What genre do you write? I write historical fiction based on the history and culture of people who lived in the smoky mountains before their homes and farms became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is fascinating to be able to visit an old cabin or church while vacationing in the park, yet also be able to go back in time to imagine what life would be like with no one else around, no running water, having to hunt, fish, trap, or grow all your own food, and create an entire community and way of life. There are many lessons from the simple life, even in our modern hustle bustle world.
What inspires your stories? My father’s side of our family is from North Carolina, and we’ve been visiting the Smoky Mountains my entire life. I’ve always felt the magic of these mountains, walking through the preserved cabins and fields of Cades Cove and other such places in the national park. As I stepped into a cabin, gazed at the long dormant hearth, I wondered how the people really lived, how they raised children, created an entire community, lived off the land, handled sickness, despair, and celebrations. And I wanted to bring their stories to life. My mission is always to honor and preserve their unique history.
If you could write from any place and time, where and when would that be? I am loving the early 1800s time period of my books. I love the moment the people set foot on the land, staked their claims, and began building cabins, corn cribs, barns, churches, schools, general stores, etc. I find that fascinating: starting from nothing and creating an entire community that was prosperous and functioning. I also love the self-sufficiency, freedom, and American spirit woven through their lives. I think I’ve found my happy place in my writing, and I can’t wait to write more!
Southern Sisters Book Club 