What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
Shortly after the publication of my second novel, A Kind of Hush, I opened my “what’s next” box which is full of newspaper articles and retrieved two…one about baby boxes, which are anonymous safe havens for children surrendered by a parent who cannot care for their infant…and the other about Locks of Love attached to the ironwork on a bridge over the River Seine. Suddenly, I had the initial setting of Paris, France, for a new title. In July 2023, we enjoyed a Rhine River cruise visiting Heidelberg Castle in Germany, and our tour guide wore a skirt patterned with various book titles. Another tie to Germany was my uncle, Captain Richard Bowen, who led “The Duchess” in the first daylight raid on Berlin on March 6, 1944, and setting number two was set. Loyal to my Texas roots, I wanted to travel back to my home state and settled on a fictional town in the Hill Country. All these little tidbits formed the basis for Wings Against the Wind.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Most of the chapters in the book are song titles foreshadowing what was going to happen in that chapter, so songs play a significant role in inspiring my writing. The references below speak to a composite of the main characters. Gretchen Cassidy: “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey…it’s an anthem of hope, determination, and holding on to one’s dreams no matter what challenges arise. Hamilton Archer: “I Won’t Let Go” by Rascal Flatts…a promise of support through life’s struggles. Nicolas Karson: “He Didn’t Have To Be” by Brad Paisley…Nicolas’ role was that of a “stepfather” who made sure Gretchen and the children were safe and flourishing. Knox Garland: “Hold My Hand” by Hootie & the Blowfish…focuses on compassion, empathy, and connection, offering support in a time of need.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I’m drawn to character-driven plots, which lead me to the thematic depth and innovative prose of literary fiction. Richly drawn, interesting traits that carry the story on their backs as readers navigate through the journey the author has laid out for them speak to me on many levels. Therefore, writing in that genre has a special appeal to me—to emulate writers like Pat Conroy, Elizabeth Strout, and Cormac McCarthy, hoping one day I can create a single sentence equal to their mastery.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
I’m in charge of our community book club, and we, as a committee of four, select the reads in advance of our meetings—September through May—so there’s always a stack on my TBR pile for Bookers’ books. Our criteria are that the selections must be well-written and foster discussion. I also read for pleasure when I come up for air and enjoy good mysteries and historical fiction.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
That’s a tough one to narrow down, but the most emotional for me was Gretchen writing the love letters to Holden and Hadley, pinning them to their shirts before surrendering them to the hospital in Fulda, and then visiting Drew in the NICU when she realized what she had done. It tugged at my heartstrings long after I had completed the scene.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I read that sitting is the “new smoking,” so I don’t know if this is quirky, but I have an adjustable portable desk, and when I’m writing, I stand up. I also keep a notepad beside my bed, as many thoughts come to me in the middle of the night, and I jot them down in the dark, hoping I can read what I scribbled in the morning.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
As a reader and an author, I am pieces of all the places I have been and all the people I have loved, both fictionally and in my life. I’m stitched together by song lyrics, book quotes and unforgettables. My Nana used to say the more hurdles you leap over, the more you appreciate the roadblocks. Don’t let those define who you are. Life begins with blank pages, how you will them will measure your worth…not to others, but to yourself. If we can turn each page with the satisfaction that the words we used are kind, the emotions we shared are sincere, and the people we touched felt the warmth of an open heart, we know when we reach the last page, we are on the right track.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Life often hits you squarely in the face, and the challenge is to find the resources to land on your feet. By detailing Gretchen’s unrelenting quest to reunite her family, she offers a tutorial on how to navigate the obstacles littering her path and keep her goal at the forefront of her actions.
