Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

Deer Run

The Fourth of July in “Road to Deer Run”

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With the upcoming release of the newly-revised Deer Run Saga, I am posting the excerpt of the 4th of July reading of the Declaration of Independence that is a crescendo event for the character of Daniel Lowe. This excerpt is from Road to Deer Run:

The older man  was similar in  appearance to  Josiah, but  the resemblance ended there, as the father had a more humble demeanor in both his countenance and speech. He read the Declaration with a clear, audible tone, obviously moved by the passion underlying the text. It was easy to understand why Mr. Grant had been chosen to do the reading. [Read more…] about The Fourth of July in “Road to Deer Run”

Winners of “The Promise of Deer Run”

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On June 27, I posted about PTSD Awareness Day and offered three copies of The Promise of Deer Run to three commenters.

I am delighted to announce the three winners of my post Revolutionary War novel that deals with Post Traumatic Stress in veterans. They are:

 

Heidi Morrell

Debra Butterfield

Janet Grunst

Promise of Deer Run, The
Book 2 in the Deer Run Saga

Congrats to each of you! A signed copy is on the way!

If you missed the article about PTSD Awareness Day, I am reposting it. Click here.

PTSD Awareness Day – The Promise of Deer Run

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Today is PTSD Awareness Day. It is a day to remember and acknowledge the emotional wounds suffered by our military men and women after their service in the war has physically ended. Emotionally, the war still rages in their minds. Victims of post traumatic stress need encouragement, support and counseling. But ignoring these unseen wounds can only make them worse.

Years ago, the emotional distress of soldiers long after the battles had ended—the nightmares, the anxiety, the depression—were not discussed.

Most relatives of WWII veterans describe their post war loved ones as soldiers who would never speak about the war. One can only imagine the internal horrors plaguing their minds—the battle scenes they wanted to protect their families from knowing about. They suffered in terrible silence under the label of “Battle Fatigue.”

In wars prior to WWII, soldiers still suffered. Those in the Civil War carried the label of “Soldier’s Heart.” In the Revolutionary War, surviving warriors had to suffer their own nightmares of bloody battles long after the swords were turned into plows.

Promise of Deer Run, The
Book 2 in the Deer Run Saga

My protagonist, Nathaniel Stearns, in The Promise of Deer Run is a veteran of the American Revolution suffering from post traumatic stress. In doing my research for this character, I interviewed veterans from recent wars who suffered from this terrible aftereffect. I gently asked them about some of the details of their suffering in order to add realism to this fictional character. I interviewed two Army chaplains who shared stories of the emotional wounds of warriors who they had counseled. It was sobering research that still touches my heart.

In honor of all the soldiers who have suffered from this disorder, I am giving away three copies of The Promise of Deer Run to three readers who comment on this blog. Please leave me your email address so I can contact the winners.

The Promise of Deer Run won Best Romance at the 2012 Los Angeles Book Festival, and also was a finalist in Religious Fiction at the 2012 ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year contest.

 

For further information on PTSD, you can read more here.

And thank you to all who have served in our military. I salute you.

Detour on the Journey

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Occasionally, life takes us on detours. That is where my writing path has currently taken me: from historical fiction to a non-fiction memoir.

Since I am trusting the Lord with each step on this very important side road, I am relying heavily on His strength to carry the burden. So far, His yoke has been easy, albeit, covered with tears.

My book writing began seven years ago when I began researching for my first historical fiction (“The Road to Deer Run”). Since then, I’ve published three more in the same genre, each set in the era of the American Revolution.

But nearly three years ago, I was at a Christian Writers Conference, worshipping God during the praise time, when a very real impression of God’s direction in my life took root in my heart and mind: the Lord was telling me to write a memoir of my daughter Bethany’s battle with a brain tumor. She passed away ten years ago.

Prior to this moment, I had determined in my steel heart that I would NEVER write about that painful journey. But there I was, with tears rolling down my cheeks, the Lord reassuring me in my spirit that He would give me the strength. And He has.

So now I labor to relive that worst trial in my life. And I’m praying that her story will bless others to help them glimpse a speck of light on the darkest of days.

I’m also praying that my book will help other families who are in similar circumstances, empowering them to be their loved one’s advocate. Helping family members and friends to know where they can say “no” and perhaps—even when they are unsure of their steps—to know they can say “yes” as the Lord guides them on unfamiliar terrain.

So on this temporary detour—perhaps the most important in my calling as a writer—I pray that my daughter’s memory will be honored and that her story will touch many for His glory.

I covet your prayers as I work on “Bethany’s Calendar.” And I thank you.

 

(Photo of sun peeking through the clouds courtesy of Thomas Deitner)

Thanksgiving Tips from the Deer Run Saga

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If you are blessed enough to be gathering with family and friends this Thanksgiving, you might be thinking that it’s a mixed blessing. We love our families, but they can sometimes say the wrong thing…or share an embarrassing story….or be grieving and need encouragement. So how can you handle these situations?

Perhaps Thanksgiving stories from the Deer Run Saga can give all of us a few pointers. When it came to family gatherings, the Lowe family could spark plenty of conversation!

 

Handle embarrassing moments with humor:

Children can say the most unexpected things, which can cause deep embarrassment, as well as hilarity. There was just such a moment in The Road to Deer Run when six-year-old Sarah blurts out a phrase she has heard her mother say—without understanding it might be inappropriate in front of a male guest.

Road to Deer Run, The
Book 1 in the Deer Run Saga

It was a statement by her midwife/mother that started the verbal exchange:

“Well, I am so relieved that Missus Stearns did not begin her travail before I could partake of this Thanksgiving bounty.” The midwife sat back from the table, obviously satiated. “She should be sending for me any day now.”

“The husbands come home from war,” Sarah interjected, “and nine months later they are calling for the midwife. That is what mother always says.” Sarah innocently resumed eating her cake, wiping crumbs off her blue woolen bodice.

Mary’s eyes widened with embarrassment.

Widow Thomsen glared at her young daughter and said tersely, “That is what we say in the company of females only, Miss Sarah.”

“I am sorry, Mr. Lowe.” The girl’s face reddened. “I did not realize that men did not know this was the way of it.”

Everyone stifled a laugh and Daniel nearly choked on his piece of cake, so amused was he by this exchange.

“That is quite all right, little miss. I am grateful to be informed of the ‘way of it.’ “ He stole a glance toward Mary, who was turning a bright shade of scarlet. “Your cake is delightful.”

 

It was a brilliant strategy on Daniel’s part by not allowing Sarah to be humiliated and by changing the topic to diminish Mary’s embarrassment.

 

Allow those who are grieving to share their sadness:

In The Promise of Deer Run, veteran James Thomsen, home from the Revolutionary War for several years now, is still plagued by the years away from Deer Run. He missed so many moments with his family while defending his country—moments in time lost forever. It was the sharing of a hilarious family memory that occurred while he was away at war that abruptly brought a stab of regret to James’ heart.

Promise of Deer Run, The
Book 2 in the Deer Run Saga

Sarah’s older brother suddenly stopped laughing and stared with fondness at his little sister. “I did miss a great deal of your childhood, did I not? So many years at war…” James looked sadly into the distance.

Hannah took his hand. “We all missed you so, James. We knew why you needed to be gone. And we are so proud of you.” She leaned over and kissed her husband gently.

He smiled but the joy did not reach his sad eyes. “Thank you, Hannah, but those years with all of you are gone forever. That is what I regret the most.” He took a sip of wine from his tankard and sighed.

Everyone was quiet for several moments as they recalled those somber years. It was Widow Eaton who broke the silence.

“Let us not dwell on the sad past but on our joyous and bountiful future.” She held up her tankard of wine. The others raised theirs as well.

“Hear, Hear!”

 

A hearty, “hear, hear” to Hannah for acknowledging her husband’s pain, for the group for not trying to diminish his loss, and for the widow who encouraged the group to have hope for a peaceful future and not dwell in the past.

 

 

Don’t spoil family conversation by speaking about politics:

 

Book 3 in the Deer Run Saga
Book 3 in the Deer Run Saga

In The Legacy of Deer Run, Thanksgiving dinner is filled with fine food and delightful conversation—until Susannah’s brother, Stephen, brings up politics.

“So what do you think of the election next month, Father?”

Mr. Dobbins scowled. “I think our country is in for another precarious attack upon our freedoms. With that extremist Jefferson in the running, no telling where our country is headed.”

Stephen nodded. “The newspapers are filled with attacks on President Adams—accusing him of being a monarchist, senile, vain and having an ‘ungovernable temper.’ ‘Tis getting fractious and ugly. And that beastly Burr running with Jefferson.” Stephen shook his head and took another sip of wine.

“Well, when the Electoral College meets December3, let us pray they remember Jefferson’s zealous support of the French, despite their attacking our naval vessels. I think Jefferson was in France far too long. His arrogance smacks of sedition.”

The room became very quiet.

Danny noticed Susannah had grown very pale and she rested both hands on the table. She gripped the tablecloth. Eyes narrowing, her voice trembled when she spoke.

“Do you think we will have another war, Father?”

 

What started out as the perfect Thanksgiving meal quickly morphed into a setting ripe for indigestion—and fear. The political conversation was halted by the men at the table, but it was too late to assuage Susannah’s anxiety. Words once spoken cannot be retrieved.

 

So when you gather with your family and friends this holiday, try to be sensitive to others who may be grieving, be careful to avoid distressing political talk, and by all means, keep a sense of humor if and when embarrassing moments occur. And if your family is anything like the Lowe’s, something unexpected can always happen!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations! It’s a — Book Cover!

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It’s something every author anticipates with both excitement and dread—that instant when he or she sees their book cover for the first time.

After months (or years) of crafting and drafting the words that become woven into their book, every author hopes that their cover will not just draw readers’ eyes, but perhaps be the best possible design to illustrate the inner contents.

No one wants that moment of presenting their book cover to be met with the same facial expression one might save for a parent revealing their newborn with misshapen head and bruising from a difficult birth: “Oh yes, Mrs. Cooper, your baby is—ummm—beautiful.”

New parents and authors are tender souls whose feelings should be spared. But while newborns with the imprint of a stressful delivery will recover into beautiful children, a book cover is what it is. If it’s unattractive from the start, it is forever so.

I was delighted when our marketing person at Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas said that the design team would like input from their authors for the book cover. Wow! I had a say in the matter! Ever since I had received my contract under the Christmas tree last December—well, via e-mail, actually—I’d wondered what working with this new publisher would be like.  I was heartened that they wanted to know my thoughts.

The Deer Run Saga
The Deer Run Saga

In the past I’d had complete control over my book covers for the Deer Run Saga, hiring a local artist to design the images. What started out as paintings, morphed with the magic of technology into the illustrations for my series.

Now I was with a new publisher, and I had to go with their flow. Being allowed to voice an opinion was a relief, although I knew they still had final say.

While pondering their suggestion for input, my imagination began to work overtime. What did I envision for the cover for my historical fiction set in Massachusetts? Having grown up in that state, I knew the look I wanted. I envisioned the young heroine looking alert yet lovely. It “looked” great in my mind—but how did I transfer those creative musings into an image? I needed a photo!

Right—like I was going to travel from the Midwest back to New England just for a photo shoot! It would hardly fit in with my budget or my schedule. But here is where events started to occur that helped me see that I must be receiving help from on High. Everything seemed to come together almost magically.

First of all I hoped that I could arrange for a photo shoot at the actual setting for my story. That fell through. As did another idea. Frustrated, I shared my thoughts with my husband one evening.

“I know the perfect spot,” he said. He knew an editor that had done a photo shoot at a location not too far away. It was an authentic Colonial house—built in New England in 1755—that had been moved, piece-by-piece, to the Midwest in the 1970’s.

Are you kidding me?? What were the chances?

I tracked down the location and the owner and bravely requested to use their house for a photo shoot. The gracious homeowners were more than accommodating.

Next, I needed a photographer. My husband once again came through as he told me about a professional freelance photographer that goes to our church—and often sat right behind us! I had no idea Heather was a photographer.

All that was left was to find the right model. But how do you find someone with waist-length hair who has the right look about her? I did not want a modern-looking young lady. She needed to have that aura of a Colonial American young lady—simple yet lovely.

Well, I was having trouble here—so I prayed about it. God answered my prayer as  my friend, Katie, posted a birthday photo of her granddaughter on facebook. There was the model I was looking for, her image right on my laptop.

As if God was not working overtime to help me as it was, He threw in one more gift: The same friend was a seamstress who knew how to sew period clothing. Katie and I went shopping and I purchased the material. Her creative hands sewed the Colonial American costume that her granddaughter would wear.

I was dumbfounded by these “chance” blessings. And grateful.

April was approaching and I wanted to get the photo done at the same time of year as the events in my book. The photographer and I had already made a visit to the Colonial house to plan where the shots would be photographed. As it turned out, Heather the photographer was also from the East and loved Colonial American homes. J

Soon we had a date that we could all meet at the house location.  I prayed that everything would go well. But I could never have anticipated just how much God would continue to help us bring this project together.

 

(Come back for Part 2 this Sunday, September 22, as I write about the actual photo shoot)

Featured image courtesy of Thomas Deitner