This week, we're welcoming historical fiction author Kristina McMorris. Her novel BRIDGE OF SCARLET LEAVES is set in during World War II, as the attack on Pearl Harbor changes America's destiny and the future of her characters. Kristina is here to talk about the novel and give away a copy. Add your comment for a chance to win. Here's the blurb:
Skillfully capturing one of the most controversial episodes in recent American history, Kristina McMorris delivers an authentic, moving testament to love, forgiveness, and the enduring music of the human spirit.
From Kensington Books and Avon/HarperCollins UK
March 2012 (Trade paperback)
**Q&A with Kristina McMorris**
The premise of
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves began with a true account of two brothers during WWII, one who had
fought for Japan and the other for America. While researching the subject,
Kristina happened across a brief mention of roughly two hundred non-Japanese
spouses who voluntarily lived in an internment camp. She was stunned and
fascinated by the discovery, and immediately knew it was a story she needed to
tell.
As the daughter
of a Japanese immigrant father and Caucasian American mother, Kristina grew up living
between these two cultures. Through Bridge
of Scarlet Leaves she hopes to share with readers a unique perspective of
an intriguing, and often tragic, portion of our country's history, while also
honoring a diverse range of quiet heroes.
What inspired you to write your latest novel, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves?
Years ago, an old family friend
shared with me that he had fought for America while his brother served for
Japan. I was captivated by the idea. But it wasn't until a decade later, when
I'd found my calling as a writer, that I recalled his story and realized what
an amazing premise it would make for a novel. Combined with my undying love for
the U.S. miniseries "North and the South" (perhaps more for Patrick
Swayze in uniform than anything else), I set out to write my book. But in the
midst of research, I happened across an obscure mention of roughly two hundred
non-Japanese spouses who had chosen to live in the U.S. internment camps
voluntarily. I called my agent that very day and said, "This is it. I have
my story!"
Could you describe some of the
extensive research you did for this book?
When it comes to research, although I
love having actually learned the information, highlighting details in textbooks
sounds as appealing to me as a root canal. (In other words, not a fun time.)
What I do enjoy is hands-on experience.
For this reason, I was delighted when
the Park Ranger at the Manzanar Relocation Center, who suffered through my
endless list of internment questions, invited me to attend their annual
pilgrimage. (Come to think if it, maybe that was his way of finally shutting me
up!) Similarly, when I contacted the Go For Broke Foundation, an organization
devoted to educating people about Japanese American military service, they
offered to arrange in-person interviews with seven WWII veterans who have since
all received the Congressional Gold Medal. I've definitely been spoiled.
As for my Air Corps research, it's hard
to beat the thrill of flying on a restored B-17 bomber. For that one, I have my
husband to thank. It was by far the best Mother's Day gift I could imagine!
How did you go about crafting dialogue
authentic to the time period?
I often joke, given my strong draw to
the era, that I must have lived through the '40s in another life. I love the
music, the fashion, and, of course, the slang. To get a good sense of dialogue,
I watched several documentaries and WWII films that were touted for accuracy.
Movies made in the 1940s, as it turned out, weren't a great resource, since
they often used dramatic Hollywood speak. Real letters from the war, on the
other hand, including those written by my grandfather, were extremely helpful,
as well as a sheer pleasure to read.
When it comes to writing your novels,
are you a plotter or what many refer to as a "pantser"?
Pantsters, in my mind, are advanced
mythical creatures with an ability I can't fathom. Needless to say, I'm a
plotter. I find comfort in knowing the basics of what's coming next. (I suppose
it makes sense that I loved being an event coordinator.) When plotting a new
book, I like to create an outline, roughly one sentence per chapter, before
beginning. For me, this is essential for narrowing down my research load.
Otherwise, with the enormity of the topic of WWII, I could end up spending six
months cramming my brain with intriguing details that prove to be completely
irrelevant to my story.
Who are some of your favorite books or authors? Is
there anyone in particular who has influenced your writing the most?
Some of my favorite authors are
Markus Zusak (The Book Thief), Ruta
Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray),
Alma Katsu (The Taker), and Sara
Gruen (Water for Elephants). The
person who has probably most influenced my writing, and especially my in-depth
research process, would have to be Jodi Picoult.
What project are you working on
now?
I'm happy to report
that I just turned in a novella, titled The
Christmas Collector, which will be published this coming October by
Kensington Books in a holiday anthology headlined by #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels. (Very exciting!)
After that, I'll be working on my next two women's fiction novels under
contract with my publisher and, hopefully, finding time to sleep on occasion.
Oh, and feed my children. That’s always a good thing.
For more, visit www.KristinaMcMorris.com. Kristina is also on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.
