Dear Readers, this is
release day for In High Cotton. I’m
thrilled to help promote it. I finished reading it this morning. It's a book
that's hard to put down. I kept saying to myself, “Just one more page.” Then, “Just
one more chapter.” Ane’s characters leapt from the pages right into my heart.
And the storyline kept my heart racing. Drama, suspense, and romance filled
every chapter. And the spiritual thread woven through brought hope in the face
of hardships. I know every reader will be rooting for the characters as they face
seemingly insurmountable odds.
Welcome back, Ane. God
has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
He has indeed. On the horizon I see two more books in my
Georgia Magnolias series. This book is In High Cotton, followed by On Sugar Hill, which releases June 2021.
Then I’m working on By the Sweet Gum,
which will be the third in this series. I’m finding I love writing during the
Depression era.
The Covid-19 pandemic has not caused too much difference for
me, except I’m not able to produce the plays at our community theatre. We’re
hoping to get back in November. So I’ve found more time to write and it’s made
a difference in my writing. For that, if nothing else, I’m finding blessings in
the quarantine.
I’ve seen a lot of
good things happening during this time, too. Tell us a little about your
family.
We have three children. The eldest two are my stepchildren,
whom I love as my own. The third is Chef Greg. That should tell you a lot right
there. My hubby is an artist, and he designs all the sets for our theatre. We
live in Sugar Hill, Georgia, with a rascally Rottweiler,
who is from the Smores line of Rottweilers. His father is the grand champion marshmallow.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes, definitely. I used to be able to read nearly everything
my hands picked up. Now, studying the craft for so many years has made my inner
editor very strong. Now, I stick to women’s fiction and historical.
What are you working
on right now?
By the Sweet Gum
is my current project. It’s placed in 1932 in a cotton mill town in central Georgia. My
research is eye-opening. I had a plan in place, but my research revealed what I
had for my main character’s family wouldn’t work. A major change was needed.
When I made the changes, it opened a world of conflict for my characters.
Sweet! A writer’s dream.
What outside
interests do you have?
Community theatre. When I was a three-year-old, my parents
took me to see Peter Pan onstage,
with Mary Martin. I caught a fever that day, and I’ve never recovered. Stage
fever. Now, I don’t act as much but I direct a lot. I’m also the managing
director for the troupe. We’re a non-profit and it’s like running a business. I
have greasepaint in my veins.
That passion works well with writing novels, and my writing
has made me a better director. I find I can draw out characters qualities form
my actors, using the same methods I do with my book characters.
Since I share the
drama background with you, I totally understand. My books are better because of
directing plays. How do you choose your settings for each book?
All my books take place in Georgia. There is one exception, When the Bough Breaks, which takes place
in New York and Georgia.
Depending on the story, I find an area to place a fictional
town or use Sugar Hill as my setting. The story will dictate the setting, and since
all mine are Southern-fried, well ... Georgia is the best place for them!
If you could spend an
evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Anne Boleyn. She fascinates me. Her story is a sad one. The
court of Henry the VIII was ruthless. I think Henry truly loved her, as much as
he was able, but he needed a son. And she paid the price for having a daughter.
What is the one thing
you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
That’s not an easy question. I’ve loved every minute of this
crazy writing world. I guess it would have to be knowing more about marketing.
What new lessons is
the Lord teaching you right now?
Enjoy each day. I’m a true extrovert. I’m energized by being
around people, but writing is a singular job. And without having my writing
buddies to meet with, or my theatre pals to physically be with, it’s been hard.
But God is showing up and He’s great creative company!
I’m like you, and
that is so true. He’s been adding more depth into the book I’m writing right
now. What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be
successful?
Grow a thick skin. Understand critiques are of the work, not
the writer.
Don’t be afraid of the delete key. You can create another
sentence as beautiful as that one. With this goes: only God’s words are sacred.
Enjoy the journey. Don’t be in such a hurry that you miss
the friends you meet along the way ... like you, Lena.
We do have a
wonderful history, don’t we? Tell us about the featured book.
It’s about five strong women, who come together and use
their wisdom and wiles to try to win against prejudice and greed. But it’s
Southern-fried, so there is heartwarming humor sprinkled throughout. Here’s the
back cover copy:
Southern women may look as delicate as flowers, but there’s
iron in their veins.
While the rest of the world has been roaring through the
1920s, times are hardscrabble in rural South Georgia.
Widow Maggie Parker is barely surviving while raising her young son alone. Then
as banks begin to fail, her father-in-law threatens to take her son and sell
off her livelihood—the grocery store her husband left her. Can five Southern
women band together, using their wisdom and wiles to stop him and survive the
Great Depression?
Please give us the
first page of the book for my readers.
Sadie always says, "Southern women may seem as delicate
as flowers, but we've got iron in our veins." And I believe her. After
all, she's living proof—a lone Cherokee rose, whose thorns protect her better
than any man could. Though older than my mama, she stepped into the role of
friend the day I arrived in Rivers End as a new bride, and then later as mentor
on the day my husband died.
I long to be like her, but figuring out how to work around
the prejudice against women working is the pickle. Sadie says she overcame it
by pure meanness and tenacity, and that I need more vinegar.
I thought it was iron.
She says I have the iron, I just need to pump some into my
spine.
Now, in my own defense, I've done a respectable job raising
Barry, my eight-year-old son, on my own while keeping Parker's Grocery afloat.
Don't ask Big Jim for his opinion, though. My late husband's daddy is pigheaded
when it comes to women working.
"Mama?" Barry pulls on my sleeve. "Can we buy
these?" He bounces on his toes, his nutmeg eyes pleading with me over a
pair of black high-topped, canvas athletic shoes.
I tousle his golden-brown curls, so much like mine, and pick
up the price tag to consider. They're on sale, marked down from a $1.39, but
the ten cents saved won't be enough. The grocery's bottom line hangs on a
precarious black edge, teetering way too close to red for comfort.
I stroke his smooth cheek. "I'm sorry, sugar, you'll
have to make do with the tennis oxfords for now. Look." I hold the tag for
him to see. "They cost half of those, and with you growing so fast,
they're all I can afford right now."
He nods and squares his small shoulders. "Okay, Mama.
The oxfords lace up quicker, anyhow." My sweet boy puts the high tops back
on the shelf and carries the canvas oxfords to Miss Ida Claire.
While she measures his foot, I wander over to the front of
Mobley's Dry Goods and a display of aprons. I pick through them, looking for
one with a little personality in a cheery yellow or bright red. In these dark
financial times, a bit of color helps—lifts a gal's spirits like a new
lipstick.
A train-whistle blows and the wheels rumble on the tracks,
vibrating the wooden floor. My heart skips a beat. Someday, I'm going to be on
one of those, going somewhere. I turn to see if Barry heard it. He has and
darts to the window. Anything to do with trains or airplanes draws him like a
fly to butter.
"That's the ten-ten, Mama. Right on time." He
peers past a set of fingerprints that are eye level with the dolls. I can't
help but wonder if the little girl's mother felt like I do and stared at the
dolls, knowing she couldn't afford one for her little girl's birthday.
"Is Miss Ida Claire finished with you, son?"
"Yes, ma'am. She's got 'em at the register."
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Thank you for letting me meet your readers, Lena!
And thank you for
sharing this wonderful book with my blog readers and me.
Readers,
here are links to the book.
In High Cotton
- Paperback
In High Cotton - Kindle
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