Dear Readers, for our
first interview in the new year and new decade is the debut novel of a special
woman. Ann has won several awards on her way to publication. I’m thrilled to be
able to introduce her and her novel to you.
Welcome, Ann. Tell us
how much of yourself you write into your characters.
The female protagonist, Sumi, resembles me a lot. She has a
natural reserve she must overcome to satisfy her longings for adventure and a
greater purpose in life. Without a meaningful relationship with God, I would
have that same powerful yearning. Also, the characters’ relationships include
my notions of how romance blossoms in people’s lives.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
I guess petting a wild monkey in Japan was pretty quirky. At least,
my friend yelled for me to stop so I wouldn’t get bitten.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I discovered I could write nonfiction in high school when a
teacher and a newspaper reporter praised my work, but for many years I didn’t
do much writing other than lesson plans and curriculum development. Becoming a
finalist and then winner in two fiction contests encouraged me in my efforts to
write stories.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
My enjoyment depends more on the quality of the writing than
on the genre, so I have a huge range. My favorite genres, however, are
historical/historical romance and nonfiction biographies.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I read the Bible and pray every morning. However, I often
get swept up in the multitude of tasks. Then I have to remember God’s presence
and to take things one step at a time. I’m thankful each day is a new one.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Since the stories are set in Japan , I consulted Japanese friends
about suitable names for samurai,
servants, and officials for the series’ time period. Finding names that weren’t
too difficult for American readers complicated the choices. I wanted a classic
type of name for the American protagonist and settled on John Cardiff. The
capital city of Wales is Cardiff , so it’s an old
British-sounding name.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Through the years, I’ve cherished the ability to relate well
to international students, and that gift helped me develop the Intensive English
programs at two universities and write tales with an international setting.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
I’d be a dog because I would have a decent chance of getting
a good, warm home with nice humans. Today’s chilly, damp weather may be
influencing me.
What is your favorite
food?
It’s hard to narrow it down because I haven’t met a dessert
I didn’t like. Right now, I’ll say ice cream and the Japanese soft, rice-ball
candies but that could change with the next meal.
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
When a friend at a high school reunion read an early draft
of mine, she kindly told me I had to find a critique group. I soon learned that
I was trying to write fiction like a nonfiction writer. Since I didn’t know
anything about writing fiction, I had to revise my first story each time I
learned a new skill—an astronomical number of times.
Tell us about the
featured book.
The Year of the Barbarian, set in mid-nineteen century Japan ,
is the first book in the Dragonfly Trilogy. Sumi Taguchi, a samurai’s daughter, eagerly anticipates
the arrival of foreigners from the West and the end of Japan ’s centuries-long isolation
from the world. She hopes these foreigners—if they turn out to be truly
civilized—will bring answers to life’s troublesome riddles. But to be free to
meet these newcomers, she must first avoid a nightmarish betrothal and the
fallout from her rash curiosity.
The young New York
merchant, John Cardiff, risks his inheritance by sailing to the far side of the
world. His fascination with Japan
leads to a dangerous trading venture. As trouble mounts, he dreads the
shipwreck not only of his ship but also of his life.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
July 1855 (Year of the
Rabbit), Nagasaki , Japan
A hungry mosquito flew under the hem of Sumi Taguchi’s
kimono and attacked her ankle. She dared not swat it while old Suzuki-sensei, her tutor, knelt ramrod
straight on the cushion opposite her, expounding the virtues found in the Tale of the Heike.
“With true samurai spirit, Lady Nii took the seven-year-old
Emperor’s arm and propelled both of them off the ship and into the foaming
sea.” A hint of enthusiasm colored his recitation. “Emperor Antoku’s mother
leapt in after them, intending to save her son’s life, not his honor.”
The mosquito bite itched, but Sumi held firm. She would not
lick her lips. She would not sway. And she would not allow a muscle’s quiver.
If she concentrated on the fascinating account, she’d forget the urge to
scratch. She was sure of it.
Suzuki closed the worn text and bowed. “I shall continue the
history next week when the young student is able to concentrate.” He clamped
his lips together.
“Sumimasen,” she apologized, her heart plummeting. She’d
kept her eyes cast down and had held perfectly still. How did her tutor know
that her mind wandered for a second?
Waiting a week to find out if the three drowned in the sea
was disappointing, but worse was this newest failure. Now that she had turned
fourteen, the standards for a samurai’s daughter rose impossibly high. In the
last lesson, she had left out two phrases from her long recitation. In the
lesson before that, Suzuki-sensei scolded her for asking a foolish question
about whether women could be samurai in the Western countries. And in the prior
weeks? Countless mistakes.
“Perhaps fresh air will improve your mind.” Suzuki’s knees
creaked as he rose. “I shall observe your progress with your weapon.” He gestured
toward the open panel and walked down the hall leading to her home’s back
garden, his slight limp betraying his age of more than sixty years.
Following at a respectful distance, Sumi held her breath as
they approached the closed panel leading to her grandfather’s room. Would her
lapse be reported to the Eldest?
Suzuki hesitated a moment, then walked on, the tatami emitting soft puffs as he crossed
them.
She practically tiptoed the rest of the way to the garden.
At Suzuki’s word, she grasped the lacquered black shaft of
the naginata, a smooth, long spear
ending in a curved steel blade, and then waited for his next order.
“Pick the ripest pear. Not one leaf with it.”
Squinting at the bright sky, she studied the nearby tree.
The yellowest pear nestled close to the top on an inner bough. She’d never be
able to avoid striking the branch. Yet she had to try.
Careful not to entangle a wisp of her long hair, she made a
quick thrust at the pear. Amazingly, she hit it, but a twig full of leaves
accompanied it into Suzuki’s outstretched hand.
“How many hours did you practice last week?” An icy
politeness frosted his words.
“Seven hours. One . . . one each day.” She’d practiced early
each morning before the summer heat siphoned her energy, and had endured the
chore before breakfast, half-starved.
“Two hours a day this week, and three the next if you do no
better. The spear must become an extension of your arm.”
Sumi bowed her assent. At that rate, no pear or branch would
be left on the wretched tree. Maybe she could do imaginary battle with leaves
instead of fruit, while melting under the sun.
Interesting. How can
readers find you on the Internet?
Thank you, Ann, for
sharing this new book with my readers and me. I’m eager to read the rest of the
story.
Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book.
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Would love to win a copy!!
ReplyDeleteThis beginning sounds so good!!! I’m already sucked in! 🤗 I’m in Texas. 🙂
ReplyDeleteOh my I am intrigued!! Cannot wait to read the whole book here in Grand Prairie.
ReplyDeleteTexas....would love a copy of this book.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your interest in this book! Your comments are a real encouragement!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the interview with Ann Boyles. I would love the opportunity to read "THE YEAR OF THE BARBARIAN". The storyline sounds fascinating and I love the time frame and the setting in Japan.
ReplyDeleteKay Garrett of Mountain View, AR
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Ann has a beautiful way with words. I would love to win a copy of her book.
ReplyDeleteConnie Leonard
Thank you for sharing a great interview. Rainy and foggy day in WV.
ReplyDeleteEnter me in your awesome giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteConway SC.
I greatly appreciate your comments! I'm especially touched by seeing the different places you represent. I hope everyone enjoys reading the book as much as I enjoyed writing it. This first book was like working a crossword puzzle in a way because I'd already written the second book and knew the characters' personalities and future actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree, mochi ice cream is amazing --I saw Elizabeth Camden recommend Ms. Boyle's book and I'm definitely excited to learn more! I might be biased, but there isn't enough Asian historical Christian fiction out there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
Jen (HI)