You might be wondering about the roots of my latest novel, as it’s definitely a bit different than stories I’ve told in the past. Well, here goes…
About two years ago, I was submitting ideas to Lake Union for possible publication. I had my first one, An Unfinished Story, alive and well in my head. There was another that may never see the light of day, though some of the characters will surely land somewhere else. But I needed a third and was under time pressure to come up with something. That’s when the magic happened.
As all of you creatives know, trying to force an idea rarely works, and that’s what I found myself doing. My agent wanted all my ideas the next morning. I was at my in-laws’ place in Naples, Florida, pacing the floors, beating my head against the wall, nearly losing my mind. What about this or that? None of it rang true. (Creating on demand is a skill that I suspect takes a lifetime to master.)
Exhausted and frustrated, I finally collapsed onto the couch, shaking my head. About the time I was reminding myself, “Just stop, Boo. Quit trying to find something and be present, let the fear ago, and the story will appear,” my mother-in-law sat down next to me. We started chatting and she suddenly was telling me her story, growing up in a poor Italian family in a small coal-region town in Pennsylvania, eventually breaking away to make it on her own as an artist. Guys, every step was jaw-dropping. I’d never known any of it, nor had my wife.
There was star-crossed love, and both the strife and romance of the sixties and seventies: the war, the protests, the music, the clothes. There were the struggles of women in the workforce and the beautiful and ugly characters in and out of her life. And there were the bones of some great drama that I knew I could throw gasoline on to make even worse.
She must have been halfway through when I, with chill bumps rising on my skin, said, “I need this story. I want to tell this story.” I asked her if she’d let me run with it but allow me to make it my own, changing characters and tweaking and inventing plot lines, making the people and situations more extreme than they actually were. For example, and for the record, her real grandmother was nothing like the Italian nonna in my novel. Actually, many of the big twists and turns from the midpoint forward were all fiction. Another thing was that I wanted to move the setting to Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine, both of which I knew would make for a great setting and offer the bonus of fun research trips.
I wanted to keep so much of her tale, though, including her huge Italian family and their amazing traditions, and the way she fought to make money after moving from her small town, and all her struggles as an artist. And, of course, the juicy drama that had hooked me. (Sorry, no spoilers.)
In the following weeks and even months and really all the way to publication, she and I worked together to create The Singing Trees. Basically, we played the what-if game all the time, figuring out ways to amp up the drama. What if she’d done this instead of that, what if this had happened, almost like supercharging the story. And often, when I was stuck, I’d call her and we’d chat about solutions or possible outcomes. Or if I wanted to know more about the time period or Italian-American life, the little details, she’d fill me in.
It was an amazing way to get to know my mother-in-law, who is one of the kindest and most loving people on earth. And she’s one of my most ardent supporters, always has been. She’s about to read The Singing Trees for the fifth time! How lucky am I?
Oh, how could I forget the wind chimes? As my mother-in-law’s story brewed in my imagination, I began corresponding with a reader named Liz Thurston, who casually mentioned that she made wind chimes and hung many of them in her backyard. I suddenly pictured an entire forest of wind chimes (ah, that’s where the title comes from) and the vision stuck with me, so much so that I knew the idea belonged in my book. Side note: Liz, who I’ve come to learn is an extraordinary person, gifted me several beautiful sets, and I can’t wait to hang them in my backyard upon our return to the U.S. You’ll have to read my book to see the influence of the wind chimes throughout the story.
Thanks for reading!
25 Responses
Wow.. I just finished The Singing Trees and just read the inspiration for it.. after googling Liz Thurston and Jenna McLain that you mentioned in your Acknowledgements.. I love stories of artists finding their way.. it’s a dream of mine.. and at 61 I’ve yet to get there… to find/develop my voice. Annalisa’s determination and courage is so inspiring.. Thank you for running with your MIL’s story❤️
Thank you so much for writing! Jenan is a dear friend of mine and has really broken through to the big time in Charleston. It’s never too late, that’s for sure. I hope you stick with me and read some more.
I am about 3/4 of the way thru “The Singing Trees” and loving it. Why did I not discover you earlier? I live near Nashville and my ex SIL is a hall of fame songwriter. The fact that you were here as a songwriter first is what led me to the book, I also am always on the lookout for good stories for a book club that I lead.
My parents story is very interesting and I wish I had the talent to write a fiction story around it. You certainly have the talent, keep on getting inspired.
Oh what a small world! Thank you very much for your nice words.
I grew up in Maine the same age as Annelisa. Good job capturing that time period!! I to had an Elvis ticket. Enjoyed this book very much.
Thank you so much. The Elvis ticket thing is just so amazing to me. When I heard the story, I knew Annalisa had to be an Elvis fan.
Just finished “The Singing Trees.” Wonderful! Excellent! I loved every word. As so many told Annalisa, I say to you, “You have a gift.” Please continue using it. One thing, though. I have been reading like a fiend this summer (easy to do when it’s over 100 degrees outside), and I think I’ll scream if I read another story in which the main characters are beautiful and/or handsome. How about giving us plain Janes a little room? You certainly didn’t accentuate the point that Annalisa was beautiful or Thomas was a hunk, but couldn’t they be neither of those things but with soulful eyes or some other remarkable trait?
As usual your characters jumped off the page, and feed my soul! You give such insights how people feel, so I feel!!
Yes, you are lucky when you have someone like your MIL open up and share her deepest thoughts!!
I treasure having found you as author!!
I loved reading about the inspiration for The Singing Trees! I have just begun reading the book, which will now be even more interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Wow – reading The Singing Trees was a non-stop event for me. I couldn’t put it down. I was captivated, moved, hurt, inspired and entertained. Now to read the origin…I have chill bumps on my chill bumps! What a special gift you and your MIL have. A blessing for all of us to enjoy. I have read all of your books, fell in love with the characters, and delight in each one of them. Anytime I need a gift, I go to a book of Boo Walker’s. You are a one of a kind very gifted wordsmith with the ability to paint a perfect picture in our minds. Thank you Boo for another magnificent read.
Inspiration for most anything is hard to find at times, but writing is at the top of that list. To have it come in the way yours did is a gift!!
Thanks for letting us know how this wonderful book came to fruition.
Thank you for sharing how the spark of an idea came to fruition with your MIL’s fantastic story! I don’t know about other readers, but I find it so interesting how the storytelling process begins and how you can take an idea and put pen to paper to create such a wonderful tale of love and perseverance. Thank you Boo for the nod to me and my singing trees.
Love this story. We often wonder how authors are inspired, mainly because we think we are not creative. This sounds like a truly fascinating story – especially now, knowing it’s basis.
Received my pre-order book yesterday. My husband is having surgery as I type this and no one is allowed past the lobby. I’ve brought your book along for company. I find myself laughing out loud and tearing up. Thank you for being the wonderful author you are!
Thank you, Boo, for sending THE ORIGINS OF THE SINGING TREES today. I am delighted to have read how the book came about. It’s a lovely story and I love the relationship you and your mother-in-law share. I knew I’d love the book since I love all of your books but this history of “The Singing Trees” makes this book even more special. Again, thank you. I’m looking forward to.Saturday. All the best and CONGRATULATIONS on this wonderful book.
Much love, June xo
Thank you so much for sharing the history of your new book. This email info has already brought tears to my eyes and heart. You are so blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with your Mother In Law. I can only imagine what a wonder person she must be, to share her story and to let you write about it. I love it already.
Loved reading about the origin of the Singing Trees. How special that it’s based on your mother-in-law!! My son-in-law and I are very close and I adore the fact you have that special bond with your. I also love the references to the wind chimes. I’m reading your book now with the beautiful sound of wind chimes in the background. These wind chimes belonged to my beloved former mother/in-law and bring me so much delight! Here’s to another wonder Boo Walker book!!
How I love your stories and how I love how this one was born and raised! We all have a story in us and I am always considering my life and how I think it would be a great drama! Especially embellished as with your grandmother! 60 years of life from one country to the next, a large and diverse family, boyfriends and lovers, rags to riches, thoughts and dreams to reality. I just wish I could write like you!!
What an incredible gift from your MIL. She, I can guarantee you, enjoyed the telling of her story as you did hearing it. I am anxious to read this book!! Come back to Florida soon!
Louise Barnes
Palmetto Fl
Boo,
The history of your new book immediately brought to mind what SHOULD have been done in my grandmother’s 97 years.
She had wonderful stories about the Thomas Wolfe family, who lived just down the street from her in Asheville, NC.
We lived hearing those stories but never put them to pen and paper.
I’ve also heard so many stories from my friends on a Reservation in SD. Of course their stories have always been passed down orally but what a waste to not have more of the personal ones in print.
You really made me realize the abundance of stories that have been missed.
There are many times in everyone’s life that a person is blessed to be in the right place, at the right time with the perfect person; recognizing those things and making the very best of the situation is up to you. You have done that and created a person that did it also. I love The Singing Trees!
I love how this book came about – the back story of THAT is, in and of itself, another very interesting story! As an “elder”, I am now uncovering the stories of people I have known for years, but never knew intimate details about their backstories. They are all fascinating. What an honor that you are telling your mother-in-law’s, and that you worked together to make a novel of it. Love this idea! Wish I were creative enough (and had the energy) to do this with some of my friends. All of their stories are so interesting, and each so different. And wish, as a younger person, I had gotten more of my mother’s stories. My father wrote an autobiography for family and friends – although when my mother read the first draft, she commented to him that it was great, but that he had left me out of it!!! He did rewrite and put me in it… (I am the youngest of 4 siblings, born when they were in their 40s). However, he did not include anything about my mother’s family. Now they are both gone (died in their 90s) and my sister – now 91 – doesn’t really remember much.
I had a wind chime that I brought in Woodstock New York at at art festival in the late 1970s. (Yeah, that Woodstock.. I also went to the famous music festival in 69) this wind chime kept me company through several life changes. The sound evokes memories.
I have read many of your books and enjoy the stories and the settings. Just picked up your most recent, and am looking forward to another luscious story.
Thanks for sharing your craft.
Sandi Johnson
Marco Island Florida
My pre-order copy of The Singing Trees arrived yesterday! Painting my bedroom furniture has delayed me from finding a quiet place to binge read your book! I plan to start this weekend..no cooking, no cleaning, just reading. Can’t wait!
Joanie Korte
Thanks for sharing the back story of The Singing Trees. Fascinating!