Just after the publication of my first book, A LOVE THROUGH TIME, it was reviewed by someone who’d lived for a time in Scotland. So, I was more than a bit nervous waiting to see what her opinion of my book was since I’d never even visited the place that I’d just written a book about. And though the review was wonderful (“Kudos to Terri Brisbin for presenting readers with an innovative, fresh time-travel romance. A Love Through Time is a strong debut for a promising new voice. “) I was stunned by her comment in her email to me — she said that she’d never felt as homesick for Scotland as she had after reading my book.

Wow, huh?  I had managed to touch on something authentic about Scotland with my words.  And later, much later and after having written two more books set in medieval Scotland, I finally got the chance to visit there and experience the magical place myself. I’ve been lucky enough to return there several more times and each time I do, it always feels like I’m going home.

Walking through misty glens seems to renew my spirits. Climbing castle ruins, watching rain move over the green hills, lets my imagination soar. Standing where my characters did in their lives lets me dream.  Gliding over the surface of deep, dark lochs reminds me of legends of lost souls and monsters, too.

Then, just last week, I discovered something that made me homesick for Scotland, just as my words had done to that reviewer. I went to a late night showing of the new Disney/Pixar movie BRAVE.   I have to say KUDOS to the animators/illustrators because at times while watching the movie, I almost believed I was back there in Scotland.  As Merida walked through the stone circle and along the paths of the forest, I could almost smell the trees! And the plethora of Scottish accents and the lovely Gaelic music (some sung by Julie Fowlis – one of my favorite singers) just added to the overwhelming sense of missing home.

I know I’m going to see BRAVE again — and I know I have to go back to Scotland — I can hear it calling me. If watching something like BRAVE doesn’t get to you, how about this. Just listen to Neil Oliver — a siren’s call if I ever heard one!

 

How about you? What place calls to you? Where does your heart and soul want to be? Where is ‘home’?  And, have you or do you plan to see BRAVE?

      Terri is hard at work, writing the next in her new MacLerie Clan series while awaiting the publication of the introductory short story – TAMING THE HIGHLAND ROGUE – in August and THE HIGHLANDER’S STOLEN TOUCH in September. Visit her website for lots o’ information about her and her books – past, present and future!