I have spent the last two months inundating myself with the Lincoln County War and specifically Billy the Kid. I've been scouring books, websites, documentaries, and movies about William H. Bonney and I still have several books to pick up."What then", you may ask? Well, I will begin re-reading every single one of them.
During my research I found and joined a wonderful Facebook group called The Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid. It has been the perfect Facebook group for me and my project, and for my general interest in this subject alone. I've had the pleasure of getting to know several people within the group. Roy Haws, Gordon Fikes, Marcelle Brothers, Nicole Maddalo Dixon, and Drew Gomber are shining examples of the people I have met on there (Online, not in person yet). They have been invaluable to me during this research phase for my book. I know they get tired of the same old questions from newbies such as myself, but thankfully they haven't taken out their frustrations on me and my ignorance...yet.
I have been doing much note taking and outlining for the book and there's some content written in the initial chapters I have. I slowly get a little done here and there but it is a long process. Unfortunately I can only go so far with the writing at this point. A part, or the major part, of this book is/will be based on a trip around New Mexico (& a dip into Arizona?), visiting all the key places where The Kid had been, and hold historical value to him. The trip and that part of the book is about how I, as a recovering agoraphobic person with a rather sizable anxiety problem, deals with this solo journey. Regardless as to how many attempts at, whether one continuous trip or several small ones, or how long, is what is important and the true story. The history of the places I travel to, and The Kid himself, are the other parts to it. They are my focus.
I am still unsure of when I will start my crowdfunding campaign. I will get to that most likely after some more researching which means it will not be for at least a few more months. Once I get a final list of the places I need to go, where I will stay, how long I'll be at each place, fuel estimates, tour/interview with possible museum costs, and a better understanding of other tangibles such as self-publishing costs (if that's the route I go) as well as some things to pick up along the way for the incentives of certain donation levels in the campaign, I'll finely be ready to jump off that cliff. This aspect scares me nearly as much as the trip itself! Why? Because without the story of the journey, there is no story. And though I love to learn, and love history, I would have done all this research and planning for nothing.
This whole project just feels right, if you understand my meaning. I finally have something that is keeping me busy, is important to me, and is giving me purpose. It is also incredible because I wouldn't have been able to even comprehend or think of such a thing for myself just a few month ago. Sure, I am frightened, and have a great deal of stress, but for once it is a positive anxiety and stress as opposed to the kinds that lead me down dark mental corridors causing me to isolate myself from the world, where I remain in constant fear for my sanity, and safety. This feels like the beginning of a version of myself that makes me happy to be in the world once again. One that hopefully brings pride to myself and my loved ones. One that will hopefully inspire others who have suffered with the same issues as I have, letting them know that there is hope for people like us.
I will admit that the reason I wrote this little blog was in part because I had hit a wall and having trouble writing anything specifically for my book. This is basically a way to step away from it, yet still be working on it in some way...if that makes any sense.
Before I go, I would like to say that if you have any interest in Billy the Kid you should check out the website About Billy the Kid. It is a great source and a perfect starting point to anyone who wants to research The Kid, be it seriously or just for general interest and curiosity.
I have to thank Nadine Grip for sending me a few books for my research, and I also have to thank Roy Haws for sending me a copy of his book Brushy Bill ... Just Another Billy the Kid Tall Tale? It is one of the few times where Betteridge's law of headlines (usually attached to article headlines) does not apply! This is book is for the people who have seen Young Guns II a few too many times, or are conspiracy nuts and believe the story of Brushy Bill and that he was actually Billy the kid, never having died by the hand of Pat Garrett in July of 1881. I am no fan of giving him (Brushy) recognition but this is a book you need to read if your sense of historical reality is skewed when it comes to this issue.
Thanks for your time
David
