Prince William Resident Releases Book, Starts Writing Project for Youngsters

Gainesville resident Linda S. Johnston is set to release her novel, Hope Amid Hardship: Pioneer Voice from Kansas Territory on Aug. 6 .
The book chronicles the memories and thoughts of 60 Kansas pioneers , all of different ages, backgrounds and outlooks, who each help in their own way to shape the identity and the history of the state.

Through her research, Johnston found that pioneers kept journals, now more than 140 years old, that revealed they still found joy and beauty, despite episodes of drought, political turmoil and loneliness, according to a press release issued about the book.

The pioneers' journals inspired Johnston to start the Journaling Project, a series of workshops for children and young adults to learn the key role journals played in her research and to receive suggestions for keeping journals of their own. The workshop also discusses the different types of journals, information to include and incorporating illustration, Johnston said in a press release. 

“The persons whose diaries and journals I included in my book were not famous, they were everyday people trying to make a life in a new place,” Johnston said.  “The purpose of the Journaling Project is to show that individual writings from everyday life are important and become a part of history that helps reveal the character and personality of a time and/or place. Ordinary words become extraordinary.”

 In addition to being a writer, Johnston said she has a background as an artist and naturalist which gives her a unique perspective on these 60 pioneer.

Check out Johnston's website for information on how to scoop the book.