What’s my Story Inspiration for FOLLOWING FAITH? A story where a man named Eagle Feather follows a woman named Faith in order to keep her safe? But she ends up saving him as much as he saves her?

Inspiration is everywhere. Keep reading to see how a horse and a favorite childhood book inspired Following Faith…

FOLLOWING FAITH – STORY INSPIRATION PAGE 

Following Faith came to life after I was asked to write a short story for the historical romance anthology Journey of the Heart featuring forms of Old West transportation.

I’d always planned to give Hannah’s brother, Eagle Feather (first seen in Between Heaven & Hell) his own story. Oregon became the setting since that was where Hannah had settled, and I wanted his path to reconnect with Hannah’s.

Next came the decision of what transportation to use. Train, boat, stagecoach, wagon, or just plain old horseback—which I never find plain when every horse is unique. A childhood memory of a very unique horse and a much-loved book sprang to mind.

San Domingo, the Medicine Hat Stallion first published in 1972 by Marguerite Henry (with illustrations by Robert Lougheed) was re-published as Peter Lundy and the Medicine Hat Stallion in 1972 (when it became a TV movie). Set in Pony Express-era Wyoming, the story’s core is the bond between a boy and a pinto horse with a very specific and rare color pattern—a mostly white body, neck and head with a darker color that covers the top of horse’s head and ears like a bonnet or a hat.

Native legend said such a horse held the medicine to protect its rider from harm. The horse was greatly coveted and often stolen by those who wished to safeguard their—or a loved one’s—life.

MORE INSPIRATION TO COME

Click here if you’d like to read the opening of Following Faith.

I hope you enjoyed reading what inspired me to write Faith and Eagle Feather’s story. Join me next Monday when I share my next Story Inspiration page. 

To read the Story Inspiration Pages for my other stories, click here.