Anne Shaw Heinrich: Authors Interviewing Characters

With House of Teeth, Book Three in the captivating world of The Women of Paradise County Series, Anne Shaw Heinrich draws readers back into the complex confines of Poulson, a small town that simmers with unspoken rules, quiet surprises and truths that are hard to contain. 

Just like any young man, Jules Marks is happy as long as his Aunt Sally’s icebox and pantry are stocked with good things to eat. He spends his days working up at the school with his uncle, buffing floors and painting. He’s a quiet one, that Jules. Even though he and his sisters have settled in just fine with Aunt Sally and Uncle Larry, he has a lot on his mind.

He’s keeping a secret for his friend Violet. She left town once everyone in Poulson found out who carved a skull-and-crossbones tattoo on her lower belly.  Jules’ wild mother, Lee, and his feckless father, Lem Hauser, are doing time for that, but they won’t be behind bars forever. 

Somebody’s always got something to say about Jules and the people he loves. Aunt Clarice is nothing but pure gold. When she’s not working all day on her feet up at Slapp’s Diner, she’s over at the house doing something nice for the family, but she is sweet on John Saunders, a married man who likes whiskey and doesn’t give a damn what people think.  Even the Christians have plenty to say when the dentist Don Givens takes on all six Marks mouths at no charge. What on Earth did that bunch from Shakey’s Half do to deserve all they’ve been given?

Feisty old Miss Burns thinks the girls will be lining up to get a look at Jules with his brand new, gleaming smile, but Jules isn’t interested in anyone but Violet. There’s one thing Jules has come to understand as he turns from a hungry boy into a full-grown man ready to make his own way: hearts can be hard one minute and soft as butter the next, and sometimes, the universe serves up its worst and its best all in one day.

Anne interviews Jules:

ASH: Jules, how in the heck did you end up being such an important character in The Women of Paradise County? Isn’t this series about women?

JM: Wow, I never thought too much about that, Mrs. Heinrich. I am surrounded by women, though. My Uncle Larry and I are outnumbered, for sure. I’ve got five little sisters, Aunt Sally, and old Margaret Burns is mighty special, and of course, Aunt Clarice. 

ASH: Aren’t you forgetting somebody, Jules Martin Marks?

JM: Are you asking about Violet?

ASH: You know I’m talking about her, young man. Look at that dimple.

JM: Violet is very special. She’s got a different place in my heart that nobody else can fill. I think about her all the time.

ASH: Have you ever thought about reaching out to her? Who knows? Maybe she’s thinking about you. Did you ever think of that?

JM: You know, Miss Burns said the same thing! I’m thinking about it. I don’t know. She’s a lot better off staying away from Poulson. This place hasn’t been too kind to her.

ASH: If you ask me, it’s not been all that kind to you, Jules. Do you ever think about just hitting the road and starting over somewhere else, far, far away?

JM: Yes. I do think about that, but there’s business to take care of right here. I’ve got little sisters to protect. And with you-know-who running loose after all he’s done, I’m not about to let my guard down. Leaving would hurt Aunt Sally and Uncle Larry something fierce. I know that. They saved all six of us when they got the chance. We wouldn’t be in such a good place now if it wasn’t for them and Aunt Clarice. Miss Burns, too. We’ll never be able to repay them for all they’ve done for us. If I think about it for too long, I get weepy. 

ASH: You know, Jules, it’s okay for men to cry.

JM: I know that. Uncle Larry, he’s the finest man I know, and he’ll cry at the drop of a hat. He’s a weeper, that one. He’s a keeper, Aunt Sally always says. A weeper, but a keeper.

ASH: I know this is a sensitive subject, but I have to ask. It’s not an easy thing, growing up in Shakey’s Half. Aren’t you glad you and the girls have put all that behind you? 

JM: Well, we are glad. Real glad. And thankful. But getting it behind us is harder than you think, especially in this town. We’re not hungry anymore or dirty like we were, but people in town still want to keep us reminded of where we come from. They won’t let you forget. Even church folks seem bothered that we’re living in this great big house with Aunt Sally and Uncle Larry. They don’t think we’ve earned our good luck. They sure pitched a fit when Dr. Givens offered to help us get our teeth whipped into shape. 

ASH: I was meaning to mention that. You look great, by the way. Look at that smile! I bet all the young gals in Poulson have their eyes on you.

JM: Thank you, Mrs. Heinrich. It is mighty nice being able to smile without worrying like we used to do. Our teeth were a mess. I seriously doubt that anybody in town would be too interested in Jules Marks. I got too much Shakey’s Half stink on me. Anyway, I don’t care too much about any girl but Violet.

ASH: What’s so special about her, Jules? I’m sure she’s lovely, but how do you know you’d still have anything to talk about? 

JM: Violet didn’t mind sitting right next to me, even back when there was good chance she could catch my cooties. And I didn’t smell too good, either. Violet didn’t mind one bit. She liked my stories, and I liked hers. She let me show her things I never shared with another soul. And she showed me things and told me things that I’m still holding like I promised I would. She was pretty back then, but I imagine she’s grown some, just like me. I just bet a girl like Violet can’t help but turn beautiful. Nobody knows what we have between us.

ASH: What would be a perfect day for you, Jules? What would you do, and who would be there with you?

JM: I wouldn’t mind just having Aunt Clarice swing by with sacks of burgers and fries and shakes from Slapp’s in her hands. When she’s bringing food for all of us, we have to help her bring it from the car. We could all just sit out there on the front porch. Aunt Sally and Uncle Larry could have their spot on the swing. Kitty would be perched up there, too. We could just eat our dinner out there, me and my girls, and Miss Burns, too. She joins us for just about anything we’re up to over here.

The breeze will be blowing, and we’ll sit out there until the sun goes down. Kitty and Lolly will be darting around in the front yard to catch lightning bugs. Anything left over will be passed along to me. I’m always more than happy to scarf up the scraps. We’ll sit out there and laugh and carry on until Miss Burns stands up and says it’s time for someone to take her home. We don’t need much more than a day like that.

ASH: Jules, are you sure you aren’t forgetting something, someone? Remember this is your perfect day.

JM: Well, yes, there is one more thing. If we’re aiming for perfect, I guess Violet should be there with us, with all of us, sitting right next to me on the step. That step was ours, you know, back when it was just the two of us, holding down all the cares in the world. Yes, for anything to be perfect, Violet will need to be there.

PREORDER HERE

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Anne Shaw Heinrich’s work has been published in numerous outlets, most recently, Writer’s Digest, Education Weekly and Ms. Magazine, as well as The New York Times bestseller The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2: Your Turn (Atria 2006) and Chicken Soup for the Soul’s The Cancer Book: 101 Stories of Courage, Support and Love (2009). Her debut novel, God Bless the Child, was the first in The Women of Paradise County Series published by Speaking Volumes. Learn more at anneshawheinrich.com.

 

 

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing