The newest “PEOPLE” book is tentatively titled, PEOPLE OF THE MORNING STAR, and will be a political thriller set in Cahokia in the late 1100s. Since we wrote PEOPLE OF THE RIVER twenty-three years ago, a whole world of research has been done on Cahokia. The books resemble reality. PEOPLE OF THE RIVER is like what the archaeologists call “Old Cahokia” the large and prosperous village that was completely covered over to create ‘New Cahokia” the urban center that would be the nucleus for a city at, in the 1100s was even larger than London or Paris. When we wrote RIVER we went way out on a limb and refered to Cahokia as a “state.” The Cahokia we’re writing about in MORNING STAR is imperial, reflecting a city-state that not only drew in tens of thousands of immigrants, but established far-flung colonies, imposed its will, and dominated its enemies. The peasant class was not only compelled to labor for the state, but tendered all of their excess crop production for the state. In so many ways the parallels with Rome are remarkable. Both started as unremarkable villages that grew into empires that changed their continents.
Now we’re at the that exciting point, doing the research, compiling lists of characters, setting the stage. Today, dear friends, we will write that first page!
Each time we sit at the computer and look down on the screen, there’s a sense of incredible anticipation. And then you type that first word with a sense of inevitableness. With that one word, you’ve just begun a journey leading you…you know not where…
6 thoughts on “STARTING A NEW NOVEL”
April 13, 2012 at 1:33 pm
I am so excited to read yet another of your books. I think I have read nearly all of them. I cannot even pick a favorite, I love them all so much.
Are you ever going to be in the Colorado Springs area for any book signings. I would love to meet you both. You are my favorite writers. My adult children are 1/2 Yuchi and there are so few people who even know anything about their tribe that we all just love “people of the Weeping Eye” and “People of the Thunder”. As my daughter says, “this is our story”. I must say, I think my daughter is a “contrary” She truly goes through life backwards, is very spiritual and I believe she is a seer. She has never gotten to spend much time around her people, but because of what you have written,, we are hoping to go visit places like Cahokia and Moundville.
You are also their favorite authors. As well as my fathers, heck our whole family shares your books. Please keep writing we love you
May 9, 2012 at 6:00 am
I’m reading your “people” series right now and absolutely love the books! I looked you up though to let you know that there is one phrase that is used frequently throughout the books wrong! The phrase should be “couldn’t have cared less” not “could have cared less”. I realize that it is your editors job to find and correct mistakes like this but obviously they are not aware that this is like the number one phrase people muck up! I realize this may be petty so I apologize but I’ve gotten tired of marking the mistake in my books so I thought you guys might actually appreciate knowing that it is wrong!
Sincerely,
Beth Holmes
May 9, 2012 at 8:03 am
Dear Beth:
The great thing about writing is that you will never become an expert. And even if you did, language is a constantly evolving, almost living being. It keeps changing out from under us. We’ll make note, and see if we can reprogram our brains. The problem, as you are no doubt fully aware, is that when the characters are spinning the story for you, your brain goes on autopilot and simply records what they’re saying and doing. Generally we go back and turn that recording into English. (Which is where we fix “towards” to “toward” a lot!) A copy of Fowler resides by both of our writing spots, and for some reason or another, doesn’t get used nearly enough.
Be well.
May 9, 2012 at 8:15 am
Dear Donna: Thanks so much for the feedback. Don’t know when we’ll ever be in the Springs again for an event. With the constant restriction of American publishing and the declining popularity of fiction authors in the media, we don’t do much traveling for book promotions. Even the bookstores are slowly vanishing. We’re delighted that we could bring the Yuchi to life for you and your family. Check out the bibliography for the early ethnographic work which should provide more information on Yuchi history and culture. And yes, we urge you to go see Moundville, Shiloh, Cahokia, Winterville, Etowah and all the rest of the great Mississippian and Hopewellian sites. Poverty Point, too, will dazzle you. Unlike European historical sites, though, you have to imagine the buildings, palisades, temples, and Spirit Poles since we don’t reconstruct them. Also, we’re doing another Cahokia book, updated, with all the new information. It should be out sometime in fall of 2013. Also, if you’d like to share with others who find the same delight in the books as you do, we’d love to see you on the fan club.
May 12, 2012 at 6:20 am
I have read all the People books and the 3 BlackShell/Pearl Hand books. I have never been interested in history but find these books extremely interesting, so much in fact that I am now very sad I have nothing to read. Your style of writing puts the reader back in time with visions of a land and people we will never experience. Thankyou for your wonderful books.
May 15, 2012 at 5:45 am
Dear Sharon: Thanks for your kind words. Without people like you to read them, we couldn’t continue to write. You might take a look at some of the other historical novels that we’ve written like SAND IN THE WIND, THIS WIDOWED LAND, LONG RIDE HOME, MORNING RIVER and some of the others. All told, we’ve got 53 novels out there. Perhaps Kathleen’s “IN ME” series would work for you? If we can be of any additional help, let us know.