Civil War research is my bread and butter, but every now and then I run across something that throws me for a loop. Not long ago I ran across some research regarding regiments who carried furry (and sometimes feathery) companions into battle. Many troops claimed mascots, usually horses and dogs. Dogs like Sally, the mascot for the 10th Massachusetts Infantry. Sally would run the picket lines and would snarl and bark every time she spotted a gray coat. One of the best-known dog mascots was Read More
Civil War
Civil War Trivia 101
People often ask me what I like most about writing. That’s a tough question. I love helping people break free from the lies they believe about themselves. I love the creativity that blooms when dreaming up new characters and plots, wounds and dramatic twists. Being a history nerd, there’s something extra special about writing Civil War stories. I’ve discovered so many fascinating tidbits of information that have helped me see people, history, and human nature in a more robust way. Folks can be quirky, horrible, Read More
When the Holidays are Hard: The Story of Hope Behind “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”
“How inexplicably sad are all holidays.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned the melancholy words during a difficult time in not only his life, but in the entire nation’s. On July 10, 1861, mere months after the country had been launched into the turmoil of the Civil War, Henry’s wife Fanny was trimming her daughter’s curls and decided to preserve the clippings in sealing wax. While melting a bar of wax with a candle, a few drops fell unnoticed on her dress. A gust of wind blew Read More
The Civil War, Messy People and Jesus: Why I Write
With my debut book release with Tyndale scheduled for summer of 2018, this week I’ve begun the daunting task of writing another story. It’s set in one of my favorite time periods…the Civil War. This isn’t a new assignment for me. This will actually be the fourth Civil War story I’ve penned, uh, typed, but the research involved is always staggering. Always bloody and gruesome, yet filled with heroism, astounding tales of beauty and forgiveness…even humor. People like 11 year-old Grace Bedell who wrote Read More