Topic: How did you come up with this idea and your research?
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In The Misremembered Lighthouse, historian and author Hayley Hunter rents a lighthouse converted into a rental property near the North Carolina coast. She uses it as a base to research her next book and continue her genealogy work, only to discover that the original lighthouse keeper, a Scottish immigrant named Jonathan Corbyn, haunts it.
The lighthouse was inspired by the Ocracoke Light Station, which was only in use for less than twenty years due to shifting channels, and by the Wicklow Head Lighthouse in Ireland, which has been turned into a holiday rental. I loved its round rooms, natural lighting, spiraling staircases, and views of the water, skies, and seabirds. I combined the two to create the Corbyn Lighthouse near Wilmington, North Carolina, which is named for its only keeper, Jonathan Corbyn.
I am intrigued by the Scots who migrated to North Carolina after the Battle of Culloden in Scotland, only
to be called up to fight for the British during the American Revolutionary War. My research included how the Scots were mobilized at Cross Creek before marching east to engage the Patriots at the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge, now the site of Moore’s Creek National Battlefield near Currie. The British planned to move inland from Wilmington to create a pincer movement to ensnare the patriots between the two flanks. In The Misremembered Lighthouse, Jonathan discovers that his lighthouse is strategically located to either assist or deter the British.
There is a sinister crossroads near the lighthouse, which was inspired by Dundarrach, North Carolina, established by Scottish immigrants. A general store owned by a man and his son at the crossroads plays a pivotal role in the suspense.
I love ghost stories, and they are plentiful in southeastern North Carolina. I used the legend of the Maco Ghost in the story, as well as Revolutionary War ghosts reported to have been seen near the battle site.
I have also been impressed with the custom of local Native American tribes assisting runaway slaves. I added a subplot in which the lighthouse keeper transports a runaway slave to a local tribe, aiding him in his efforts to escape slavery.
In The Misremembered Lighthouse, Hayley becomes increasingly obsessed with finding out why Jonathan’s spirit lingers between realms. Her search takes her into a world of spies, double agents, and espionage at the dawn of American democracy. It also highlights the uncertainty of the times, whether America could succeed as an independent country, and the fragility of the democratic experiment.
About the author
My full name is Patricia McClelland Terrell, and I have been writing under the pen name p.m.terrell ever since a publisher presented me with my first fiction book cover. The graphic designer had also entered my name in lower-case letters; my editor hated it, and I loved it. It’s been p.m.terrell ever since.
I began writing when I was nine years old, inspired by a schoolteacher and elementary school principal. Scott-Foresman published my first book, a computer instructional for universities, in 1984. Scott-Foresman, Dow-Jones (Richard D. Irwin branch), Palari Publishing, Paralee Press, and Drake Valley Press have published 26 books to date.
Before embarking on a full-time writing career, I founded McClelland Enterprises, Inc. in the Washington, D.C. area in 1984, specializing in computer instruction for employees in the workplace. I opened another business, Continental Software Development Corporation, in 1994, which focused on custom application development, programming, website design and development, and computer crime.
I was honored to be the first female President of the Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers. I also served as the Treasurer for the Virginia Crime Stoppers Association. Since moving to North Carolina, I served on the Robeson County Friends of the Library and Robeson County Arts Council.
I launched The Book ‘Em Foundation with Waynesboro, Virginia Police Officer Mark Kearney, and assisted in Virginia, New Hampshire, and South Carolina events before establishing the Annual Book ‘Em North Carolina Writers Conference and Book Fair, chairing it for several years before turning it over to Robeson Community College in Lumberton, NC.
Links:
Website: https://pmterrell.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pmterrell.author/
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-misremembered-lighthouse/id6749962807
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-misremembered-lighthouse-pm-terrell/1148042055
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM4D9YTB
All other eBook formats: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1832068
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