Someone is Wondering Why He Don’t Write by David Wright
I’ve been sitting by the fire these winter days finishing up a book due out September 2015, awaiting galleys for Love’s Fortune, and wrapping my head and heart around a new frontier story set in Kentucky in 1773. This was Kentucky at its wildest and wooliest so to speak, a place and setting I feel very much at home. If you’ve read my frontier novels like The Frontiersman’s Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, and The Colonel’s Lady you’ll understand my hankering to return to those woods.
Recently I came across this painting and was swept off my feet. I think the Lord provides us with needed inspiration at just the right times and this was one of them. I’m smiling at the painting’s title of my overmountain man and wanted to share him with you here. I’ve given him a heroic name and can hardly wait to lose myself in the woods and rivers of his story.
And then I hope/pray to share it with you!
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I’ve a hankering to return to those woods as well. It’s funny but Morrow, Roxanna and Lael’s story stay the same every single time I visit them! I always know when I need a “Kentucky Woods” fix, I start wondering what Lael and Morrow are up to.
This painting is amazing. I’m thinking you would quite enjoy it hanging over your fine fire.
Ps…stalking your blog for a glimpse of Wren.
Cindy! So happy you’re in stalking mode ;). Your hunt is almost over. Wren should appear by week’s end and I hope you’re among the first to see her – and that you like Brandon’s newest work! Can’t wait to hear your impressions…
Yes, this painting is amazing. Thanks for enjoying it along with me. It’s a recent work by this artist and the original sold for over $11,ooo dollars! Certainly out of my price range but there are some smaller prints that might be quite fine hanging over the fire :). He looks like he might be cold – and take a gander at those big hands of his! So much find detail. He’s a keeper.
I hope you and your littles are snug there and having some sunshine your way!
I am thrilled that you want to return to your roots! I love everything you have written, but Courting Morrow Little was what made me fall in love with your writing, so I have a special place in my heart for your frontier stuff!
Blessing to you, dear Laura!
Emma, Love that you loved Morrow’s story – I just heard from another reader about her this morning who’d just finished the story. It feels so long ago that I wrote it so it’s a joy to hear you talk about her here and know she’s not forgotten but still circulating. Glad you’re glad for a return to the frontier. Can’t wait to go home, so to speak! Blessings on your day, too, Miss Emma!
Hi, Laura!
I LOVE the painting – such a pensive look on his face, brings numerous imaginative pictures of the past to my mind!! I smiled at the title – also!! Can’t wait to see how you use this to inspire another novel of my home state – Kentucky!! SO looking forward to it!!
Blessings on your writing, Laura!!
Bonnie, I treasure your comments. Pensive is the perfect word ~ and one of my favorites! You’ll find it often in my books!
When I saw him I was smitten and felt he belonged in those Kentucky woods. He’s a Kentucky longhunter if there ever was one :). I hope the name I’ve given him does him justice! Can’t wait to share more of his story with you…
Thanks so much for being here and for your unfailing support. You inspire me to write on :).
He looks as if he has a fabulous story to tell! Can’t wait!
Well said, Anne – he does look like he has a story to tell. And the title just cracks me up – I’ve heard this expression growing up in KY so it was a laugh out loud moment when I read it :).
Prayers with you as we count down till release day together – again :)!
And you WILL be visiting Kentucky to do additional research, right? Right?!?
GIN!! When I posted this I thought, “I hope Gin sees this for this is a fine Kentucky man if there ever was one.” 🙂 YES, I am coming home. Randy and I are planning a road trip cross-country (Lord willing) next spring where we drive from here to KY and then on to VA. Wish it was THIS spring but next spring sounds heavenly to me. Counting down already! Miss Berea something fierce! Our old house is still there, hasn’t sold, and I’m tempted to just move right in on Haiti again.
Hope you and your hero are doing well there. I think of you often! Thanks so much for keeping up with me. 🙂
Ah, GOOD!!! This means I’ll get to meet Randy and maybe the kids, too? I’ll be looking forward to next spring. (Actually, I’ll be looking forward to THIS spring…if it ever comes. Miserable winter here. Your folks should be glad they moved.)
Yes, you’ll meet Randy! I’m afraid the boys are staying home as they can’t miss school for 3 weeks. But oh, bliss when it comes to seeing you and Berea again! I do believe you’ve had a record bad winter. We’ve had a record mild if strange one. In January at the top of Mt. Rainier it was 70 degrees at one point. We are still shaking our heads. But we have snow on the ground right now – and March is 3 days away :)!
And I will be line to meet you next spring also, dear Laura!! If you don’t pass through the Louisville area – Berea road trip, here I come (LOL)!! SO looking forward to it!! Hugs!!
Bonnie, We’ll plan on meeting. I cannot wait! Hugging you in person would be like dessert :).
Ahhhh, Laura, I’m sitting here getting so excited reading your words! How I love these KY novels and the characters so much. And this new hero is sooooo ruggedly handsome! I just wish we didn’t have to wait so long from book to book (sigh), but such is life.
And, I just can hardly wait for the unveiling of Love’s Fortune cover!! 🙂
Hope you are having a good week, my friend!
Georgianne, SO happy you like this rugged hero :). He is quite handsome, yes, and his face tells quite a story. I do agree with you about timing and waiting for books. Wish we could turn out a book a month! Wouldn’t that be bliss :). There are SO many books out there now my head is spinning. This spring is crammed full of historicals. I’m going to host one for a friend in mid-March here and can’t wait for the giveaway. Soon!
Your wait for Wren is almost over and I so hope you enjoy her cover. I’ll post as soon as you or someone else find it and tell me about it. The author is often the last to know! Thanks for sharing the excitement with me. You’re such a gem!
Ya know, I don’t think I gave permission for my husband’s portrait to be used, Mizz Frantz.
Do I know his heroic name? Just can’t remember if I’ve heard it before…Stud McMuffin? Muff McStudly? Hawt Totrot? Something like that…something that fits a man who’s about 6’4.
I am SURE it’ll be as gorgeous as the rest.
I’m looking forward to Wren’s cover.
Jennifer, Ah, at last, your comic presence is so appreciated! Your hubby must be a keeper! I have you to thank for coming up with my hero’s name for this Virginia book due out after Wren’s story – Mister SMO, if you recall ;). I’m still in awe of your quick wittedness with names. Though I do believe I have nailed this mountain man’s down! And no, it’s not Studley or Hawt, lol…but it could be!
Hope you like Wren when she appears. There’s bound to be some out there who WON’T! Am already dreaming of this overmountain man’s cover. I do think more heroes should be front and center with cover art for a change and those ladies in big dresses can bow out!
I was being all subtle like about the name. I didn’t want to presume you kept SMO. But I’m glad you did!!
Someday, SOME DAY, I’m hoping to have a man on the cover of my book. Not just a man, but, a MAN.
Jennifer, Yes, so understand about THE MAN. I thought of you while on this artist’s, David Wright’s site, because he has done Magua in living color over there. Wonder if he has a hero tailor-made for you amidst his frontier paintings? You might go have a look… 🙂
Hope you’re watching your mailbox!
And yes, I’ve been spending time with SMO today and am on page 50-something editing his story which is coming in overbudget at 103k. Must. Trim. Ouch.
TOO bad you can’t use a print of this painting as your novel cover, Laura!! I agree with everyone else – he sure is a looker (LOL), and not only big hands – but big broad shoulders, and expansive chest, on which to rest one’s head, also … sigh (LOL)!!
Bonnie, You appreciate all the little artistic details like I do :). I just noticed he is quite suntanned and looks in need of a bath, lol. And that glorious black hair needs a combing… Hummph! My heroine is already itching to help him out…
Love the word ‘expansive’ – thank you. That belongs in a book! Sighing right along with you, my kind friend!!
My goodness! If this is what is hanging out in the woods, I’m ready to get lost in them as well :-). Can’t wait to hear his story.
LOL, dear Amy! I’m ready to get lost right in those woods right along with you ;). Can’t wait to share more of this project with you. Only project sounds too much like work! This story will be more play, or so I hope. Have a wonderful day where you are!
Thankful for the storyline direction the Lord is leading you.
Mary, So glad to see you again as we dig out from winter! I am so thankful, too, to return to what I love best. The Lord is so good at giving us needed inspiration at the right time. Just this morning I found more research books that I’ve been needing/wanting and am overjoyed with that, too.
Thanks so much for being here!
Oh, Laura. I love this dear mountain man, as well. He’s pinned affectionately to my Art board on Pinterest. 🙂 I so loved TCL and CML (I still haven’t got to TFD), so this is quite the tease. 🙂
Blessings,
Whitney
Whitney, I thought of you when I first saw this and was going to send you a pin of him. But savvy as you are, you beat me to it :). Love that “pinned affectionately” – yep, that’ll do. And don’t worry about TFD. It’s out there and always will be now, I guess. I hope you are working on your own story and it’s going swimmingly!
What a painting and so detailed! Love his ruggedness and am eager to read what you come up with next.
Blessings
Janella! So happy to see you and get your thumbs up for my new hero here. I just wish I could have painted him myself! But will have to settle for word pictures, I guess. You’re a gem for checking in. Blessings on you, too!
He definitely looks like he has a story to tell! And I can’t wait to read it!! No one does the Frontier like you do. Courting Morrow Little is still one of my favorite books out of the hundreds I’ve read! Red Shirt will always be one of my favorite heroes of all time!
I about jumped out of my chair when you said Wren’s cover will be revealed by week’s end! Now I can stop being a cyber stalker lol!
Hope you are well! The Lord bless you today Laura!
Eva, So thankful for you, your thumbs up on this new hero, and your stalking of Wren, lol ;). She is due any minute actually and I believe she often appears in the night which is your day! You’ve been first to see her in the past, thanks to the time change! Here’s hoping you love this new cover! Here’s hoping I’m not away when it goes live and am late to respond or post it here. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts…
It means so much that Morrow has a special place in your heart. Red Shirt was quite elusive and a wee bit mysterious since I only used Morrow’s point of view in the book. But maybe that added to his charm?! I pray/hope this new overmountain man wins you over, too.
Stay snug with your wee ones – your baby is growing so fast – and what a keeper she is :)! But they all are! Bless you, too.
Swoon worthy for sure, Laura! 😉 I knew there was a story in this picture for you the moment I saw it!! Love you!
Carla, Leave it to you to lead me right to HIM :). A true gift, my friend. BTW, I just saw your name pop up on the web under bestselling books for December. I usually don’t look at those lists but seeing you there sure made me smile. Well deserved, every bit! My heart is singing for you. Love you, too!!
A new story set in Kentucky in the 1770’s, oh you do not know how much that warms my heart Laura. CANNOT wait. 🙂
And he definitely looks like a very interesting character. Cannot wait to hear more when you are able to share it my friend. 🙂
Hope all is well for you. Saw a robin in the yard today, definitely a sign of spring!!! This winter cannot end soon enough for me.
Michelle, So happy to see you – I have a feeling you’re in post Olympic recovery! I wasn’t able to watch nearly as many events as I wanted but thought of you each time I saw those beautiful skaters. I think that should happen every year instead of every 4 :).
So glad you’re ready for another Kentucky story. Me, too. Thanks for the confirmation. Very odd leaving 1850’s Pittsburgh and casting back in time to 1784 Virginia and THEN 1773 Kaintuck. But better late than never!
Yes, winter is nearly over and it’s been a hard one for you all back home. I was thrilled to hear from relatives you’ve had a warm spell. We just had snow! Enjoy that sun for me :).
This made me so excited!!!! You know how much I love those Kentucky books! Can’t wait to meet this hero, but I don’t know if he can beat Red Shirt. 😉
Julie! JOY over having you here and knowing you’re ready for another KY story :). So appreciate all the CML/Red Shirt love. I keep getting mail on that book and it always makes me smile. On the other hand, he’s hard for me to top! I’ll have to do a lot of praying and thinking about this woodsman. So thankful you’re coming along with me for this one.
Hope you and your twins and little man (and big one) are all well and ready for spring!
Can’t wait to read Love’s Fortune and the one comeing out in 2015. But this new Kentucky frontier story has me intrigued. I can’t wait to read it and travel back to frontier Kentucky.
P.S.
the Hero looks great.
Carissa, So happy you’re on board with me for these next books :). Kentucky readers like you mean so much. Glad you like the look of this frontiersman! Somehow I am swayed toward dark haired heroes. Poor Jack Turlock is the only lightheaded boy in the bunch! I can’t wait for you to meet Wren and cast next. Cover coming any minute!
Ooooo…Laura! LOVE this painting! I’m intrigued. Wonder what he’s thinking. Excited about your returning to the ‘Kentucke’ Frontier, but equally excited for the final book of my beloved Ballantynes. 😉 I’ve been keeping my eyes open for that new cover. Can’t wait to see it! Have a great day, dear Laura! 🙂
Angi, SO happy you’re here – and equally thrilled you like this new hero of mine. He looks like something out of your kind of history :). Kentucke, aye! YES, that cover is proving a bit elusive. Just heard from marketing this morning that all the covers and info have been sent to retail sites so it’s a green light yet still a mystery as to who posts first. You’re so good at spotting these. I hope I’m here and handy when you do!
Can you believe March is day after tomorrow? I hope your snow is melted and those birds are singing again :). Bless you right back!
Yes, he does look like a hero that I would swoon over, especially if one of your stories was behind the photo. 😉 Oh my! I’m chuckling about the snow being melted. We still have snow on the ground and now have three…yes I said THREE…storm systems coming through between tonight and Monday. Needless to say, it sounds like we will have some measurable snow out of it, yet again. I believe I’m ready for spring! 😉
Angi, Prayers with you as you weather yet ANOTHER snowy bout of weather! We’re expecting cold temps again ourselves. But tomorrow is March – yay! 🙂
Laura! When I read the words “…a new frontier story set in Kentucky in 1773,” I nearly lost a pulse! Tell me 2015 is here already. The painting is begging me to ask if it’s time to preorder the novel yet…
Happy writing!
🙂
So appreciate your enthusiasm, dear Jan :). I cannot wait to begin his story! Bits of dialogue and scenes keep coming to me so I’m busy filling a little notebook in spare moments. Thankfully the synopsis/plot is pretty well worked out though there are always surprises and detours along the way. Happy writing to you, too!!