Samuel DenHartog's Blog: The Road to 1,440 - Posts Tagged "coal"
Explore the Mystery and Adventure of the Mines in "Goblins of Coal Mountain"
As a writer, there are moments when the lines between history and imagination blur, creating a world that feels as real as fantastical. In my latest project, "Goblins of Coal Mountain," I’ve had the opportunity to dive into one such world—a place where the echoes of the past resonate with the thrill of adventure and the whispers of ancient legends. This story, set in the coal mines of West Virginia in the late 19th century, has been a journey into the heart of mystery and the unknown.
The idea was sparked first by "Princess and the Goblin" by Goerge MacDonanld and by a fascination with the rich history of Appalachian coal mining, a time and place steeped in both hardship and heroism. With their dark tunnels and hidden depths, these mines seemed the perfect setting for a tale where the natural and supernatural collide. Imagining what might lurk in those shadowy passages led me to create a narrative that explores not only the physical challenges of the era but also the eerie, almost otherworldly elements that could dwell in such a place.
Writing this story allowed me to explore the themes of courage and friendship in the face of overwhelming odds. The characters, shaped by their environment and the challenges they face, are a testament to the human spirit's resilience. As they navigate the labyrinthine mines, uncovering secrets that have long been buried, they remind us that bravery often comes in the most unexpected forms and that the bonds we forge can help us confront even the darkest of fears.
I’m excited to share this journey with readers and hope it resonates as deeply with you as it has with me.
The idea was sparked first by "Princess and the Goblin" by Goerge MacDonanld and by a fascination with the rich history of Appalachian coal mining, a time and place steeped in both hardship and heroism. With their dark tunnels and hidden depths, these mines seemed the perfect setting for a tale where the natural and supernatural collide. Imagining what might lurk in those shadowy passages led me to create a narrative that explores not only the physical challenges of the era but also the eerie, almost otherworldly elements that could dwell in such a place.
Writing this story allowed me to explore the themes of courage and friendship in the face of overwhelming odds. The characters, shaped by their environment and the challenges they face, are a testament to the human spirit's resilience. As they navigate the labyrinthine mines, uncovering secrets that have long been buried, they remind us that bravery often comes in the most unexpected forms and that the bonds we forge can help us confront even the darkest of fears.
I’m excited to share this journey with readers and hope it resonates as deeply with you as it has with me.
Unlock the Secrets of the Appalachian Wilderness in "Magic of Coal Mountain"
I'm thrilled to introduce you to my latest book, "Magic of Coal Mountain." Set generations before the events of “Goblins of Coal Mountain,” this new tale brings you to the heart of the untamed Appalachian wilderness, where magic weaves through the air and ancient secrets lie hidden just beyond sight.
In “Magic of Coal Mountain,” you’ll meet Edmund Haywood and his wife Eliza, a young couple from England who brave the rugged slopes of Coal Mountain to carve out a new life for themselves. With their flock of sheep and dreams of freedom, they prepare to battle the elements, discovering that this land is alive with mysteries they never imagined. As they build their homestead, their young daughter Sarah is drawn to the enchantment around her. With her heart full of wonder and curiosity, she ventures deeper into the mountain’s secrets, uncovering a hidden realm of ancient spirits and fairies watching over the land.
This is a story of courage, discovery, and the untamed magic of Coal Mountain, where every rock, tree, and whispered breeze holds a piece of its legacy. As the Haywood family learns to embrace both the beauty and danger of their new home, they uncover an ancient power that will shape their family’s destiny for future generations.
Join Edmund, Eliza, and Sarah on their adventure, where courage and belief unlock doors to a hidden world, and the mysteries of Coal Mountain are waiting to be discovered. I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I did writing it and it inspires you to see the magic in the world around you!
In “Magic of Coal Mountain,” you’ll meet Edmund Haywood and his wife Eliza, a young couple from England who brave the rugged slopes of Coal Mountain to carve out a new life for themselves. With their flock of sheep and dreams of freedom, they prepare to battle the elements, discovering that this land is alive with mysteries they never imagined. As they build their homestead, their young daughter Sarah is drawn to the enchantment around her. With her heart full of wonder and curiosity, she ventures deeper into the mountain’s secrets, uncovering a hidden realm of ancient spirits and fairies watching over the land.
This is a story of courage, discovery, and the untamed magic of Coal Mountain, where every rock, tree, and whispered breeze holds a piece of its legacy. As the Haywood family learns to embrace both the beauty and danger of their new home, they uncover an ancient power that will shape their family’s destiny for future generations.
Join Edmund, Eliza, and Sarah on their adventure, where courage and belief unlock doors to a hidden world, and the mysteries of Coal Mountain are waiting to be discovered. I hope you enjoy this journey as much as I did writing it and it inspires you to see the magic in the world around you!
Discover My Greatest Works Yet: Two Magical Tales of Coal Mountain
After writing over 100 books, I find myself reflecting on two that I believe stand out as my finest achievements yet. For those who have followed my work, you'll know this is not a claim I make lightly. I believe this is the first or, at most, second time I've ever made such a statement about any of my books.
The first of these is “Goblins of Coal Mountain”, a novel deeply inspired by “The Princess and the Goblin” by George MacDonald. While I like to think this might be one of my best works, much of the credit belongs to MacDonald; it is, after all, his timeless story that I've reimagined in a new setting—the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. With all my love of reading, I confess that I hadn’t read “The Princess and the Goblin” as a child or prior to this, so discovering it while crafting this book was a revelation and a true delight.
The success and satisfaction I found in creating “Goblins of Coal Mountain” compelled me to expand upon the story's universe. In MacDonald's original tale, the young girl Princess Irene becomes a young girl named Sarah in my adaptation, but I decided to delve deeper into her lineage. George MacDonald did write a sequel, “The Princess and Curdie,” which I have yet to read, but he left many questions unanswered—chief among them how Irene's great-great-grandmother became a fairy.
My second book in this series, “Magic of Coal Mountain,” fills these gaps. It traces the roots of Sarah's great-great-grandmother, also named Sarah, who was born after her parents from England arrived to settle in the Virginia Colony. This book spans the entirety of her life, exploring her journey, her love, and, ultimately, her transformation into a fairy. Along the way, the story is rich with fairy lore, bandits, a mysterious witch, a giant, and a dwarf, woven seamlessly with the everyday life of sheep herding, coal mining, and the dramatic backdrop of the Revolutionary War.
I genuinely believe that these two books, my 104th and 105th, represent the pinnacle of my writing career so far. I know my extensive bibliography can be a lot to keep up with, but if you’re considering diving into my works, I wholeheartedly recommend starting with these two. While very different, they capture the magic, mystery, and depth that I strive to bring to all my stories.
Looking ahead, I plan to continue this series with two more books, following Sarah and Jamie’s adventures after the events of “Goblins of Coal Mountain”. But don't let that stop you from diving into these two books now; each one stands alone as an engaging and complete story with its own magic and mysteries to explore.
While they are my two favorites to date, it is hard to judge your own work. I eagerly await your feedback—your thoughts here on Goodreads or your ratings and reviews on Amazon—to tell me if you, my readers, share my belief in these books as my best.
Coal Mountain (2 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)
The first of these is “Goblins of Coal Mountain”, a novel deeply inspired by “The Princess and the Goblin” by George MacDonald. While I like to think this might be one of my best works, much of the credit belongs to MacDonald; it is, after all, his timeless story that I've reimagined in a new setting—the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. With all my love of reading, I confess that I hadn’t read “The Princess and the Goblin” as a child or prior to this, so discovering it while crafting this book was a revelation and a true delight.
The success and satisfaction I found in creating “Goblins of Coal Mountain” compelled me to expand upon the story's universe. In MacDonald's original tale, the young girl Princess Irene becomes a young girl named Sarah in my adaptation, but I decided to delve deeper into her lineage. George MacDonald did write a sequel, “The Princess and Curdie,” which I have yet to read, but he left many questions unanswered—chief among them how Irene's great-great-grandmother became a fairy.
My second book in this series, “Magic of Coal Mountain,” fills these gaps. It traces the roots of Sarah's great-great-grandmother, also named Sarah, who was born after her parents from England arrived to settle in the Virginia Colony. This book spans the entirety of her life, exploring her journey, her love, and, ultimately, her transformation into a fairy. Along the way, the story is rich with fairy lore, bandits, a mysterious witch, a giant, and a dwarf, woven seamlessly with the everyday life of sheep herding, coal mining, and the dramatic backdrop of the Revolutionary War.
I genuinely believe that these two books, my 104th and 105th, represent the pinnacle of my writing career so far. I know my extensive bibliography can be a lot to keep up with, but if you’re considering diving into my works, I wholeheartedly recommend starting with these two. While very different, they capture the magic, mystery, and depth that I strive to bring to all my stories.
Looking ahead, I plan to continue this series with two more books, following Sarah and Jamie’s adventures after the events of “Goblins of Coal Mountain”. But don't let that stop you from diving into these two books now; each one stands alone as an engaging and complete story with its own magic and mysteries to explore.
While they are my two favorites to date, it is hard to judge your own work. I eagerly await your feedback—your thoughts here on Goodreads or your ratings and reviews on Amazon—to tell me if you, my readers, share my belief in these books as my best.
Coal Mountain (2 book series) Kindle Edition (amazon.com)
The Road to 1,440
I'm Samuel DenHartog, and at 51, at the end of November of 2023, I've embarked on a remarkable journey as a writer. My diverse background in computer programming, video game development, and film prod
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