Glory Monson, Rugby, has published her first novel. The woman known for many creative pursuits is the artistic director for Village Arts. She retired from her job at the Backstage Gallery and Gifts in January.

Monson began writing as a child and has been writing ever since. Her work with the Village Arts has encouraged her to write plays and poetry. She graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn. with a degree in speech and theatre and minors in visual arts and French.

Huldre Journey of the Hidden Ones is a historical/fiction-mainstream novel of 563 pages. In her own words,”The book relates the journey of discovery for five young adults – a wealthy California artist, a successful San Francisco ballet dancer, two rebellious Norwegian farmers, and a Sioux Indian. Their lives unexpectedly collide in North Dakota in 1934 near the end of the Dust Bowl and Great Depression. Each young person comes with a dream and a secret capable of destroying them. Their relationships are complicated by the ethnic and social diversity among them and exacerbated by cultural prejudices and bigotry. Eventually their differences lead each to a point of no return, with no alternative but to face their own truths even when it means losing their dreams and those they love.” Huldre is a person in Norwegian folklore who calls someone away from his or her destiny, according to Monson.

“The book has been in my head for 30 years and has taken about a year to finish,” said Monson.

Monson once lived in San Francisco so she decided to start the book with the setting there. Since she chose the era of the 1930s, she had to do some research to find out what San Francisco was like in that era. Monson interviewed people who went through some of the experiences in the ’30s. She researched Norway, as well, since the characters in the book are led to Norway.

“I am a very visual person,” relates Monson. “I write down what I see in my head.”

Monson keeps a notebook by her bed so if she can’t sleep, she can write ideas down. Her writing day starts at 8:00 a.m. and she works at least until noon, longer, if the writing is flowing. She usually has a certain number of pages she writes each day.

Although she didn’t like the subject of history in high school, historical novels are what she enjoys reading now. Two of her favorite authors are Sarah Donati and Dan Brown.

In addition to working at the gift shop, both Glory and her late husband, Bill Monson were teachers. She was art coordinator at Crookston, Minn, at the beginning of her career. The Monsons moved to Rancho Cordoba, California and to San Francisco to pursue teaching careers. When their oldest daughter was four, they decided to move back to North Dakota. They taught in Minot and then in Rugby. They raised two daughters, Shannon Miller and Lisa Foster. Monson has five grandchildren.

She enjoys keeping up with her grandchildren’s activities and feels very blessed to have them nearby. She enjoys writing, painting and gardening and of course, her work with Village Arts.

Monson did much research on publishers for her book and ended up picking one in the Midwest, Mill City Press. She will soon have her website up and running at www.gloryannmonsonstudio.com. Books can be purchased from Monson directly. Bookstores have the books, as well. For a signed copy, a purchase from the author would be the best.

Monson along with other local authors will have a book signing at the Heart of America Library during the 125th Celebration of Rugby in July.