Welcome
to a visit with author Anita Higman as she shares the background to
her story, Home at Last.
How long
have you known you wanted to be an author?
Growing
up I longed to be a writer. When I was very young (I don’t remember
my age) I started working on a novel about a man from Mars who wanted
to go to college in New York. I never finished that novel, but it
left an impression on me. I knew deep down that writing was my dream,
even though I didn’t get around to fulfilling it until I was in my
thirties.
When a
reader finishes Home at Last, what do you want them to come
away with?
I
would love for them to be inspired, challenged, and entertained. If I
accomplished even one of those things I would feel my writing time
wasn’t wasted.
Where
did you come up with the idea for the story, Home at Last?
The
inspiration came from watching the latest movie version of Jane
Eyre over and over and over. I love that story. I read Jane
Eyre a few months ago, and I was truly awed by Charlotte Bronte’s
writing. I high recommend it if you’ve never read this masterpiece.
Any
hobbies you especially enjoy?
I
love decorating. I know that sounds awfully girly, but it’s
exciting to see the right drapes and the right colors and flooring
and accessories all come together to make a pleasant room—a place
where you want to spend time and a place you want to share with your
family and friends.
Home
at Last deals with orphans and abandonment. Those are elements
that show up frequently in your work. Why is that?
There
were times growing up that I felt lonely and abandoned. But instead
of sharing all of these details of my past in interviews, I infuse my
novels with those intense emotional memories. That is one of the many
blessings of creating art—to be able to sift through, study, and
then hopefully, through the miracle of writing, let go of some of the
painful pieces and burdensome baggage of our pasts.
If you
could have dinner with two special people, who would they be?
Josh
Groban, because his music inspires me, and Leif Enger, because I love
the way he writes.
What are
the fun things about a book signing? The uncomfortable parts?
If
I’ve invited friends, it’s always great to see them and catch up.
If strangers trickle by, and I’m able to tell them about my book,
or if I can encourage them in some way I feel like the book signing
was successful. The uncomfortable parts can be when people
automatically think you’re an employee at the bookstore and ask
where the restroom is located. Too many of those kinds of responses
can lower the level of enthusiasm significantly. Before I head into a
book signing, I usually pray, and the prayer goes something like,
“Lord, if the sales are wonderful help me not to become haughty
about it, and if the sales aren’t so wonderful please help me not
to become discouraged.”
Home
at Last also deals with dysfunctional families, estrangement, and
then also forgiveness and reconciliation. Why do you gravitate toward
those themes?
Because
they are powerful and compelling themes, and because they are ones I
understand on a personal level.
You’ve
been published, so what do you dream of now?
I
would love to have one of my books made into a movie. In the process,
I’d like for these stories to entertain as well as inspire people
to see that God cares for them deeply and that His gift of grace is a
present just waiting to be opened.
How can
readers connect with you?
Please
feel free to stop by my website at www.anitahigman.com or chat with me on
my Facebook Reader Page at
https://www.facebook.com/#!/AuthorAnitaHigman
Thank
you very much, Anita, for stopping by today on this cold winter day! Blessings to you and happy writing!! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill
House
Oh wow, thanks for providing that video. I wept this morning, tears of joy to see it. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteAnita Higman
And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
DeleteThank you for featuring Anita. I loved her book A Marriage In Middlebury and I am looking forward to reading Home At Last.
ReplyDeleteI also want to thank you for the video. I was very Blessed hearing it.
Blessings to you both.
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Jackie, We are so blessed by His presence lifting us up and using us with the giftings He has given to each of us. I, too, agree; wonderful open author to explore man's frailities. http://lanehillhouse.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-marriage-in-middlebury-by-anita.html and http://lanehillhouse.blogspot.com/2013/08/winter-in-full-bloom-by-anita-higman.html leaving her books with thoughts of introspection. That is what iron sharpening iron should do. Thank you for your comments, Jackie ~ and to Anita for her interview. Kathleen
DeleteFabulous interview! Thanks, Kathleen. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Anita. :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend. xx
Wow! Where did this week go? We are at our next weekend already! Yes, I too looked forward to Anita's answers. So enjoyable to hear "the rest of the story." Courtesy to others sure stood out and something to remember when we are in a hurry. Blessings to you, dear kindred heart, Dotti. Kathleen
DeleteWonderful interview, Kathleen and Anita! I thoroughly enjoyed each question and answer. I haven't read any of Anita's books but they sound great. The first time I heard that particular Josh Groban song was when he debuted on GMA back in 2001. My mom had just passed away and I wept tears as I listened to the words. Thanks for sharing a bit of your personal story, Anita. BTW - that's my mom's name too :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, until we are all home at last! Kathleen
Delete