In A Testy Exchange: Book Character Interviews Her Author

Today, Silstice Trayson, a character in A Tiny Piece of Blue interviews her author Charlotte Whitney. The book is set during the Great Depression in rural Michigan.

Silstice: First, why did you give me such a weird name? “Silstice” is strange and having to go by the nickname Silly was embarrassing and humiliating. After all, I’m a thirteen-year-old girl, sensitive to such labels. You should have understood that and named me Mary, Susan, or Linda—all good depression-era names.

Charlotte: I couldn’t resist the word play. You were born on the winter solstice, but your mother misunderstood the midwife and thought it was the winter “silstice.” She believed it was a pretty name but wasn’t thinking ahead to realize everyone would call you by the nickname “Silly.”

Silstice:  When I hit my all-time low point you gave me more control and I demanded to be called Silstice, not Silly. How did that happen?

Charlotte: Authors call this event the “dark night of the soul.” It’s when you hit your rock bottom. (I won’t detail the event as I don’t want to want this to be a spoiler.)  You definitely experienced this point, but you’ll note that as you became more self-sufficient you demanded to be called “Silstice”, not “Silly.” That was a pivotal point in the book where the reader realizes you are taking control of your life, not waiting to be rescued by others. “Agency” is a word authors often use when their characters become more self-reliant, take-charge type individuals. I, for one, like and appreciate capable Silstice more than the helpless Silly.

Silstice: You gave me a doozy of a family. Couldn’t you have written a nice, normal family for me?

Charlotte: Normal is BORING. You can’t say that about your mother, father, sisters, and brothers. They may not be the family you’d like, but they aren’t boring. Offbeat characters make for good reading, increase the tension, and give the author a lot of possibilities for an interesting plot, then later conflict resolution. Also, there were hints in the book as to why your mother behaved the way she did. I hope you caught them.

Silstice:  Okay, but why all the drama when I had no place to sleep. Couldn’t you have found me a homeless shelter and made my life easier? 

Charlotte: Keep in mind that this is 1934-35, pivotal years in the Great Depression. President Roosevelt was putting all kinds of New Deal programs in place, but there was no safety net for the homeless. Families, churches and neighbors were the fallback groups, but in your case your family was nicknamed The Trashy Traysons and you yourself had been caught stealing. No one had the means or inclination to take you in. You were considered a thief from a bad family. Hence lots of drama. By the way, readers like this kind of drama; it ups the ante.

Silstice: On Christmas day both my sister Alberta and I had no place to go so you had us sneak into a church. Why did you do that? I’m thirteen– I would have loved a beautiful warm house with a big holiday dinner and a huge Christmas tree and lots of presents.

Charlotte:  Who wouldn’t want that?  But Silstice, let’s be realistic. The Depression has changed just about everyone, even those who in other circumstances would have been more generous. ALSO, by sneaking into the church you got to meet the two young men who discuss their risky young lives as train riders. We get our first glimpse of child trafficking, and all the ugly stuff associated with that. This scene both foreshadows some important events and gives the reader a clearer understanding of the desperation of the times.

Silstice: You wrote about the rural experience: 4-H sewing and beef clubs, the county fair, a country church, and even a barn dance. Why?

Charlotte: It provides local color and a glimpse into the cultural life of farmers of that era. While there’s lots of routines and tedium to farming, the time away from these chores provides insights into the character and values of the people. 

Silstice: You gave me a public library which was both a shelter and an access to unlimited information. Was that because of your own experience?

Charlotte:  Despite your youthful age, Silstice, you are so insightful! I remember walking into a public library for the first time as a kid, and believe me, it was better than a candy shop. Free books. In an instant my world changed.

Silstice:  Do I resemble any characters in any of your other books?

Charlotte:  No, you are your own unique self. In Threads: A Depression Era Tale Nellie age seven, was whimsical and lived in her own imaginary land, talking to a Martian boy, speaking the languages of animals, and riding out poverty by playing at the creek. Her next older sister, Irene, was rigid and judgmental, and she always let you know if you were wrong. Her oldest sister, Flora, was sweet and kind, wanting to become a nurse when there wasn’t money for nursing school. Flora also wanted to become a farmwife, perhaps an attainable goal, but certainly not yours. So, Silstice, you are your own distinct self. Readers are going to love you. Everybody roots for the underdog, and you have so many lovable characteristics that you’ll remain in their minds long after they finish the book.

—

CHARLOTTE WHITNEY grew up on a Michigan farm and often heard stories about the difficult years of the Great Depression. Her widely acclaimed debut historical novel, Threads: A Depression Era Tale was followed by the historical mystery The Unveiling of Polly Forrest, which won multiple awards. She is also the author of two nonfiction books and a romance novel. 

Author Website: https://www.charlottewhitney.com

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CWhitneyAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlottewhitney65/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@charlottewhitneyauthor

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers