The Compromise compromised

 "Few things are certain in this life, however shrewdly a man may plan." -- Raphael Sabatini -- The Black Swan

Fun Fact:

Back to 1850 and the Great American Compromise. The matter of Texas in Clay's Omnibus bill was tentatively resolved by the Dawson Proviso, an amendment stipulating that New Mexico would not be allowed to exercise any authority east of the Rio Grande until the boundary commission had drawn a line that satisfied both Congress and the Texas Legislature. In other words, Texas had veto power over the boundary issue. Naturally, this brought Texas in to support the Omnibus. However, Stephen Douglas and others saw that Texas, having a de facto border established at the Rio Grande by the proviso, would never agree to anything less. 

James A. Pearce of Maryland moved to strike the entire Texas and New Mexico section of the Omnibus and reinsert it without the Dawson Proviso, as an unreasonable capitulation to Texas. Henry Clay saw all his hard work would be undone by Pearce. Clay and his friends tried to dissuade him from the maneuver, but Peace carried on. David Yulee seized the occasion for a maneuver of his own, asking if Pearce would consent to allow them to vote separately on the deletion and reinsertion provisions. When Pearce agreed, they voted for the deletion, but before the reinsertion vote, Yulee made a motion to delete everything still in it that related to Texas. His motion passed. With Texas unsatisfied, the Omnibus was critically wounded and leaking blood in shark infested waters. The predators moved to strike the portions relating to New Mexico, and then to California--each passing and leaving the Omnibus a hollow shell, with Utah remaining as the lone passenger. That issue was voted on and passed a few days later with little opposition. 

Defeated, Clay left Washington. Would anyone step up to fill the gap?

The above is summarized from Chapter 23 of Fergus Bordewich's America's Great Debate: Henry Clay, Stephen Douglas and the Compromise that Preserved the Union.

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 Check out my new book page with also includes magazines and anthologies featuring my short stories. Two more will be added soon.

Cassie Greutman

 Interview with Cassie Greutman

Author of the Penchant for Trouble Series

 

Please tell me a little about your current work in progress.

 Right now I’m working on several things, but the story I can talk about the most is book four in the Penchant for Trouble series. The main character Trish has gone through a lot and learned so much in the last three books, and it really starts to come to a head in book four! So I’m not giving away too many spoilers, I’ll just say book one is about a fae girl being raised in the human foster care system who is blackmailed by the Faerie Council to help capture an escaped fae fugitive. And things only get more crazy from there!

Where did you get the idea for this book or series?

My parents were foster parents even before I was born, so I had many foster siblings over the years. When I got old enough to notice how foster parents are portrayed in movies, books, and TV, I was annoyed. Most foster parents are amazing people trying to help kids. So I decided to write a story where the foster parents are the good guys! But I also love the fantasy genre, and wanted to blend the two things. So that’s how Penchant for Trouble was born!

Do you write in more than one genre?

I mostly write YA urban fantasy with strong themes about the importance of family, whether that’s blood related or not, but I also have a portal series started, which will crossover with the Penchant for Trouble world. It’s called the Arnath Chronicles. I dabble in epic fantasy a bit, with a dragon story coming out soon in an anthology called Dracos.

Tell me about something that you believe makes your writing unique or worthy of attention.

Being a foster sister growing up has given me unique perspectives into relationships. If you like stories with great characters, then you should give my books a try!

Is there anything about your personal history or personality that manifests strongly in your writing?

As well as the foster family aspect, I’ve also been in EMS for fifteen years. The emotion that goes with the trauma of some of those runs has made me empathetic to others pain, and has also helped me flesh out my characters.

What else would be helpful for readers to know about you?

Hmmm… I’m extremely into horses. I love everything about them. I like to rescue when I have the time and funds. They are my happy place when I’m not writing.

Excluding your own work, what underrated author or book would you recommend that more people read? Why?

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles are amazing books that I don’t often hear mentioned. I love them, they are magical and humorous, and one of the few series that I continue to read over and over.

Which of your books do you most highly recommend? Why?

I would definitely start with Regen. It’s the first book in Penchant for Trouble. I love the monsters, I love how Trish is learning it’s okay to love and be loved by her foster family even though she has abandonment issues.

Which break, event, decision, or fortuitous circumstance has helped you or your writing career the most?

I attended a couple small writing conferences as a teen, and I’m not sure that I would have had the confidence to continue writing without them. For anyone who wants to write, finding even a small local conference can be so encouraging.

What question do you wish you would get asked more often?

How many books are you going to have in your series? If people are asking that, they have probably read through what’s there and want more!

Do you have a catch-phrase or quote that you like? What is it? And why do you choose it?

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
It’s so true, for every aspect of life. Just keep on keeping on, and eventually you’ll get there, even if it isn’t in the time frame you would like.

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Thanks to Cassie for participating.

Road Trippin' is available now in ebook and paperback. Anthology of both fiction and nonfiction travel stories. My nonfiction story about someone's motorcycle trip back in the 50s is the second story in the book. Enjoy it while you can.

I nearly scratched out a new observation about The Lord of the Rings but decided to save that for my newsletter--which you can sign up for at the top of the page.