FIVE QUESTIONS ... with K. L. Murphy

Welcome to FIVE QUESTIONS. In this feature on my blog, you'll learn about new and exciting books from the author's themselves. You'll hear about the book, their characters, the inspiration behind the book, and other insider details. All through five simple questions.

Today, we are hearing from K.L. Murphy about her new novel THE GREAT FORGOTTEN, available starting today.

What is your new book about?

The Great Forgotten is both a love story and a suspense, set in 1918 and 1988, and inspired by the deadliest train wreck in U.S. history. I think of this story as a bit like Titanic on a train!

What was the inspiration behind the book?

This one is easy. I was in Nashville visiting friends when we pulled over to the side of the road. My friend wanted to point out the historical marker at Dutchman’s Curve that was the site of the train wreck. After reading the sign, he told me that even in Nashville, many people didn’t know about this tragedy and even fewer outside of the area. He had me at “deadliest train wreck.”

What do you hope the reader takes away from your book?

I hope readers will fall in love with the characters, of course, but most of all, I hope they will be glad to have learned about this little-known piece of our country’s history.

What was the hardest scene to write?

I think the hardest to write were the scenes around the trains colliding. I wanted to paint a visual that was believable (because it really happened) but not so believable that the reader couldn’t bear to “watch”. Also, it was important to create an emotional touchpoint but also show the sheer terror and horror of an accident like that from the viewpoint of the characters. I hope I got it right!

What was the biggest challenge (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing this book to life?

The biggest challenge with this book was not going down the rabbit-hole that we call research and not being able to come up for air. While researching, you unearth one nugget that gets you excited (on top of the ones you’ve already found) and then you’re sure you need one more and one more and…you get the idea. I definitely collected a great deal of information that never made it into the book—either because it didn’t serve the plot/characters or while it was interesting to me, it probably wouldn’t have been to every reader. Ultimately, the challenge is to balance the research in a way that is seamless and transports the reader to that specific place and time.

THE GREAT FORGOTTEN is available now, and can be purchased at the following retailers.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Bookshop.org