One of the challenges of being an author is the overlap between stories. Until the Harvest was recently up for an award, A Tapestry of Secrets released a month ago, and I’ve just turned in the manuscript for my fourth novel yet to be named.
You’ll forgive me if the stories run together.
So, although it’ll be a year before you can officially meet my latest cast of characters, I thought I’d give you a peek into the world filling my head these days and the people who populate it.
The story begins with a mine accident in West Virginia and quickly moves to South Carolina the summer before Hurricane Hazel wiped the coast clean in 1954.
One of the delights of being an author these days is putting together a Pinterest board for inspiration. I’m sharing a few of the photos here, but if you’d like to see more, click on over and check out the images I’ve saved. The photo I’m using for my hero looks so much like I imagined him, I have a hard time remembering Judd isn’t real. The photo is from the National Archives of a miner about to start work in Richlands, Va., in 1974.
JUDD MARKELY – “The man dogging Hank’s steps was at least six feet tall with dark hair and an odd, hitching gait. As they drew closer, Larkin noticed he had the most appealing dimple in his chin and blue grey eyes that looked . . . tired she decided.”
LARKIN HEYWARD – “That evening, Larkin bathed and changed into plaid pedal pushers, flats, and an eyelet blouse. She tied her hair back into a ponytail and curled it just so.”
GRANNY JANE – The cabin was little more than one, big room with blankets for partitions. An old woman lay in a bed in the far corner, a quilt tucked snug around her solid form. Judd eyed her neatly braided hair coiled on her head like a crown. Her veined hands were folded over the covers and her eyes were bright. Somehow he thought someone who was dying would look worse off.
A year seems like a long time, but I know it’ll be here in the blink of an eye. Can’t wait to carry you with me from Bethel, WV, to Myrtle Beach, SC, and then to Logan, KY. Judd, Larkin, Granny Jane, and a whole bunch of other good people will be mighty glad to meet you when the time comes.
Loved looking at your Pinterest board; brought back lots of memories from my tween years.
Mom–the best research material!
Can’t wait to read this one Sarah Thomas.
So glad to have you as a reader!
I’m anxious to meet this cast and share their story. Sounds just like home.
You know it!
Oh, Sarah, I’m so in this journey with you! I’m a fan. I can’t wait to read Tapestry. This new one sounds so amazing, too. I know it must get confusing. Because I’ve written two … and sometimes I forget things from my first one. I think I’ll read it over again soon. And maybe since I’ve been writing more, maybe I’ll see things I didn’t see before. But yes … working on one, and then trying to remember the other one from a year ago in order to market … to market, to market!! 🙂 Oh, that must be a challenge. Good challenge. 🙂
And of course all these people feel so REAL! Can’t wait to read your stories ere long . . .
Yep, I’ll take Judd, hands down;) No wonder your characters are so real!
And I’ll take Seamus! You’re heroes make me swoon!
Sarah, the thing I have enjoyed the most reading your books is trying to figure which of your family members the characters are built on. I know too much of your Dad’s family to not see them. W. Va. to Myrtle Beach… I can’t wait. Aunt Pat
Mom does the same thing! While there’s certainly inspiration there, I make an effort NOT to write anyone I know into my books.