What makes this novel different from others written about race?

I thought it would be interesting to explore intraracial and race relations through the eyes of a young mixed-race girl as she comes of age in the late 1960s civil right era in Kentucky. The aspect of intraracial racism is not spoken of very much in the African American community. Colorism is a “thing,” but for me, how it shapes the nature and maturity of a young girl of mixed race during that period was intriguing to examine. It didn’t hurt to raise the stakes by adding a touch of the sinister for interest. Exploring how the tensions of events are resolved gave me an avenue to bring a message that speaks to our times. 

What compelled you to write this story?

So little has been written about how we treat each other regarding skin color and ethnicity within our racial communities. I don’t think we see how that mirrors the way we treat others who are different from ourselves. Bullying is a vehicle from which discrimination can hide behind, and so is disinterest. It starts from within. With the social issues we struggle with today, I hope the story resonates and gives us pause to question just how much this issue of race is or is not the biggest obstacle to overcome. I hope it tells us that what we “overcome” is how we see ourselves reflected in how we treat others. It’s an age-old cliché, but I think it needs to be revisited. I wanted to tackle this issue by telling a story from another perspective. I hope it reminds us how persevering in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds is the most prescient issue of all, regardless of the obstacles that get in our way.  

Why did you choose an actual small town for the location of your story instead of a fictitious one?

At first, it was a struggle to determine the setting for the events in this story. I knew the location should be in the South. Kentucky is one of those states considered to straddle the North and South. Because of that perspective, I thought it would best illustrate the dichotomy of both sides of the coin as far as race is concerned.  Kentucky has a rich history, and I love Paris. In that small town, there weren’t the proverbial railroad tracks that separated the races; there was a hill. On top of that hill is where similarities could be found. I wanted to use that as a metaphor, and for me, Paris, Kentucky, was the perfect town to set this story.

You speak of dichotomies. How important is this theme in your story?

I believe there is something to be said about life’s yin-yang philosophy. Love versus hate, yes versus no, up versus down, black versus white, etcetera. Opposite elements are part of life. It keeps us in check and balances our choice of consequences, in this case, good versus evil. The evil aspect is an element I wanted to interject into this story to highlight the internal struggle, despite so much good. I wanted to show the ugly of man in all its hideousness and the ability to find redemption if there is one. The supernatural or spiritual component in the story is not the main focus, of course, but it serves as a backdrop to life’s mysteries and gives a slightly hidden glimpse of what lies within us. I believe it’s inherent in man to struggle with that constant search to do good when evil calls us to do bad things.  

Is this why you used a Prologue in your book?

Yes. I understand it’s a literary device we don’t see used in fiction as much anymore. I chose it as a vehicle to introduce the evil thread that runs through the story. Apart from the central characters, bad and good can be seen as additional characters. There are two protagonists, one being the main character and two antagonists. The dichotomy reference is relevant there as well.   

What is the moral of this story or lessons you hope readers learn?

In this raw, gritty, authentic, and heartwarming tale lies a timely message that I believe needs to be told and a message I hope resonates with today’s reader. I hope the reader understands how one tiny spark, event, or circumstance can change much of what we deal with daily. I think we can apply much of what occurs in this book to our lives, past and present. Unfortunately, man’s inhumanity to man is a constant. I believe it’s how we rise above that frailty and the beneficial consequences it brings that matter most. God’s grace is always with us. I want to think that what we have struggled through as a people and as a nation and the resulting relationships we have with each other are not as bad as we think. We have come so far together. It wasn’t perfect back then; nothing ever is. But I think if we can reclaim some of what we had and apply it to how we live with each other today, we’d be on our way to healing the rift that has torn our country, if not the world, apart.

I hope it isn’t too late. 

Interviews:

Women in Ministry with Pastor Leslie Bishop-Joe: https://www.facebook.com/womeninministryLBJ/videos/711552963948501

Question and Answer Interview with Boulder Bookstore on my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DonnaMarieLawrence712/playlists and on their YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuwfqLhgowk&t=2s