Interview with Elaine Marie Cooper

Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of The Road to Deer Run and The Promise of Deer Run, the first two books of the Deer Run Saga. Her website is http://DeerRunBooks.com and http://PromiseOfDeerRun.com

Published by: iUniverse; Book Three has been contracted by Sword of the Spirit Publishing, who will also publish Books One and Two when they are free of their current contracts.

Dates: 2010 and 2011

Elaine, what got you interested in the colonial time period?

Growing up in Massachusetts, I was surrounded by colonial history. My love for all things Early American was only nurtured by our trips to the Old North Bridge in Concord and Bunker Hill in Boston. My daily walk to school took me by the Jason Russell house, site of a significant battle on April 19, 1775, where eleven Patriots and two Redcoats were killed. Holes from musket balls are still visible in the parlor, cellar, and best room. Our visit to an aunt and uncle that lived near Philadelphia, took our history-loving family to the home of Betsy Ross where I became enamored of colonial pitchers and bowls. My fascination continued despite my father’s job transfer that moved our family away from New England.

 

What inspired your latest colonial work?

My latest colonial (The Promise of Deer Run) is the sequel to The Road to Deer Run. It follows the residents of a small village after the Revolutionary War, showing the impact that the war had on a young Continental veteran. The idea grew from a character in the first book that suffered nightmares from being in battles. I pursued this after-effect by showing the ramifications on a very young soldier who had left for war at age 16, and came back a changed man. History is most gripping when it sees past the dates and “facts” and helps the reader feel the heart of the people who lived through it.

Do you have a favorite colonial place you like to visit and why?

Massachusetts is still the first place that draws me to its historical landmarks. But Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia literally surrounds you with the atmosphere of Early America. Truly an awesome experience that I hope to revisit someday!

Elaine, do you have a favorite colonial recipe you enjoy?  

I am not a great cook! I am afraid I will have to pass this time!

If you care to say, you can tell readers where you live and what colonial places you have in your state or your home state if different.

Since I now live in the midwest, Colonial places are few and far between. Although, Living History Farms in Urbandale, Iowa does have a village of the Ioway Indians showing life in the 18^th century of Iowa, before the white settlers arrived.

In Massachusetts, there are so many historical sites to see from colonial times. But no visit to view our early history would be complete without touring The Freedom Trail which takes you right through the modern streets of Boston where there are numerous landmarks to describe the events of the 1700’s. It starts at the Boston Common, and includes such sites as the Boston Massacre, Faneuil Hall, Old North Church, Paul Revere house, and Bunker Hill, just to name a few. Well worth the tour.

Giveaway:  A copy of The Promise of Deer Run, my latest colonial, will go to one lucky reader.