YA author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler is chatting with me about her new realistic fiction novel, Whispering Through Water.
Bio:
Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler was raised in West Point, a small town in the Tidewater region of Virginia From the moment she submitted her first short story to a young author’s contest in second grade, Rebecca knew she wanted to be a writer. Her love of writing led her to earn a BA in English and an MEd in English education. She spent several years as a high school teacher, during which she also developed a passion for mental health advocacy. Rebecca completed an MA in professional counseling and now works in school based mental health and as college adjunct psychology instructor.
Rebecca also teaches yoga for the young and the young at heart, and she likes to infuse yoga and breathwork in her counseling practice wherever she can. She believes the most valuable use of her time is teaching youth how to love and care for each other and the world around them. Her stories share this focus on positive relationships and a love of nature. Rebecca now lives in Durham, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and two spoiled Siamese cats.
Welcome, Rebecca. Please tell us about your current release.
The coming-of-age story follows Gwyn Madison, the summer after her high school graduation, as she grapples with her fast-approaching future. She’ll have to face more than she bargained for with her Aunt Delia, the family matriarch, who holds the purse strings and the final word. In the meantime, Gwyn stumbles upon a tightly held family secret. Could a mysterious letter provide Gwyn the leverage she desires? Will it only bring more family division? Or, maybe, the past was never meant to stay buried after all. Whispering Through Water navigates family dynamics, young love, and female autonomy with a little 1990s nostalgia.
What inspired you to write this book?
I have always been interested in the concept of the “Generation Gap”. If you are a reader of history, historical fiction, or even just talked with your grandmother, there are qualities that transcend generational divide: the distinctly human drive for autonomy and agency to determine one’s own future. The lengths we will go to in order to maintain agency, and the despair we feel when we cannot. The ability to achieve autonomy is impacted by cultural norms and sometimes puts us at odds with those we love.
This is from the “Author’s Note” and it does contain spoilers:
I first became interested in the stories of women who were forced to surrender babies for adoption when I heard an NPR interview of Ann Fessler discussing her book The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade (2006). I immediately bought a copy of the book. It was an emotional read. One that I had to read in small chunks, but then couldn’t put it down. Delia’s story evolved from reading Fessler’s book. I thought it would be interesting to have her niece discover the truth, which allowed me to explore the generation gap further.
Excerpt from Whispering Through Water:
Chapter 5 The Upstairs Room
Uncle Beckett looked up from the counter, his brown eyes growing deeper. “Well, Gwynnie.” He rubbed his palm against the stair rail. “There’s more to Delia than appears on the surface. I know you two aren’t on the best of terms right now. I just wanted you to understand her a bit better before you left. Family fights, but family can reconcile too. Maybe, one day, the thing you have in common will bring you together.”
“You mean art.”
“Yes, at least that’s my hope.”
I smiled, without words to respond. Maybe the sadness that occasionally slipped into Aunt Delia’s eyes had something to do with the paintings. I hoped the price of becoming an adult wasn’t letting go of your passions for what the world deemed the more appropriate choice. Work, discipline, decorum, that’s all I knew my aunt to be. Maybe I was wrong, or maybe I only saw what she wanted me to see.
In the quiet of the moment, the gentle ticking of the clock amplified. Hanging above the bookcase of biographies, a silhouette of Shakespeare filled the center of the clockface. If I stared at old William long enough, his lips would rhythmically repeat tick tock. My uncle’s gaze followed mine to land on the clock.
“Gwynnie, aren’t you supposed to be at work in 10 minutes?”
“Oh,” I said, my eyes darting quickly from the clock to my uncle and back. “Love you. I’ll see you at home.”
I waved, slammed the door behind me, and ran the three blocks to the florist, clutching the glass ornament so it wouldn’t slip out of my hands.
What exciting project are you working on next?
My second picture book When Mama Grows with Me will be released in Spring 2023. Watch my socials and website for the cover reveal and release date!
In When Mama Grows with Me, a mama and her son create their own garden, starting with just a few small seeds and ending with a beautiful display of flowers. They observe how pollinators help the earth stay healthy, learn how to care for plants, and meet other critters that live in their garden, all while playfully shaping their bodies into yoga poses inspired by nature. Not only do Mama and her son learn valuable lessons about their garden, but along the way, they also learn to practice patience.
By pairing lessons with movement, Rebecca Wheeler helps young readers make connections between the natural world and their own emotional experiences. Learn the value of patience and practice some fun yoga poses in this beautifully illustrated children’s book.
Includes a step-by-step guide to each yoga pose!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
In the second grade, my teacher Ms. Hodge submitted my book The Funny Cat to the Young Author’s contest, and I won first place. Ever since then, the one true thing I knew about myself was that I was a writer. I wasn’t a little girl who imagined my wedding, kids, or my future house, instead I imagined publishing books.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I work a day job full-time. I began as a high school teacher (English and Psychology), and then became a counselor along the way. Currently I work in school based mental health. I also have two kids: a toddler and a pre-teen. I tend to write in longer stretches at night, but during the day if I come up with a great line, I will write it in my phone notes.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Ever since I was a kid, I got really bad motion sickness, which means I cannot write or read in the car at all. On long road trips as a child, I would write storylines in my head and visualize them like a movie. I became really good at remembering those imagined stories that I could write them down later when I wasn’t moving!
It’s a skill that I still put to use. I can run dialogue in my head while sitting in a car pool line, making efficient use of time while keeping myself entertained!
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be one of the humans who lived on Sesame Street.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I have the George Eliot quote “It’s never too late to be who you might have been” on my bedroom wall. It serves as a reminder that you are allowed to reinvent yourself anytime you choose, and those dreams of your youth are still reachable. I hope my readers are also able to feel that in my work.
Links:
Website | Instagram | Twitter | Barnes and Noble | Indibooks | Amazon | Flyleaf Books
Blog Tour Calendar
January 9th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. We interview the author and give away a copy of the book to one lucky reader. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
January 10th @ Mindy McGinnis’ blog
Visit Mindy’s blog to read Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler’s guest post about things she’s learned about the author and editor relationship. https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog
January 10th @ Rockin’ Book Reviews
Visit Lu Ann’s blog for her review of Whispering Through Water. You also have the chance to win a copy of the book! https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
January 11th HERE!
January 12th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Join Anthony as he shares his thoughts about Whispering Through Water. https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
January 13th @ A Storybook World
Deirdre features Whispering Through Water in a book spotlight. https://www.astorybookworld.com/
January 14th @ Just Katherine
Katherine treats us to an excerpt of Whispering Through Water. https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
January 15th @ Reading is My Remedy
Join Chelsie for a review of Whispering Through Water. https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
January 16th @ One Writer’s Journey
Sue shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about how her graduate program in counseling helped her write fiction. https://suebe.wordpress.com/
January 18th @ Word Magic
Fiona spotlights Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
January 19th @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
Visit Joan’s blog for her insights about Whispering Through Water. https://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/
January 21st @ Life According to Jamie
Visit Jamie’s blog for her thoughts about Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. https://lifeaccordingtojamie.com/
January 24th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Join Anthony as he shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about her different processes when writing young adult versus picture books. https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
January 26th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole reviews the book Whispering Through Water. https://worldofmyimagination.com
January 27th @ Storeybook Reviews
Come by Leslie’s blog and read her review of Whispering Through Water. https://storeybookreviews.com/
January 28th @ Reading is My Remedy
Cheslie shares a guest post from Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about gardening. https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
February 1st @ Beverley A. Baird
Join Beverley as she reviews Whispering Through Water. https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
February 2nd @ Celticlady’s Reviews
Check out a book spotlight of Whispering Through Water. A must-read book to add to your collection! https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/
February 2nd @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog and read her review of Whispering Through Water. http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
February 3rd @ Beverley A. Baird
Visit Beverley’s blog again for a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about growing up in a small town. https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
February 5th @ The Mommies Reviews
Join Glenda as she reviews Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. https://themommiesreviews.com/
February 6th @ One Writer’s Journey
Sue will be interviewing Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. Learn more about this prolific writer! https://suebe.wordpress.com/
February 7th @ Liberate and Lather
Join Angela as she reviews Whispering Through Water. She also shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about simple things to do at home to be more eco-friendly. https://liberateandlather.com/
February 9th @ Chapter Break
Julie interviews author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about books, writing, life, and more. https://chapterbreak.net/
February 10th @ From the TBR Pile
Visit Kari’s blog for a review of Whispering Through Water. https://fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com/
February 11th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Visit Linda’s blog for an in-depth interview with author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler and her book Whispering Through Water. https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/