The Pilgrim Novel

This is a project I've been working on and thinking about for a really long time now. The real story of the events of this time period have long been obscured by all the popular myths that have been invented and taught about it, and while some of those myths are being debunked now, most people still don't know the real story or have much real idea of what really happened during that century in Massachusetts. Most tellings really don't give voice or attention to Native experiences or really do justice to the drama and tragedy of what unfolded there. I believe this is an important story to tell, and while I am often daunted by this task, I believe a novel might be the best medium to get an accurate history to a wider audience. Doing the research for this project has been a fascinating journey. Last summer, I got to participate in the NEH Teaching Native American Histories last summer in Massachusetts. I was able to vist those physical places, talk to so many knowledgable and generous people, including Native leaders and historians, and really understand just how much more learning I needed to do in order to do justice to this work. In December, I started the drafting process. I'm excited and humbled to be doing this work.