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Monday, December 19, 2011

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 18th 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.

14 comments:

  1. Welcome, Elaine! It is so nice to hear all about you and your love for the colonial period. I am a kindred spirit with your adoration of Massachusetts history, having grown up near Boston and Plymouth.

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  2. Merry Christmas, nice to meet a new author, new to me, I like the sounds of your books and will look for them. I lived in Savannah Ga for many years and there is definately colonial history there. It is a beautiful city laid out in squares in the downtown area, come visit if you have never been here as I am sure you will get a story.
    thanks for sharing today
    Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)

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    1. Paula, I am super late on this but you are the WINNER of Elaine's giveaway! I will email you! Blessings!

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    2. Carrie they always say better late then never, glad to be a winner
      thanks
      Paula O

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  3. Thank you, Carla! Yes, there is a sentimental (and familial) place in my heart for Boston and Pymouth as well. I am descended from John Alden and Priscilla Mullins so it is such fun to visit the Plantation there and see how my ancestors lived. And Paula, thank you so much! I have never been to Savannah but I have visited Atlanta and Charleston. I need to put your fair city on my research agenda! It sounds lovely and definately novel-inspiring! Thanks for visiting and I hope you enjoy my books.

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  4. Merry Christmas, Elaine! I enjoyed this article, but most of all, I enjoy being your friend. May you and your series have oceans of success in the coming new year.

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  5. Lovely interview :) I recently won Ms. Cooper's books and am looking forward to reaing them :)

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  6. Thanks, Elaine, for the interview! And congrats to FAYE! We hope you will enjoy Elaine's colonial fiction books! :)

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  7. ShaRon, thanks for coming by! The friendship feeling is mutual. :-) And Faye, I have your books all packaged and ready to mail in the morning. I hope you are blessed by them! Thanks again for the interview, Carrie. And it was very gracious of ALL you ladies not to mention that I misspelled "Plymouth!" LOL!

    MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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  8. It's wonderful to see Elaine here and learn more about her and her wonderful books! I think CW is one of my favorite historical spots, too. "Surround" is certainly the right word for Early American life/history there. Old Sturbridge Village in MA is a site I've loved since I was a child. My first story was set there. So happy you're here on CQ, Elaine!! Bless you and your writing endeavors!

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  9. Thank you, Laura, for such a kind welcome! I am so enjoying getting to know all the members of CQ and becoming acquainted with new readers. I LOVE it that so many share my passion for Early America! I feel so at home. And Laura, I am looking forward to reading your first two novels, especially the one set in Sturbridge!

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  10. Susan Craft said...

    What a nice interview, Elaine. Your books sound intriguing, and the style of the art on the covers is unique and appealing. I've never visited Boston, but would love to. Charleston, SC, where my novels take place, is a fabulous place to visit for colonial "vibes." It's about a 2-hour drive from me, so my husband and I visit often for me to "breathe it in."

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  11. I hope to read your books soon, Elaine. I'd spotted them even before you joined our CQ gang. I'm so glad you did!

    It is hard living further west than the settings we write about, but like you I spent quite a number of years (the first 24 or 25 of my life) living on the eastern seaboard, soaking up the feel of the landscape, at the very least, and visiting many of the places I would one day write about. Lots of memories to draw on. And it makes the chances I do get to visit the old Thirteen States even more precious.

    Great interview!

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  12. Thank you, Lori! You can take the girl out of the eastern seaboard but you can't take the eastern seaboard out of the girl! I always feel right at home when I visit there and I am sure that you do as well. I even slowly slip back into my Boston accent a bit—it's an easy transition! And yes, those visits "home" are precious indeed. Thank you for your very kind welcome and I look forward to getting to know you better!

    Merry Christmas!

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