Discussing Things Left Unspoken with Author, Eva Marie Everson (With Giveaway!)

I'm happy Eva Marie Everson took time from her busy schedule to answer my questions today. I hope her answers bless you as they have me. I was tempted to type: WOW! after some of her answers. *smile*

1. What inspired you to write Things Left Unspoken? What do you hope readers take away after reading?

When my great uncle died, his wife -- my Aunt Della -- moved in with my mother (they had no children). When she died, she willed the old home (which had been her parent's home) to my mother who sold it to a woman who was supposed to renovate not only the house but the little town in which it sat. I'm not sure why, but the renovation never happened. One day, as I was remembering the day we buried Uncle Jimmy (it snowed at the cemetery), I asked myself, "What if the project had actually happened?" The story -- one of intrigue, suspense, and romance -- built itself from there.

What I hope readers will get is this: everyone -- EVERYone -- leaves their fingerprints on this life simply by being here. By living. We all have a legacy to leave behind, a story to tell, a way to learn from past generations and a way to teach future generations.

2. How was writing Things Left Unspoken different from writing the Potluck series?

It was different from ANYTHING that I have ever written because I started writing it years ago ... wrote only a few paragraphs ... then went back and wrote a little more and then a little more and a little more ... Once Baker signed me to a contract, I knew I actually had to write a story! But I hadn't plotted anything out -- not really -- and my characters were in the process of telling me who they were. So, I stopped writing, got to know my characters, and then allowed them to tell me the story of their lives and the plot of the book. It totally came to me one page at a time. (Do not attempt to do this at home! LOL)




3. Jo-Lynn had to go home in order to realize truths about herself and her family. Going home served to change her life. There was even a quote that basically stated that God leads you home so you can start over. Why do you think He leads us home?

That's a great question. Home will either reveal all the goodness in our lives or all the crud. Either way, you've got to strip down the wax buildup to discover the true beauty of the grain of wood you were made from.


4. Authors cannot possibly put everything they have researched in their stories. Was there something you learned while researching Things Left Unspoken that you would want to share with us?

I learned a lot about old houses and renovation projects. I learned more than I ever thought I'd want to know about the Klan's activities in the South and their reign of terror on good, innocent people. And I learned a lot about the Jews who were forced to deny who they were as a culture and as a faith.

Things Left Unspoken was inspired by your family history , did you learn something about yourself while writing the story?

I learned something about myself as an artist. I learned that I really can open an artery and bleed on paper ...

On the writing life:

5. Do you have a routine you follow before you sit down to accomplish your pages? Do you have a daily word count?

Yes. My house really and truly and truly and really has to be CLEAN before I can write. I write every day -- no word count unless I'm under the gun -- and then the next day I begin by editing what I wrote the day before. Then I pick up from there and move forward. Every day has a little research, a little editing, a little writing and -- apparently -- a lot of bleeding!

6. Do you have to have a certain food, drink, special music, favorite clothing, etc. a round to be able to write? Do you go to great lengths to ensure you have it around before you sit down?

Coffee is good. When I wrote Things Left Unspoken I had 40s swing music on most of the time. My upcoming novel This Fine Life was written with all Classic Oldies playing. Do I go to great lengths? Not really. I know the kitchen is just down the hall and my stereo system is on the antique bookshelf at my right shoulder.

7. You successfully intertwined 3 stories spanning over 70 years, how might a new writer keep track of her stories while still holding a reader’s attention?

I keep a notebook. This notebook has everything in it. Every character has a series of 20 pages. I "create" houses and towns and storylines. There are photos and drawings and other items necessary to write and necessary for keeping up with the elements of the story and its characters. (I'll be teaching a session on "The Notebook" at the Novel Writers Retreat in October, held at Ridgecrest in the Blue Ridge Mountains.)

8. Do you have any other talents o r hobbies you would like to share?

Well, I can pick up just about anything with my toes. :)

I studied dance for a great number of years. Was a choreographer for a mime-drama ministry ... that's a talent, right?

9. What’s next on your schedule?

It's 11:01 p.m. I'm going to bed! (But tomorrow, I'll be working on my new series of novels for Baker: Return to Cedar Key series. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH YOU!!

Thank YOU for taking the time to share with us. We look forward to reading more from you in the future!

Eva Marie Everson is also the co-author of the Potluck Catering series. If you would like an opportunity to win Things Left Unspoken along with Book One in the catering series, comment to this post by August 7,2009. (Or you can just comment about the interview.)