Interview with Jenny Marie Bee, Author of The Day I Left Leona

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Day I Left Leona?

Even though this is the sixth and final book in the Heartache in the Southern Hills Series, it’s the idea that inspired me to begin my writing journey. When my grandmother passed in 2003, I started thinking about how much life she didn’t get to live. A few weeks later, I participated in a work event where each person wrote one hundred things they wanted to be, do, or have. One of my things to do was to write a book.

I spent some time thinking about how I would write about the life my grandmother didn’t get to live, and I decided to title it in her honor. When it came time to put the thoughts onto paper, my heart couldn’t do it for some time, so I wrote other books about other ancestors. Last year, my aunt showed me Leona’s real diary from her teenage years, which was the inspiration for the unfolding of ‘The Day I Left Leona.’

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Day I Left Leona, what would they be?

Leona’s song would have to be “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley, and for Eddie, I think, “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers. Janie’s theme song would be “Don’t Waste My Time” by Little Big Town, while Edward’s would be “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I adore all types of romance, including historical and women’s fiction, and yes, I love writing in those genres.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

“Sing Me Home to Carolina” by Joy Callahan, “Olive Kitteridge” by Elizabeth Strout, “In Five Years” by Rebecca Serle, and at least a hundred more.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was the one where Leona and Eddie become reacquainted after 45 years. I wished so badly, no matter how impossible, that it could’ve worked out that way.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My quirky writing habits are having a thermos of coffee and absolute quiet around 5 am almost every morning. I prefer my ‘Eat, Sleep, Write’ mug, but will write without it.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

I have too many mottos I think I live by, but my solid go-tos are “If you don’t have time to do what matters, quit doing things that don’t.” –anonymous, and “I just wanna live before I die.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

If I could choose only one thing for people to remember after reading my book, I would love for it to be some of Leona’s advice: “When you give your heart away, promise me it will be to a man you choose for yourself. If you learn anything from your granny, let it be this: Don’t settle when it comes to your heart.”

Jenny Marie Bee is the author of the new book The Day I Left Leona

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