBailey.com

Dare To Dream

Now that Halloween is through and the spooky goblins are put away for another year, I'm feeling kind of speculative. Do you dream about wanting to accomplish something? Do you believe your dreams can come true?

For years, I dreamed of having a book published. I never really thought it might happen, but I hoped and dreamed and one day I decided to write a story.  A friend of mine encouraged me to go for it. I'm glad I did.

Am I rambling? Probably a little, but I wanted to encourage you to dream, to believe, then to work toward accomplishing that dream.

I found a thought I want to share -

The future belongs to those who BELIEVE
in the beauty of their DREAMS.

I don't know who said it, but I love it. We determine the future. Each and every one of us will add something to the world that will be part of the future.  Let's believe. Let's dream. Let's make our dreams come true.

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com

Believe in Yourself

Always remember
You are braver than you believe
Stronger than you seem and
Smarter than you think!

I came across this thought in a magazine and today I really needed to read it so I thought I'd share it with you.  There are days when it seems nothing goes right and I just want to give up. Do you ever have those thoughts?

So, as I read through the thought I realized that I've always used the motto - you can do what you set your mind to.  I can be brave and strong and smart. I can accomplish what I set out to do by taking things one step at a time.

I remember dreaming about becoming a published author. I never thought I could do something like that. Now, several years later, I have nine stories published. I accomplished one of my dreams, and it feels good.

Just remember how good it feels when you accomplish something. You may have to be a bit brave to take the first step. Stay strong - you can do it!

Have a great day.

K. R. Bailey

http://www.KRBailey.com