You are my place of quiet retreat.
Psalm 119:114
Nothing quite like taking a road trip to Tennessee in October! Appalachia is truly a queen with her fall color. You just have to look down this beautiful lane to see it’s so. I love fall for many reasons, one of which is retreating to outer Nashville where my friend and fellow writer, Tamara Leigh, lives. Tam meets us on the porch when we roll past their gate and then takes us inside her beautiful home to a true oasis. Who said writing novels is done in isolation? I did:) Most of the time, anyway. But for several blessed days we feast, fellowship, and write our hearts out, together!
This year I’m starting a new novel set on the frontier of western Virginia. Here’s a peek at the storyboard I came up with, a fun visual that anchors the setting. I have my hero’s name (I think) but only know the heroine’s first so far. I’ll scour surnames of that region for just the right one. And I need to decide which river and fort they’re going to occupy. All those manly names above shall remain a mystery for now. No spoilers for you!
I have to start with an action scene, something that makes you want to turn the page. And a compelling plot and proper romance:) If you’re getting whiplash following me from the frontier to more genteel settings like Colonial Williamsburg, here we go again!
While packing for this retreat, I remembered the beautiful verse above. We don’t have to go far or anywhere at all to get away or be refreshed, not when God is our true retreat wherever we are. For that I’m immensely thankful.
~Shalom~
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A log jam?
And… this is the very Scripture I wrote down yesterday!
That log jam you mention reminds me of the riveting scene in Serena Miller’s book set in the Michigan woods The Measure of Katie Calloway. So good! Being a voracious reader you’ve probably read it:) I DO need something exciting along those lines. So appreciate you being here, Kathleen. And I love that you already were pondering that very verse!
I la-la-la-LOVE Tamara Leigh and am so excited two of my favorite authors are enjoying some quality time together which will hopefully lead to some fantastic books coming from both of you soon. Enjoy our wonderful Tennessee weather we’re having and please give hugs to Tamara from me.
Dear Amy, And I la-la-la LOVE how you say that!! Isn’t Tam amazing? The same on the page as in person! I feel spoiled. We do get a tremendous amount of work done despite all the tea and cocoa drinking and fine dining and movie watching :). Now to heft all those research books and my overnight bag to the car! Off we go. You’re with us in spirit and we need those warm thoughts to spur on these books! xoxox
So Western Virginia you say?
Ahh, West Virginia. I get it now.
Yes, it is confusing:) It seems so odd that West Virginia didn’t become a state till around the Civil War! Virginia was once very big. I hope your fall is colorful and restful though I know you are busy. Always so good to see you here, Cindy!