Just when you thought 2016 was fresh out of surprises, One Tree Hill actor Chad Michael Murray announces that he co-wrote a romance novel with actress Heather Graham. In case you've forgotten, let me remind you that Murray's One Tree Hill character, Lucas Scott, was a ~serious~ author whose debut novel, An Unkindness of Ravens, was adapted into a television show.
While Lucas Scott's book was about teenage angst, Chad Michael Murray describes his debut novel as an "adventure-thriller-romance." Titled American Drifter, the book is the story of an American soldier who finds love while backpacking in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The novel hits bookstores on Nov. 7, 2017.
"American Drifter's romance was inspired by a dream I had," Murray told US Weekly. "The dream had played out so vividly, as if I was a fly on the wall watching this tale go down. Also, at that time, I had been searching for a story that would resonate with the youth of the world in a way that would make us feel the light and excitement for adventure."
In an interview with Metro from 2014, Murray mentioned the collaboration with Heather Graham and cited Edgar Allen Poe, J.D. Salinger, and Aldous Huxley as his literary influences.
"I wouldn't consider myself an avid reader — I want to be but I haven't incorporated it into my lifestyle," he told Metro. "Writing is a beautiful craft and so many people do it well that I'm just incredibly grateful to get [American Drifter] published."
Next year is shaping up to be a big year for the actor. His wife, Sarah Roemer, is reportedly pregnant with the couple's second child. Between a new baby and a new book, it sounds like Chad Michael Murray is definitely going to have his hands full. Stay tuned for more details on American Drifter.
