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Pepper Basham | Finding a Story in a Garage Sale
My Appalachian Granny instilled in me the value of a โgood findโ from the time
I
was a little girl. Starting when I was about nine years old, Iโd crawl out of
bed early on Saturday mornings to join my granny in her big blue car to drive
toward Mt. Airy, NC and go โyard hoppinโ (as she called it). Yard hopping
became
an activity I continued throughout my life, not quite as frequently as when I
was younger, but certainly something worth slowing down in front of a
florescent
sign on the side of the road which read - โGarage Saleโ.
You never know what you might find. One of my BEST purchases so far has been a
1901 handmade cape from Madrid. Itโs gorgeous, and reminds me of something Anne
of Green Gables might wear!
But of all the things I expected to find at these garage sales, I never planned
on discovering a story.
In factโฆI discovered TWO.
I donโt mean the cool 25 cent box of used books (although Iโve found some great
books in those boxes before too, like a beautifully illustrated 1945 copy of
Jane Eyre or the two histories of WW1 published in 1919!!
But above and beyond those cool discoveries, I found stories :)
About thirteen years ago, while rummaging through books at a yard sale, I
stumbled upon a nonfiction book on a topic Iโd never heard of before. The
Lusitania. For those of you who might not know, The Lusitania was a passenger
liner torpedoed by the Germans in 1915. For six months before this lovely find,
Iโd been dabbling with a story idea about a young womanโs struggle to overcome
her past, but I hadnโt found the right setting yet, until I discovered that
book. Somehow the uniqueness and obscurity of the lesser known linerโs sinking
fit my heroineโs storyโฆand my debut novel, THE THORN
BEARER, was born.
Of course, it would be 12 more years before THE THORN
BEARER would find its way into the heart of my publisher, Vinspire, and
then
onto the printed page, but the perfect story setting began with a discovery at
a
garage sale.
In the meantime, I was in for another find which would set the stage for
another
story. About 7 years ago, while visiting a garage sale in our town of Johnson
City, TN, I found a book for 50 cents entitled The German Invasion of Western North Carolina by Jacqueline
Painter. What an interesting title, right? Curiously enough, at the time, my
family and I were living just over the mountain from Hot Springs, NC, where
this
book took place. It was a nonfiction about a German Internment Camp during
World
War 1 housed in the small Appalachian community of Hot Springs. Boy, oh boy,
did
the sparks of creativity start to fly!! The third book in the Penned in
Time series was born.
Many of my research books for novels have come from โyard hoppinโโ, consignment
shops, or used book sales. Itโs a wonderful experience to find a treasure in
the
middle of castoffs and know something greater can come from your little
discovery :)
Itโs certainly been worth my time.
Giveaway
Soโฆhave you ever discovered a story at a Garage Sale or used book sale?
Maybe
not one youโd eventually write, but one that made a lasting impression on you?
What was that story....more importantly, what was the price? ;-) Do you have my
50 cent purchase beat? Leave a comment below and be entered for a chance to win
a copy of THE THORN BEARER.
Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered
with
grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC
where sheโs continually inspired by the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Her
debut historical romance novel, THE THORN BEARER, released in May 2015, with
the
second arriving in February 2016. Her first contemporary romance debuts in
April
2016.
Website | Facebook | Twitter
From the decks of the ill-fated Lusitania to the smoke-filled trenches of
France, Ashleigh must choose between the forgiveness of her past, life in the
present, and a Savior who can rescue her from them all.
When her fiancรฉ leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected
blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her fatherโs intimate
betrayal. Her worst fears are confirmed โ who could ever love a soiled woman?
In an attempt to escape the shame and disappointment of her past, Ashleigh
boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to
her dismay, she isnโt traveling alone.
Sam Miller is always making up for his best friendโs mistakes. Determined to
help Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and protection as she ventures across a
perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleighโs
sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in his best friendโs
former fiancรฉ and his own childhood companion.
As they travel across the Atlantic, neither is prepared for the life-altering
and heart-breaking journey of their friendship.
When the truth of Ashleighโs past explodes in the middle of war and Sam rejects
her, Ashleigh must decide if God is enough โ or if the double weight of her
betrayal and past will crush her life forever.
Comments
21 comments posted.
Re: Pepper Basham | Finding a Story in a Garage Sale
My Father sort of turned us off to doing yard sales until we
were old enough to be going out on our own, and about to be
married. Then there was nothing he could really say about
it, except admire the beautiful things we managed to pick up
for a steal!! My books were all purchased at the bookstore,
which caused me to immediately drool, as soon as I walked
through the door!! lol Since I've been reading from the age
of 3, I have to feed that urge with whatever topic appeals to
me at the time. I'm in love with the story line of your
book, and remember learning about the Lusitania in school, a
long time ago!! Congratulations on your latest book, which
should do well, and I'll be looking forward to all your books
to come in the series!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:25am November 27, 2015)
I used to go to garage sales when my kids were little and still growing
looking for clothes. Now I'd rather sleep late when I can. I sometimes find
good books at our local thrift store.
(Gail Hollingsworth 11:37am November 27, 2015)
I find lots of books at goodwill or other thrift stores. I feel like I can take more risks with trying books I might not like if I am not spending much.
(Pam Howell 12:18pm November 27, 2015)
i love buying used books but i can still spend a lot for them. no price is to high for a good story
(Sarah Hansrote 3:12pm November 27, 2015)
Peggy,
I'm glad you've finally had the chance to discover the 'good' of yard hoppin' :-) I hope you get a chance to read The Thorn Bearer. I'm looking forward to discovering what the rest of this series will look like too :-)
(Pepper Basham 3:26pm November 27, 2015)
Gail and Pam, thrift stores are definitely at the top of my list for great places to find used books. I like the 'sleeping in' idea on Saturdays more now too, Gail. :-)
(Pepper Basham 3:27pm November 27, 2015)
Yard sales are great, but I usually have better luck at thrift stores. I love books, but not the new cover price! So expensive, especially if it's a nonfiction craft book.
(Cynthia Powers 9:24am November 28, 2015)
I seldom get to yard sales or thrift stores but when I do I head to the books first . I love books , that's how I learn and get to see the world and be in another world . I usually put myself into the books I read .
(Joan Thrasher 1:45pm November 28, 2015)
No luck at yard sales, but I used to find good deals at BookCloseouts.com. One very cheap Mary Higgins Clark audiobook and I was hooked on her books.
(Kelly Powell 2:08pm November 28, 2015)
Not yard sales but I get a lot of my books at used book stores
(Jolene Allcock 5:28pm November 28, 2015)
I don't have much luck finding books at yard sales around here. I joke that people around her don't read although I'm half serious when I say it. I get a lot of book online. I love bookoutlet.com for slightly older releases.
(Kerry Shaw 7:22pm November 28, 2015)
I don't shop at yard sales, but I do purchase books at a local used bookstore and at arts and crafts fairs. Thanks for sharing the inspiration for your books.
(Bonnie H 9:33pm November 28, 2015)
Garage sales have the best deals in my area. The books are
like new and I have found wonderful classics which are
treasures.
(Sharon Berger 10:15pm November 28, 2015)
I acquired a lovely Norwegian teapot, bowl and two cups that had belonged to my neighbor's family along with stories of Christmas in Norway 65 years ago. It was so interesting to hear of the spruce with white candles glowing on the branches as everyone sat together with hot drinks and cookies.
(Sharon Mitchell 3:59am November 29, 2015)
I have found a lot of great reads at auctions. Buy a book of books for almost nothing and find treasures in that box
(Cynthia Keagy 10:59am November 29, 2015)
I love to go to yard sales, have done this since I was child.
(Linda Hall 1:10pm November 29, 2015)
I was about eight when I found a battered copy of The
Little Princess at a garage sale. I told my dad to buy it
for me "Cause the princess on the cover looks pretty."He
indulged me and got it for a reasonable price. Its been one
of my favorite classics ever since.
(H J 10:00pm November 29, 2015)
I enjoy finding great deals at used book stores. I could spend hours looking
through all the books.
Thank you for the chance to enter the giveaway.
(Anita Seymour 3:13am November 30, 2015)
I would shop for pottery and not so much books. I used the
library to check out books,
(Nancy Ludvik 5:41pm November 30, 2015)
I bought Outlander for a dollar at the Salvation Army Garage
Sale.
(Cynthia Cook 10:06pm November 30, 2015)
I go to Goodwill and have found some great books. After I read
them, I re-donate to Goodwill and also to my local library. I
recently found The Secret Garden and I enjoyed the read. Your
interest for this time era of the war is great and best to you.
(Leona Olson 2:51pm December 2, 2015)
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