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Emily Wright • Mar 14, 2022

I have always been fascinated with history. When I was a child, I read the American Girls series, which made me want to start writing short stories that were set in different historical eras. In addition to these books, my love of the past stemmed from annual visits to various Civil War battlefields. With each one of these trips, I craved to know more and more. I wondered what it was really like. I wished that I could meet some of the real people who lived it, knowing there were many stories to tell.


I was in middle school when I began to research the Civil War. I had an idea for a short story called “Have Courage.” The two protagonists were Elizabeth and Tom, both names that I absolutely loved at the time. I used what knowledge I had gained from the research I had done, setting the story in Tennessee, where I am from. In the few years to come, I wrote two sequels and additional short stories afterwards. Since “Have Courage” seemed to always be in the back of my mind, I rewrote the series in high school.


When it came time for my senior thesis at Union University, I couldn’t help but think of that series once more. I decided to showcase my favorite character, Tom Murphy, and place him in his first battle at Belmont, Missouri. I wanted to explore the concept of lost innocence, of growing up and taking a stand for one’s beliefs. The end result was the short story version of “Trial of Strength,” which was published in The Copperfield Review in 2016 (you can read it here). After my thesis defense, I was determined to rewrite the entire series and turn them into full-length novels.


I decided to call the series Trials of the Heart because I was inspired by James 1: 2-4, which says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (NIV). The first novel in the series, Trial of Strength, is named after the version I used for my senior thesis. The second book is so named because I’ve always thought of the Civil War as America’s “trial by fire.” The final installment, "Trial of Courage"(new release; click here for a sample), is a nod to the original title from my middle school days.


The main setting of the Trials of the Heart series is Memphis, TN. I chose this city because of historical events that I had absolutely no idea about. I had never heard of Irving Block Prison, much less that it was one of the most notorious Civil War prisons. I didn’t know that a Freedmen’s Bureau office was established in Memphis in 1865, which served all of West Tennessee. Similarly, I didn’t know about the horrendous Memphis Massacre of 1866, which took place a year after the war ended. I felt that the story of those dark days in Memphis needed to be told. I feel that it is important to know where we as a people have come from, what tragedies those who came before us endured, what price was paid so that future generations could hopefully one day prosper.History is not pretty. It is often brutal. That is why the stories must be told


AboEmily Wright is an author of inspirational historical fiction. Her Trials of the Heart series features a Civil War trilogy: Trial of Strength, Trial by Fire, and Trial of Courage. She has been published in The Copperfield Review and The Tennessee Magazine. Emily lives in Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and Labrador retriever.


Author Interview
What (2 or 3) fun or unique things can you tell us about yourself
?1. I am a high school English teacher in a small rural town in Tennessee
.2. During my college days, I earned an orange belt in karate
.3. I am a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Star Wars movies.


How did you get started writing?
Each time I am asked this question, I go back to Young Authors Day during my kindergarten year. My teacher, Mrs. Jennie Taylor, hand wrote it for me, while I told her what to write. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be an author.


What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

Share my social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram! Also, sharing my website would be very helpful, as well. I greatly encourage people to always leave reviews for books they enjoyed. It’s sort of like leaving your waiter a tip at a restaurant; if you enjoyed your“meal,” let the author know


Questions? Comments? I would love to hear from you!
Website: www.emilywrightofficial.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wrightemily20
Instagram: www.instagram.com/emilywrightauthor

Buy/Start Reading: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WYDXPJM?binding=paperback&qid=1646535702


First page of the newest release, Trial of Courage

Chapter One
Memphis, Tennessee
September 1864
Golden sunlight. Quiet sobs. Minister’s calm, even voice. Earthy scent of dirt mixed with the fragrance of flowers. A steady wind blew, tussling Elizabeth’s black skirts as she opened her eyes. This couldn’t be real. Shewas in a dream, a terrible dream she would soon wake from. If she were to awaken in the dark cellar in Atlanta,so be it. At least she would still have her uncle. At least he would still be alive. She felt the soft touch of Rosalie’s hand on her arm, her childhood friend making an attempt at some form of comfort. They both knew there was nothing that could erase the pain, the heartache of losing a loved one. Elizabeth remembered the day of Johnny Davis’ funeral, how Rosalie had wept at the loss of her brother. Gettysburg. At least Johnny had died a hero. Uncle John had died for nothing. Tears welled up again, and Elizabeth dug her fingernails into her palm. Her caregiver, the man who’d raised her since her parents’ deaths. Everything he’d done had been to protect her. Even arranging a marriage. But George had let her go, had allowed her to return home, releasing her from the promise she’d made to Uncle John. Guilt rose up in her heart as she stared at the wooden casket, not hearing the preacher’s words. Was it a sin to break a promise to a dying man?


“Let us pray,” the minister said, and everyone around Elizabeth obeyed. She watched them as they bowed their heads, talking to the God who had taken her uncle away. I still don’t understand, Father. No answer from Heaven. Elizabeth lowered her head, closing her eyes against new tears. Even though he’d been released from Irving Block Prison, it had killed him after all. The Yankees had kept him in that place, made him weak. The journey to Atlanta had done a number on him, as well. Then came the siege. The Yankees had forced them into hiding in the damp cellar for nearly two months. That had been the death knell. The Yankees were about to burn down the city before George had urged Elizabeth to board the waiting train with her uncle’s casket. A sharp stab of pain ripped through her when she remembered the tall man standing in the line of blue-clad soldiers


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