Is Havener, Illinois a real town?
It is a fictional place. Havener is set near
the Mississippi River, as I am in awe of this
river. Havener is a family name, and it
seemed a perfect name since a house
can be a haven. Because I was born in
Illinois I wanted the story to have the flavor
of this state, of the natural landscape
and the people.
Is it your house on the cover of the book?
Laura Fortin, a creative graphic designer, worked with
me in getting the house to be true to the fantasy house
in the story, but it is not our real house or setting. Our
actual house does have many trees around it, but not a
forest. Since I have always wanted to live in the woods,
I could in my fictional story. That’s what so wonderful
about fiction!
Can you share more about your 1906 cottage
house? Our house has quite a story about how we
discovered it, bought it for $1 and had it moved. It took
so much faith, in ourselves and in something greater, to
believe we could save a house and plan a house move.
Then it took a good house mover to move it and all our
energy to renovate the home ourselves. As I reflect on
the value of preservation that our house helped me to
understand, and how our house on wheels inspired my
novel, I’m grateful to our old home.
How did you find out about Hibbing Minnesota?
This story humors me, as I discovered Hibbing from a
children’s book I read to my daughter. I just happened
to find it at our local library. But if I tell you the title, it
will spoil part of the surprise in my book. When you
read the novel you will see two references to this
children’s book in The Stolen House of Light.
Are all the house moves in the book real?
All of them are true, except the one that is described in
detail. Readers can travel to see some of the unique
places I have referenced and learn about the fascinating
history of house moving. Ft. Worth, Texas has a House
Moving Museum, and you can visit additional historic
places, some relating to the Underground Railroad, that
I refer to in the appendix.
Why did you write about the Underground
Railroad?
Since first learning about Harriet Tubman in school
I have been fascinated by the Underground Railroad.
(UGRR). I wanted to pay tribute, through fiction, to
the courageous people during that time period. Today
I still meet people who have not heard of the UGRR,
so I wanted to highlight this time in American history.
It is a fictional place. Havener is set near
the Mississippi River, as I am in awe of this
river. Havener is a family name, and it
seemed a perfect name since a house
can be a haven. Because I was born in
Illinois I wanted the story to have the flavor
of this state, of the natural landscape
and the people.
Is it your house on the cover of the book?
Laura Fortin, a creative graphic designer, worked with
me in getting the house to be true to the fantasy house
in the story, but it is not our real house or setting. Our
actual house does have many trees around it, but not a
forest. Since I have always wanted to live in the woods,
I could in my fictional story. That’s what so wonderful
about fiction!
Can you share more about your 1906 cottage
house? Our house has quite a story about how we
discovered it, bought it for $1 and had it moved. It took
so much faith, in ourselves and in something greater, to
believe we could save a house and plan a house move.
Then it took a good house mover to move it and all our
energy to renovate the home ourselves. As I reflect on
the value of preservation that our house helped me to
understand, and how our house on wheels inspired my
novel, I’m grateful to our old home.
How did you find out about Hibbing Minnesota?
This story humors me, as I discovered Hibbing from a
children’s book I read to my daughter. I just happened
to find it at our local library. But if I tell you the title, it
will spoil part of the surprise in my book. When you
read the novel you will see two references to this
children’s book in The Stolen House of Light.
Are all the house moves in the book real?
All of them are true, except the one that is described in
detail. Readers can travel to see some of the unique
places I have referenced and learn about the fascinating
history of house moving. Ft. Worth, Texas has a House
Moving Museum, and you can visit additional historic
places, some relating to the Underground Railroad, that
I refer to in the appendix.
Why did you write about the Underground
Railroad?
Since first learning about Harriet Tubman in school
I have been fascinated by the Underground Railroad.
(UGRR). I wanted to pay tribute, through fiction, to
the courageous people during that time period. Today
I still meet people who have not heard of the UGRR,
so I wanted to highlight this time in American history.
Why a fictional diary in the book?
I am not alone in wishing there was more
documentation about the Underground Railroad. It was
not safe to keep written records about this secret
movement, especially after 1850 and the Fugitive Slave
Law. Since there are very few diaries about the UGRR I
had a desire to create one, which is the beauty of
fiction: creating something from imagination. I wrote a
fantasy diary by a woman from the 1800s who used her
home as a stop on the UGRR. I imagine her hiding her
book under the floorboards. Having been a long time
journal writer, the idea for a diary came naturally.
Why was the main character homeless as a child?
When I researched homelessness worldwide, the
numbers shocked me. Since I have worked in social
service and I have an interest in development work in
other nations, I wanted a story that would include social
issues. It was rewarding to weave together the three
main themes: house moving, homelessness, and the
Underground Railroad, into a fictional story.
Were you ever homeless?
I think readers often wonder about the life of a writer. No,
I am fortunate that I have never been homeless but I feel
compassion for anyone without a home and without
people to help. We were fortunate to have my mother,
neighbors, and our Indian friends to help when we
moved and renovated our house. How do you ever repay
people who extend their hand so generously? Not
everyone has this support when it is needed. I hope my
book will do some good with the issue of homelessness
in the U.S. and worldwide.
Why are Bangladesh and India part of your story?
Having lived in Bangladesh many years ago I feel a
kinship with the countryside and its people. I also have
known a number of Bengalis and many east Indians over
the years and I have learned a great deal from the
cultural exchange and friendship. I have learned that the
immigrant experience is complex and I wanted to write
about it while celebrating diversity.
How is your story about American culture?
America is a diverse nation with a complex immigrant
heritage as well as a profound American Indian history.
This culture continues to change and evolve, and I
wanted to capture some of the good values of American
people from various heritages. Having lived and traveled
abroad, and having met many people who did not know
the America I knew, I hope my novel gives a unique and
different viewpoint on American complexities, history,
and aspirations.
I am not alone in wishing there was more
documentation about the Underground Railroad. It was
not safe to keep written records about this secret
movement, especially after 1850 and the Fugitive Slave
Law. Since there are very few diaries about the UGRR I
had a desire to create one, which is the beauty of
fiction: creating something from imagination. I wrote a
fantasy diary by a woman from the 1800s who used her
home as a stop on the UGRR. I imagine her hiding her
book under the floorboards. Having been a long time
journal writer, the idea for a diary came naturally.
Why was the main character homeless as a child?
When I researched homelessness worldwide, the
numbers shocked me. Since I have worked in social
service and I have an interest in development work in
other nations, I wanted a story that would include social
issues. It was rewarding to weave together the three
main themes: house moving, homelessness, and the
Underground Railroad, into a fictional story.
Were you ever homeless?
I think readers often wonder about the life of a writer. No,
I am fortunate that I have never been homeless but I feel
compassion for anyone without a home and without
people to help. We were fortunate to have my mother,
neighbors, and our Indian friends to help when we
moved and renovated our house. How do you ever repay
people who extend their hand so generously? Not
everyone has this support when it is needed. I hope my
book will do some good with the issue of homelessness
in the U.S. and worldwide.
Why are Bangladesh and India part of your story?
Having lived in Bangladesh many years ago I feel a
kinship with the countryside and its people. I also have
known a number of Bengalis and many east Indians over
the years and I have learned a great deal from the
cultural exchange and friendship. I have learned that the
immigrant experience is complex and I wanted to write
about it while celebrating diversity.
How is your story about American culture?
America is a diverse nation with a complex immigrant
heritage as well as a profound American Indian history.
This culture continues to change and evolve, and I
wanted to capture some of the good values of American
people from various heritages. Having lived and traveled
abroad, and having met many people who did not know
the America I knew, I hope my novel gives a unique and
different viewpoint on American complexities, history,
and aspirations.
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| Copyright 2009 |
