Stop At Nothing to Get Your Story Told Worldwide

Racing Nellie Bly is based on historical characters, Nellie Bly (a writer, industrialist and inventor) and Elizabeth Bisland (a journalist and author). In 1890, these rivaling journalists from New York City raced each other in opposite directions to beat the record around the world in eighty days.

Barbara Wadkins discovered Bly and Bisland long before they were popular and wrote a spec script for a feature film. It came very close to getting picked up by several companies, but never quite hit. But she continues to tell the story so others can benefit from the heroes these women were.

A little history on Nellie:

Nellie Bly embraced the changes. She pushed the envelope of investigative reporting and stunt journalism, making front-page headlines. Bly loved the electric excitement in the air. Joseph Pulitzer, publisher of The New York World, found in her his secret weapon to compete for outrageous headlines. Bly masterminded incredible schemes, donned elaborate disguises, aked exotic accents — in short, she stopped at nothing to get her story.

Here’s a clip from the Barbara’s site to get a better idea about Nellie:

Nellie Bly “held her breath until she turned blue” in the offices of her editors. She had been routinely writing front-page articles that had caused readership to surge. With her fan base growing, Bly was always searching for new ideas to top her own records. Restless and wanting something bigger, she had an idea that she believed would grip audiences around the world.

A little history on Elizabeth:

Elizabeth Bisland, on the other hand, loved things the way they were. She was a beautiful, snooty, high-society essayist who believed in ladylike behavior and did not allow her byline to appear on her scholarly articles. Bisland resented and feared the changes Bly was spearheading.

In the end, who wins?  I’ll let you find out because their adventures are worth exploring and offer many life lessons for all of us.

Thanks Barbara Wadkins for sharing their story with us.  And keep on telling your story!

Read more at:  Nellie Bly:  Rule Breaker Races Around the World