When I’m out and about talking about books, people always ask me where the story came from, how much is true, where did the idea begin?
It’s different with every book – that’s what keeps the process fascinating, I think. A book is a little like a pregnancy. You never know how the genetics will mix. No matter how many babies you have, each one is a unique individual with unique DNA.
Wildwood Creek has the DNA of folk legend, historical fact, and wild flight of fancy – how’s that for a combination? The idea for a part-contemporary-part-historical story began spinning itself in my head after ghost towns rose from local lakes during a summer drought. Aside from that, there was a chance encounter with a fascinating roadside monument. I’d tell you about the monument, but… well… that would spoil the story.  Suffice to say that it commemorates a sad and much-debated chapter of Civil War history in Texas. Many people outside Texas aren’t even aware that the state was part of the Confederacy, or that the issue was hotly debated among Texans as the conflict heated up to the east.
I have always been a lover of history, and having grown up in the era of sweeping western movies, I’m especially fond of the history of the American frontier. I’m a sucker for roadside monuments, Small-town museums, the foundations of old homesteads, historical markers, and old graveyards. Standing over the time-worn headstones of child graves — sometimes several in the same family — I’ve often felt the connection to the human side of the past, to the mothers of those children, whose grief at times must have been overwhelming. It’s impossible not to wonder, from the safer vantage point of a modern life, if I could have endured what those pioneer women endured? If I were in the shoes of my ancestors, would I have the metal to survive?
That sense of wondering is part of Wildwood Creek. A 150 year old mystery lies hidden beneath Moses Lake in the story. Though the locals have long shared tall tales and legends of Wildwood, a town in which the citizenry suddenly vanished near the beginning of the war, no one knows what really happened. But as modern-day girl, Allie Kirkland, accepts a position among the cast of a docudrama film reenacting the last days of Wildwood, a summer drought (yes, like the one we had as I was writing the book) is closing in and the secrets of Wildwood are about to rise to the surface.
After the idea comes the research, of course…
The research for Wildwood Creek was both fascinating and challenging. Because there is an ongoing modern story interlaced with an ongoing historical story, both contemporary and historical research were required. Putting the novel together necessitated everything from learning about how frontier reenactment docudramas — like the PBS Frontier House series — might be filmed and staffed, to learning what the actual frontier life of the young Irish schoolteacher, Bonnie Rose, might have been like during the Civil War era in Texas. A fair bit of study on available means of transportation, clothing, cooking methods, and Texas politics of the time period was also necessary. I’m not complaining, mind you.  I found more fascinating facts about skirmishes, Civil War espionage, riverboats, Irish immigrants, and general frontier life than I could possibly use.  So often while I was writing of Allie’s life on the reenactment set, or Bonnie’s life in the town of Wildwood, I lost myself in their lives.  The best stories are the ones that completely transport you to another place, another time, another life.
My favorite stories are the ones that completely transport me. And speaking of total transportation…
Because the book is set on a lake, I was forced to take my lawn chair and my inner tube and suffer through numerous days of sitting by the water, watching flocks of egrets fly over and letting the wind blow through my hair. It was tough duty, but I am hopelessly devoted to my art and willing to endure whatever it takes to get the setting, and the culture surrounding it, exactly right. It’s a lot to ask of a writer, but I’ll put in my time, no matter how long I have to listen to the waves gently lapping at the shore and watch happy families coming and going from the picnic grounds. Did I mention that I’m hopelessly devoted to my art?
Thanks, Kate for inviting me to visit your little cyber spot today, and thank you, readers for stopping by. May many more stories bring us together in the future!
Lisa
About Lisa Wingate
Lisa Wingate is a journalist, inspirational speaker, reviewer for the New York Journal of Books, and the author of over twenty novels. Her novels combine elements of history, romance, mystery, and women’s fiction with nuggets of Southern culture, from the sublime to the humorous. She is a seven-time American Christian Fiction Writers Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a Christianity Today Book Award nominee, an Inspy Award nominee, and a two-time Carol Award winner. Her works have been selected for Booklist’s Top Ten List in 2012 and in 2013. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life. Visit Lisa at her website: www.LisaWingate.com
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Leave a comment for a chance to get a copy of Wildwood Creek. A winner will be picked in one week, US only please.
I haven’t read Lisa before. Winning this book would be a good introduction!
Wishing you the luck of the Irish, since it’s St. Patrick’s Day week 🙂
Love Lisa’s books!
Hugs! Good to see you here, Shawn 🙂
Love the looks…makes me want to just snuggle down and read, read, read! 🙂
Thanks for a great post. Always fun to see and hear about authors and their writings. Great job!
Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by, and Kate thank you for having me!!
Thanks so much for Lisa’s guest blog and the chance to win her book!!
I love your books! Always nice to get a bit of behind the scenes.
Thank you!
I am very anxious to read Wildwood Creek, it looks like one that I would like. I don’t think I’ve ever read any Lisa Wingate books and I always enjoy finding new (to me) authors.
I have to amend my previous comment. I have read one of Lisa’s stories and I truly enjoyed it. I read The Seaglass Sisters.
Awww… I’m glad you enjoyed the story of Sandy’s Seashell Shop!
Have never had the pleasure of reading any of her books. Winning one would give me a good start.
Never had the pleasure of reading her books. Hopefully I will win copy! Thank you
I have had the pleasure of reading all of Lisa’s books. Just finished Wildwood Creek. Lisa is a very talented writer. She has away of drawing the reader in. You won’t want to put the books down. I love how she combines history with current times. They play off each other so beautifully. And she throughs in a mystery, romance, and comedy too. Enjoy!
Hi Jennifer! Thank you for the recommendation of Wildwood Creek. I take that as a high compliment!
I would be honored to win this book.
Would love to win, thanks for the opportunity. Love reading about Lisa & her thoughts as she wrote Wildwood Creek. Must have been tough research sitting by the lake enjoying the scenery and nature’s bounty! Linda
It was tough… it was so, so tough 😉
Lisa, you’re one of my favorite authors. I’m presently reading one of your older works, Beyond Summer. I can tell you do lots of research–and that you take time with each character, developing their unique personalities. I find myself caught up in their lives, wanting to know what will happen to them. In Beyond Summer–my favorite female is Sesay. As a writer, I’m studying your technique as I read. What I appreciate is how you make your characters likeable even though their situations are untenable and they often are in conflict with those around them. I look forward to reading your latest work.
Thank you, Judy. It’s wonderful to hear that from another writer. Sesay was my favorite character in Beyond Summer, too. I could’ve written a whole book just about her.
I would love to win one of your books.
New author to me. Would love to win and read this book. Thank you for the chance.
I have read all Lisa’s books. My favorite author!
Gail how incredibly sweet. Joy 😉
I love her books and would be so grateful to win this one. TY
What an awesome day on Kate’s cyber porch. Lucy, sending you a long-distance hug!
Oh, I love Lisa’s books and have been waiting to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win it.
Hi Laurie! Thank you 😉
Oh heavens could I get lucky enough to win a signed copy? I love the authors works, but a signed copy would definitely be something to cherish!
Hugs! Signing books is fun for the author too 😉
Love Lisa and her books – such wonderful story lines!! Thanks for the post Lisa and Kate, and thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of “Wildwood Creek”!!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Bonnie! Great to see you here and thank you for the sweet comment about the books. It’s such a joy when others give these stories good homes.
I would love to win this book! Sounds like a good one! I have several of Lisa’s books but would love to have this newest one!!
Thank you, Brenda!
Lisa, I appreciate the sweet spirit you bring to life and your writing. As a lover of history, I can’t wait to read your latest book. ~ Kathleen
Thank you, Kathleen! It’s a joy to share stories with others who love history 😉
It was fun reading the blog. I finished reading Wildwood Creek just this afternoon. I really enjoyed it (but then I have really enjoyed all your books!
LIsa, your books definitely reflect the great amount of research you do for each book! I’ve read many of your books and thoroughly enjoy them! Great post!
It sounds like a great book and I can’t wait to read it!
I enjoyed The Prayer Box and have Wildwood Creek on my TBR list! Thanks for this opportunity!
Looks like a good book to read! Thanks for the opportunity. 🙂
I would love tor read this book. I liked reading that Lisa sat by the lake for writing inspiration for this book.
Thank you , Lisa Wingate, for being my guest! And thanks to all who left a comment!