It's not too soon to start thinking about it. Actually I have been thinking about it for a couple of months already, just look back through the blog for the Cherokee and slavery related books I have read and the trip to North Georgia and Nashville that Laurie and I did for research.
The problem at this point is that I am not all that crazy about the type of novel I am contemplating: a historical novel set in the period around the Cherokee removal, or earlier on the Georgia frontier, including as characters African slaves, Cherokees and Creeks, and white settlers.
After reading "The Killer Angels" I am sure it has to be a focused novel, like a searchlight on some small fact or incident. I had hoped to use the Tsali encounter. Recent research has convinced me that it is not the "Nathan Hale" type moment that the Cherokee have traditionally portrayed. Tsali was not a willing martyr, giving up his life to save the eastern band of the Cherokee from removal. The Eastern band already had permission to stay. They led the hunt to capture Tsali. The Cherokee did not really think of themselves as a "nation", but as city-states, or towns. Allegiance was to clan, not nation. Tsali was on the edge of the towns that were being left in NC, he didn't get the protection of Will Thomas. Anyway, it is a very confused incident, difficult to portray. I am certain any portrayal I do will be disappointing to the Cherokee, and for that reason too I am reluctant.
I have other historical novel ideas: the old Negro Fort, the adopted Creek son of Andrew Jackson, the battle of Horseshoe Bend, the practice of slavery by the Cherokees, the Moravian missionaries among the Cherokees and their acceptance of slavery. It's tough to pick one.
It requires more thought. I have already done a lot of research along these lines, but if something that really inspires me comes along I will not hesitate to abandon the work at a moment's notice.
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