Into the Free (30 page)

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Tell us about your experience writing this book. How did Millie find her voice?

When our family moved to Mississippi, I spent some time researching the region. I read about the Rose Hill Cemetery in Meridian, Mississippi, where many Romany travelers have been buried. Our family traveled to see this historic site, and I was especially interested in the tombstone of Queen Kelly (aka Callie) Mitchell. The stories of these travelers vary quite a bit depending on the source, but the idea of travelers sharing this region fascinated me. I began reading everything I could find about travelers in the South and realized that although I had spent my entire childhood in Louisiana, I was completely unaware that travelers shared this land with me. I figured there was more to be learned, so I decided to write a fictional account of the travelers. I planned to fill in all those blanks in recorded history by simply making it up! How fun! So I sat down to write a novel about a Romany woman who traveled across the south during the Great Depression. I still think that would be a fascinating story, but when I sat down to write it, it wasn’t the voice of a Romany woman that I heard. Instead, I saw a clear image of a local Mississippi woman. She was obviously depressed, scared, poor, and hopeless. She was standing on her porch watching the group of travelers leaving town. She wanted to leave with them, but she was too afraid to take that first step.

So I sat down to write a novel about this desperate woman who longed to escape her miserable life by leaving town with the “gypsies.” But it wasn’t her voice I heard either. Instead, I heard the voice of a little girl. She was the daughter of the woman on the porch, and she was watching her mother from the limbs of a tree, telling me about her mother, and about the travelers, and about everything she observed in her small Mississippi town. That little girl was named Millie, and
Into the Free
is her story.

What parts of the story were most enjoyable to write? Which were most difficult?

I absolutely loved writing this entire story. It’s always been on my bucket list to write a novel, and once Millie started telling me her story the words flowed seamlessly. Within four months, I had written a book. Sounds easy, right? Not so fast! I was lucky to find a wonderful agent (Greg Johnson) and a fabulous publishing house (David C Cook), but once the contract was signed, I had to wait a long time for the publication date. That was the hardest part for me. I’m not a patient gal.

I guess the other hard part has been letting it go. It’s absolutely terrifying to send this out into the universe. My children are still young and at home with me, but I imagine this is training me for the day they leave the nest.

The editorial phase was a wonderful learning process for me. I have grown so much as an author, and while I hope to improve with every book I write, I certainly feel better equipped to write the next one, thanks in full to the amazing readers and editors who shaped this book into what it is today. If only I could continue improving it. I don’t know that I’d ever get to the point where I could put it down and say, “It’s as good as it can be.” Maybe I’ll experience that with the sequel … only time will tell.

In particular, I learned a lot about writing historical fiction. I thought I had been diligent in my research, but the extraordinarily talented copy editor Renada Arens worked her magic through this book and taught me to examine each and every word for historical accuracy. I learned so much from her and still find myself looking at every word and wondering when it entered the English language and how it has evolved. She taught me to really travel through time into an era I never got to experience, and it’s been a delightful journey.

I’m sure I still got many things wrong and will hear from readers who are much brighter than I am, but I look forward to those comments because that means I’ll continue learning long after this project is complete.

Was there an alternate ending?

Yes, the ending has changed many times as I struggled with deciding where to end the book. There’s a lot left to Millie’s story, but we opted to end
Into the Free
at this point and continue sharing Millie with readers in a sequel. I sure hope you’ll come back to find out what happens next!

What do you hope readers remember long after they’ve finished the book?

I have grown to love Millie. She feels as real to me as the people in my life. It sounds a little hokeypokey, but I really do hope readers love her as much as I do. In fact, I hope all of my characters make their mark in the minds of readers.

When I read, I love to come away from a book feeling as if I’ve seen the world from another person’s point of view. I want to close that book with a better understanding of opinions that may or may not fall in line with my own. I want to come away with a sense of personal growth.

While it takes a team of finely skilled craftsmen to prepare a book for publication, I still believe literature is a creative art. Like any work of art, each individual will take from it what is needed. That experience should differ for every reader, and I didn’t write this book to present any specific moral lesson. I suppose if there is one primary thought I want readers to consider, it’s that our choices matter. Every single one of them.

Millie and many other characters love to read. What are some of your favorite books and authors?

This is a tough question for me. It’s like asking me to choose my favorite child. It’s not possible. I am an avid reader and I enjoy a broad range of authors and genres, so it’s difficult for me to narrow it down. However, a few names come to mind consistently. Barbara Kingsolver, Jeannette Walls, Mark Richard, Adriana Trigiani, Brennan Manning, Jon Krakauer, Michael Ondaatje, Wally Lamb, David Sedaris, Harper Lee, Louise Erdrich, Anne Lamott, Astrid Lindgren, Mark Twain, Bruce Machart, Malcolm Gladwell, Sue Monk Kidd, Hillary Jordan, and Dr. Seuss. See? I’m all over the place.

As for a book, my all-time favorite is
The Poisonwood Bible
by Barbara Kingsolver, followed by
The Samurai’s Garden
by Gail Tsukiyama, and
Little Bee
by Chris Cleave. Sara Gruen’s
Water for Elephants
is up there with the best of them, and Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series makes me laugh on every page. Of course, I also have to include
Pippi Longstocking
by Astrid Lindgren, and a work of creative nonfiction by River Jordan called
Praying for Strangers,
as well as
Ellen Foster
by Kaye Gibbons.

I also love the American classics
The Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird,
and
Their Eyes Were Watching God.
I’ve read
The Awakening
by Kate Chopin too many times to count, as well as everything by Ann Patchett and Joan Didion. I also love to read Beth Ann Fennelly’s works, but hearing her read them is even better. I’ll be slain for admitting it, but I loved James Frey’s
A Million Little Pieces.
Just read it as a novel instead of a memoir and you’ll likely appreciate his gift. And I think Suzanne Collins reaches commercial perfection with her Hunger Games series.

I’m a nerd, but I also love to read screenplays, my favorites being
Crash, Good Will Hunting,
and
Juno.

But please don’t ask me to analyze characters or quote favorite verses from any of these works I’ve mentioned. Unlike River’s character, I have an awful memory and find each reread as delightful as the first. Just start with Pippi. She’s sure to bring smiles to all.

For deleted scenes, playlists, recipes, as well as information about Romany travelers, the Choctaw Nation, and the early American rodeo, visit
www.juliecantrell.com
.

JUST FOR BOOK CLUBS

You know how it feels to watch a tearjerker film, see a double-overtime championship game, or stay up all night reading a page-turner novel? It feels so amazing, you can’t wait to tell your friends about it! That’s what I love about book clubs. There’s nothing better than gathering with friends to share laughs and literature, especially when you add some yummy treats to the mix!

I’m lucky to be a member of a wonderful book club in my hometown of Oxford, Mississippi, and I encourage you to take part in a book club as well. If there’s not one open to new participants in your area, start your own.

In October, I was honored to visit the Beach Babes Book Club in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for a special premiere of
Into the Free.
The Beach Babes were the first book club to read
Into the Free.
I had so much fun hearing their reactions to Millie’s story, I decided to do it again in Colorado. And again in Mississippi. But that made me think … why stop there?

While I can’t possibly visit all the book clubs that select
Into the Free
as their monthly read, a video chat session sure would be fun! It’s my way of thanking you for choosing Millie’s story from all the others on the shelves.

For more information and lots of fun extras, visit
www.juliecantrell.com
or find me on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/juliecantrellauthor
.

Happy reading!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Writing this portion of the book is proving to be much more difficult than writing the entire novel. So many people have offered support, kindness, assistance, and advice. I can only hope I’ve managed to let each of you know how much every thoughtful act has meant to me. I sincerely thank you.

I cannot possibly list every person who impacted my life during this project, but a few deserve special attention.

First, I offer tremendous thanks to Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary. I am humbled to have Greg represent me, and I thank him for taking the chance on two unknown Mississippi girls (both Millie and me). Greg, with all the successful clients you represent, I am still shocked you even glanced twice at my query. Yet you’ve never once made me feel less important than those seasoned authors. You and your sweet wife, Becky, have made me feel welcome not only in this industry but in your own home. I can’t imagine anyone I’d rather have had behind the wheel than you. Thank you.

I also believe we couldn’t have landed with a better publishing house. To all the folks at David C Cook who have worked behind the scenes to see this story through from the start, I thank you. In particular, this book would never have made it into the world without the support of John Blase, who could have chosen any of the countless number of proposals crossing his desk, but he chose Millie. John, I never dreamed someone so highly regarded in the publishing world would ever tell me, “I loved this book!” I’ll never forget your encouraging words, and I’ll never be able to thank you enough for giving me this opportunity. Thanks to you, I am living a dream.

Tons of thanks also to the extraordinary Don Pape, a kind and gentle leader who has made this journey joyful in every way. To Ingrid Beck, a fabulously patient and polite editor who fights on the front line at Cook and who has always made me feel a part of the team. And to Amy Konyndyk and Jeff Miller for designing one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. I can’t imagine having to sum up an entire book in one image, and you captured it perfectly. Thank you!

Big thanks also to Nicci Jordan Hubert for making Millie sparkle. Your kind phone calls and editorial comments enabled me to listen not only to Millie but to all of the characters in her world. You taught me to look in all directions and to “cut my darlings.” Thank you for taking this journey with me and for adding stars and moons to this little universe.

Thanks also to Renada Arens, copy editor extraordinaire. Renada, you saw this book through to the finish line and kept me pushing forward during the final stretch. Thank you for your meticulous eye and your endless support. You are now one of my absolutest, mostest, bestest, favoritist people on the planet. (I wrote that sentence just to see how you would edit it. Admiration runs deep!)

The publishing process involves so many people, and each step is as important as the next. But even after the book is written, edited, designed, and printed, it must be sold and marketed in order to reach the reader. This is no easy task. I am incredibly grateful to Ginia Hairston, Karen Stoller, Marilyn Largent, and the entire David C Cook sales and marketing team for helping this book land in the hands of many. I also extend sincere appreciation to the buyers at bookstores in both the CBA and ABA markets for finding room for Millie’s story on your shelves. And I am thankful for you, the readers, who have chosen to spend your time in Millie’s world. Every time you turn another page, share this story with others, or pass the book to a friend, Millie’s voice becomes a little stronger. For that, I thank you.

To Sara Bibb and Ingrid Schneider for terrific technical help in the midst of complete chaos. Your patience with me was beyond human, and for that I will always be grateful. And to Jeane Wynn, of Wynn-Wynn Media, for taking care of absolutely everything and topping it with a bow! You are delightful in every way, and it’s a pure pleasure to rest under your umbrella.

From the start, this book involved quite a bit of research. It all began with a single newspaper article printed in 1915 about a Romany queen who was buried in Meridian, Mississippi. Her name was Kelly (aka Callie) Mitchell, and the
Meridian Dispatch
reported an elaborate funeral much like the one described during the storyteller scene. I thank the Romany people for inspiring this novel and for letting your fascinating history weave its way through Millie’s life. I also thank Dr. Frank O. Clark (and Romany travelers who prefer to remain anonymous) for sharing factual information and answering questions about this fascinating culture.

Tremendous thanks to the City of Meridian, Mississippi, the Historic Preservation Commission, and the Lauderdale County Department of Archives and History. Many people in Meridian helped me with the research for this book, but special thanks are extended to Kathleen Coker, Leslie Joyner, Anne McKee, W. Walton Moore Jr., and Tommy and Martha Spears. Also thanks to Gary Hardin, Natural Resource Specialist, for taking time to make Mississippi waterways less murky for me.

To James Parrish and Eleanor Caldwell with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for your time and assistance in translation. I am honored to claim Choctaw roots in my family tree, and I thank you for pointing me in the right direction as I longed to learn more about tribal customs.

Also, thanks to Dr. Volodymyr Samoylenko for correcting my rusty Russian over late-night karaoke.

To science librarian Buffy Choinski and director of the University of Mississippi Drug Information Center, Dr. Rachel Robinson, for answering last-minute questions that eased me through panic mode on deadline day. After weeks of searching all around the globe, I realized all the answers were mere footsteps away on the beautiful campus of Ole Miss where you and many of the world’s leading research scientists welcomed my inquiries with kindness.

For patiently answering endless questions about old trucks and tractors, I will always be in the debt of Gina and Ron Beltz, Dean Glorso, Louis Nash, and Jere Nash Jr. Your knowledge is impressive, and I thank you for giving me the details I needed to enter these scenes. Gina, you are such an amazing friend. There’s a big, warm spot in my heart just for you!

Thanks also to Susan and Pat Bradley not only for your friendship but also for connecting me with the Spears family in Meridian and for providing crucial historic details.

I also thank David Carter of Double C Ranch in Natchez, Mississippi, a horse whisperer like no other and a man with more character and faith than any I’ve ever known. I’m also proud to say he’s my dear cousin. Thanks, Dave.

Thanks also to Kathy Haynes and Sadie Paslay, two of the most sincere animal experts in the world, and two women I am truly blessed to call friends. For your knowledge and guidance about horses and rodeo, I thank you. For your friendship, I thank you even more.

As with all the facts in this book, any mistakes are mine and no reflection on the experts who so generously offered guidance throughout this process. I’ve learned a lot by writing this debut novel, but there will always be folks who know more. I welcome your comments and look forward to expanding my knowledge even after the book hits shelves.

Thanks to Gay Smith who offered a generous bid to have Mr. Tucker’s character named after her son, Cauy, during a charity benefit to the American Heart Association.

Of course, nothing in my life would mean a thing without my dear husband, Charles, and our two amazing children, Emily and Adam. While they are and always will be my absolute top priority, they selflessly gave me time to distance myself from reality just long enough to give Millie a voice. “THREE!” You are my everything, and I love you through and through.

Like most novels, this story has gone through numerous (um, let’s say
millions
of) drafts. At times it struggled to find its true identity and scrambled its way through awkward, ugly adolescent phases that left us all out of sync. For bearing with me through it all, I thank my friends and early readers, Marie Barnard, Alicia Bouldin, Claire Dobbs, Carol Langendoen, and Lindsey Jones. You saw this story at its worst and loved it anyway. Your gentle notes led me back in the right direction and gave me the fuel I needed to see it through to the end. And … you listened to me talk about this book for years. What good ears you have, my dears!

And then there was Katie Anderson, who Saved the Cat. The world may not know it yet … but I’m declaring to everyone: You are a wonderful writer. And you saved this book.

Somehow we survived those painful stages and the final story emerged, piece by piece, after falling into the nurturing arms of the incredible Mary Ann Bowen. A spunkier woman never there was, and I am privileged to have been granted the meticulous stroke of her pen. Thank you, Mrs. Bowen. You shine such a bright and beautiful light into this world.

As any believer in fairy tales knows, a knight in shining armor always swoops in at the end and saves the day. That would be my friend Patti O’Sullivan, who not only gave me tons of great advice but also helped me fall in love with my characters again. Writing a novel is work, a lot of work, but Patti reminded me that it’s also a lot of fun. Thank you, Patti!

Thanks also to Margaret Seicshnaydre. Margaret, you have an incredible knack for detail (which I lack). Thank you!

To Mom, you have read almost every draft of this book and I can’t imagine how exhausting that must have been. Yet you offered constant support and belief in me. Thank you for always letting me know I am loved and for giving me the confidence to see this through. You are nothing like Millie’s mother, and for that (and many, many other reasons), I love you and I thank you.

Dad, Cora, Josh, and Jessie. I love you all. To the Cantrell Clan and the Carter Crew, I love y’all, too! To Darlene Finch, we couldn’t have asked for a better NoNut. Thanks for always letting me know I mattered, Dordo!

To my getaway gals, Peggy Tubertini and Amber Reichley. Thanks for kidnapping me and forcing me to “Step Away from the Computer!”

To my Read Between the Wines book club, thanks for sharing laughs and literature with me over the years. Cheers!

To the delightful members of the three book groups across the country who volunteered to preview
Into the Free.
I cannot imagine launching this book without you, and each of you will always hold a special place in my soul for being there when my third “child” was born.

To Mary Beth Lagerborg, thank you for giving me my start. I’ll never forget a special phone call more than ten years ago that changed my life. You were the first person to call me a “writer,” for which you have my eternal and infinite gratitude. And to Beth Jusino, who gave me a job writing for
MOMSense,
one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. Beth, you were my first editor (a fantastic one, at that). I thank you for being not only my teacher but my friend. Also to Jackie Alvarez, Mary Darr, and all the folks at MOPS International for many years of fun and support and friendship.

To all the contributors and authors who have shared my love of literature at the
Southern Literary Review.
I learned something new from you every single day. Thank you.

To Jilleen Moore, a dear friend and soul-saver who brings joy to all who know her. I thank you, Jill, for wrapping your heart around me and my children. Also to Frances, Leita, Lisa, Lyn, Paul, Ramona, Richard, and the entire Square Books family for your tremendous support.

To Carroll Chiles Moore, I think you could run the world, sweet Carroll, and I thank you for always taking time for our friendship in the midst of your busy life.

To Sharon Andrews, Angela Atkins, Brandall Atkinson, Amy Beckham, Kim Cohen, Sarah Frances Hardy, Blair Hobbs, Mimi Lilly, and Leighton McCool, thanks for your friendship and advice. Just seeing your names together on the page makes me feel a surge of power. Superwomen, all of you. I bow.

To Daniel and Allison Doyle, two of the most amazingly generous and grounded people on the planet, thanks for your humble spirits and happy smiles. No matter where you roam, always remember … my barn is your barn.

To Bob and Marie Barnard, two bubbly souls, thanks for a wonderful family friendship and for sharing your two minigeniuses with us. I bask in your brilliance and will forever savor the joy of a simple little crawfish question that finally elicited an “I don’t know.” Go figure.

To my coworkers, friends, and students in the Oxford School District, you bring me smiles every day. Thank you for allowing me to work with you and for giving me a job that is beyond rewarding. Also thanks to Neil White of the Nautilus Publishing Company, for freelance work and fatherly advice and for always knowing just what to say to pull me out of a funk. To Warren and Janice Black, Claire Dobbs, and the members of Oxford University United Methodist Church, thanks for giving us a warm and welcoming place to worship and a spiritual community for our children to develop their faith.