HEALING WATER: We have a winner!

Random.org, I mean - uh, my husband picked a number. And...

Peggy Reiff Miller, just won a copy of  
Healing Water: An Hawaiian Story!
Congratulations, Peggy!

From the flyleaf:   

Thirteen year-old Pia has never known his real father. But Kamaka, a family friend, has taught him how to work, explore, and take on physical challenges.Pia believes Kamaka is fearless. He never suspects that a time will come when Kamaka could actually be afraid of him. Neither does he expect his own body to betray him, or his government to tear him from his family and send him into exile.

When Pia finds himself abandoned on Molokai, Hawaii's leprosy settlement, he turns to the skills he learned from Kamaka to help him survive. But the conditions are harsh. Pia discovers he must choose between anger and aloha, revenge and forgiveness, his own wilfulness and the example of someone worthy of being like a father.

This fictional account was inspired by the experiences of many Hawaiians who were sent to Molokai's isolated Kalaupapa Peninsula, starting in 1866 and by the life of Father Damien deVeuster, who chose to live and work there in the late 1800s.

Here's the trailer.

Meanwhile, over at Joan Edwards' blog, someone else won a copy of Healing Water!

Video Glimpse into Father Damien of Molokai

In keeping with World Leprosy Week, I post this video narrated by Max Lucado - a glimpse into the life of Father Damien of Molokai. 

And in case you missed the news, I'm giving away a copy of Healing Water. See below.

  Linda Andersen hosted me over at her blog, A Writer's Playground. Comment there for a chance to win Healing Water, historical fiction that takes place in Hawaii's leprosy settlement.  Deadline is Saturday at midnight.

CARVILLE, LOUISIANA (and a Healing Water giveaway)

In keeping with World Leprosy Week, I'd like to call your attention to the former leprosy hospital in Carville, Louisiana. It's closed now but in previous decades, if you lived in mainland, USA and contracted leprosy, you could be sent there to live.

Today, the former hospital houses a museum that commemorates those years and that offers information about leprosy.  

Just in case you cannot hop in the car and head to Louisiana, consider one of these virtual tours.

I have this lovely, immensely informative book about Carville.  It not only clears up some of the confusion about leprosy but also shares stories of people who were hospitalized and their heartwarming interactions with the Carville community.  

As James Carville says in the book's Forward, "...our little town in southern Louisiana became a model for the world, a place of hope, progress, and tolerance."

Sounds much like Kalaupapa, Hawaii where my Healing Water takes place.

And BTW - this week, Linda Andersen is giving away a copy of Healing Water over at A Writer's Playground.

HEALING WATER GIVEAWAY!

Linda Andersen, at A Writer's Playground, knows this is World Leprosy Week so she invited me to post a Q & A on the topics of leprosy and my book, Healing Water

So I did.  We're giving away a copy of the book over there so click on through and leave a comment if you're interested in winning. 

But first my character wants to introduce his story.

                                                        
Go now, and read my post over there will you? And don't forget to enter the contest.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SAMUEL CLEMENS

In celebration of Mark Twain's birthday  (November 30, 1835), I'm going to post a few pics of my summer visit to his house and museum in Hartford, CT.

 Chuck and I were in the area for a family wedding this summer so we took in a few literary sites!

The museum incorporates lots of Twain's pithy quotes on its walls.  This one is a little blurry because we were following a high energy tour guide who was on the move! But I really like this quote.  Hmmm - I like most of Twain's quotes!

 So what do you think? Does my hubby look good in Mark Twain hair?

 For that matter -do I?

I'm actually more comfy in Becky Thatcher hair!

We weren't allowed to take pics inside the Mark Twain House - only in the museum. This lego model of the home built in the 1980s cost approximately the same as the real deal built a century earlier - $ 45,000.00!

Many of Twain's books were set in Mississippi, but were actually written from this house or most likely his summer home in Elmira, New York.

 When I was writing Healing Water I scoured Mark Twain's Letters From Hawaii which provided colorful descriptions of Hawaii from the very time period in which my story is set.

 

According to author/editor A. Grove Day, in 1884 Twain was writing a novel set in Hawaii.  A section of it was set in the leprosy settlement on Molokai where Healing Water takes place.  I, for one, am really sad this book was never completed.

Maybe I will be able to find the 17 pages of this novel online at Berkely's Mark Twain Papers & Project where I understand that they are housed. Off to check on that.

Note that Volume 1 of the Autobiography of Mark Twain is now available - 100 years after his death as he stipulated! What a guy - to give himself ( and us) this birthday gift!

Happy Birthday, Samuel Clemens!

This Day in History: Father Damien Canonized

A year ago today Father Damien of Molokai was canonized at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. 

Damien was just 33 years old when he began his ministry to leprosy patients such as Pia, the character in my historical novel, Healing Water.

Sixteen years after his arrival Father Damien died from complications related to the disease. 

In the following clip Max Lucado tells Saint Damien's story.



Healing Water lends itself superbly to integrated learning experiences. You can find suggested learning activities here.

MORE Q & A WITH MIDDLE SCHOOLERS FROM H.H. POOLE

Oneof these books is not about a disease.  Do you know which one?

1. Why do you write about diseases?

This is multiple choice. There could be more than one right answer. And no, you don’t want me to be your doctor.

A. I am a sick person.
B. I should have been a doctor.
C. I  probably have a fear of getting sick.
D. I am fascinated with the emotional aspects of illness and the way it changes people’s lives.

2. Who’s your favorite character in your books?

• Well, in every book, I’m always attached to my main characters.
• I think Imogene Wilfong in Blue is very cool.
• But I also happen to love Junior Bledsoe in Blue and especially in Comfort! He’s a very hot item you know. One of my readers sent me an email saying if her husband ever divorced her she was going to drive to North Carolina and track Junior Bledsoe down!

3. How did you get ideas for your stories?

There are so many fascinating hidden stories in history. When I'm working on one project I discover some story that grabs me by the heart and tries to drag me away with it. Usually I force myself to ignore it until I finish the project I’m on. But in the back of my brain a story begins to take shape and as quick as I can I go after it!

Example:  I was writing Vacation Bible School curriculum when I discovered Father Damien. I only needed a short story about leprosy for the curriculum.  But the research led me to more info and I wanted to do something longer with it. So I eventually wrote and published Healing Water, about a boy who is banished to Hawaii's leprosy settlement on the Kalaupapa Peninsula. He meets Father Damien there.

On the Kalaupapa Peninsula.

4. What was it like to go to Kalaupapa? 

I had to hike down a steep trail for a few miles. That was challenging. I had to hike back up. That was hard. The next day my legs hurt so badly I could barely walk.

Being there was cool but also a little bit frustrating because I wanted to roam freely and spend lots of time alone, getting to know the landscape and thinking about my story and my characters. But I had to stick to the guided tour and of course, there were other people around. I understand why people like me can’t just roam freely in this very private place but still, I wanted to.

CHATTING WITH BOSTIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS

This post is for the 5th graders in Donna Rymer's class at Bostian School in China Grove, NC.  But you, dear reader, are invited to lurk while we chat.

And now for a little Q & A.

Students:  Where do you find your topics to write about?

Me:  My topics always seem to grow out of research I'm doing for another writing project.  I'll be witing  and reading and learning. Then right in the heart of it, I'll discover some little known piece of history that fascinates me.  Suddenly, I'm hooked. Of course, I have to finish the project I'm working on. But when I do, I make a bee line for that hidden history I just uncovered. 

Students:  What inspired you to become an author?

Me: My 7th & 8th grade language arts teacher liked my written book reports and told me I'd be a writer someday.  It was just the encouragement I needed to produce great writing for her and for every language arts teacher I had after that. When I went to college, however, I studied to become a teacher. Over the years, I taught preschool and special education.

Then eventually, I realized that, more than anything, I wanted to write. 

So, I began.  My husband would read my stories to our children at bedtime and I would watch for their reactions.  If they listened with their mouths hanging open, I knew my story was working.  If they lost interest and started talking or annoying each other, I'd start revising.

They became my inspiration.  I wanted to write books that they cared about.  In some ways that's still true.  The greatest compliment I receive is when my grown son or daughter tells me my book is awesome.  I know from experience that they'll also tell me if it stinks. But I like to give them that opportunity before it goes to publication -which, of course, leads to more revisions.

Students:  What obstacles do you encounter as an author?
Me:  The competition to get published and to sell books is huge.  And as a writer of historical fiction with heavy themes, I don't love competing with vampires, dystopian novels, or LOL funny stories.  But it makes me step up my game and write the very best historical fiction that I can. 

Sometimes I am my own worst obstacle - procrastinating by playing around on the internet instead of knuckling down to writing or revising.  Time is a big challenge.  It's hard to find time and also money to invest in research trips as well as getting the word out about my books

Students: What is the best part about being a writer?
Me:  Hmmmm - there is a high that comes just from putting words together into a story.  That's hard to explain but if you have something you love to do such as art, dance,or a particular sport, then you probably know what I'm talking about. 

I also absolutely adore the research.  I get very hooked on finding clues to more information, following research trails, and discovering connections between people and events in history. 

And then, there is the fact that I can stay home and go to work at the exact same time. I can wear whatever I want to work.  I'm my own boss. That's not always easy though because the motivation has to come from me alone - but I think writing fits my independent spirit very well.

Students: Do you have another book in the works, and what will it be about?
Me:  The book I am working on is about WWII era conscientious objectors to war.  (Now, there's a topic for you to research and discuss!)  My fictional character, along with about 12,000 real COs, chose to serve our country in a peaceful, nonvioloent manner.  He was a member of the first group of pacifists to work in a mental hospital.  There he helped expose the horrendous conditions and abuses that patients were living with. And he got into a little trouble, himself.

Students:  If you could recommend the best book of all time for a fifth grader to read, which one would you recommend?
Me:  I think "the best book of all time" is like an oxymoron or something.  I can't even choose my favorite book that came out this year. But I will say that I think every young person should read The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.  By going into hiding in a very limited space and putting her feelings into a diary, Anne opened the world to millions of people who would not know or care otherwise. And if that just doesn't appeal to you then maybe try Jerry Spinelli's novel, Milkweed.  Both of these books are Holocaust stories.  Call me "stuck in the WW II era Hostetter".  But I think this was such a defining moment in history. 

Students: Which one of your books do you consider to be the best for 5th graders?
Me:  I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest Healing Water - not for every fifth grader but for you, yes!  Here's the warning.  It starts out depressing!  It gets a little gruesome and it's sad.  But it has definite bright spots, bits of humor, and it ends with hope. And it really has a lot to say that I believe you will appreciate.
 
You can read snippets of reviews for Healing Water here.
 
Thanks so much for the questions!  You guys are incredible and I know you have many years of reading, writing, and researching ahead of you.  I'm pretty sure I don't need to tell you to do any of those things.  Mostly I want to encourage you to follow whatever skill you have that makes you feel as if life is good. Practice it, take constructive criticism, and be willing to revise your game - whatever it is.

You'll do well, I know!  For real. - Oh, and did you notice I'm giving away another book.  See sidebar for info about the contest to win Captain Mac - nonfiction about an arctic explorer.  Maybe you can win it for your school library.

DOES THIS WOMAN LOOK SCARY TO YOU?

(l. to r.) Me, Shirley Cunningham

Mrs. Cunningham was my language arts teacher in both 7th & 8th grade. She was one of those teachers who forced you to rise to a challenge. She taught innovatively. She graded strictly. And if you needed discipline, she did not shy away from it.

Mrs. Cunningham was not for messing around with.

But I've always loved this sort of teacher. And I especially love Mrs. Cunningham. After all, she told me I would be writer someday.

And now I am.

Today I will meet with her to get feedback on my work-in-progress. She's already warned me to wear my suit of armor.

I'm not really afraid of her. (not much, anyway) I learned a long time ago that a tough critic is a good thing! But I do so want to please Mrs. Cunningham. Back in middle grades I lived for her big red A at the top of my book reports. Because of her affirmation, I couldn't wait to do written assignments.

Something tells me she won't be using a red pen this time. But I do expect lots of constructive feedback. Mrs. Cunningham has read each of my other books after they were published but this will be the first in manuscript form. I hope it's not the last.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Sunday Series: Heroes & Saints

The altar that Father Damien built for one of the churches on Molokai, HI.

I decided to make Sundays a day to blog about people who've accomplished great things. I was working on a post about Sister Elizabeth Kenny when I suddenly realized that today is Saint Damien's birthday.

So I'll continue the Sister Kenny post later. It's just as well since I was getting sidetracked into reading her biography all over again.

As for Father Damien, I've certainly blogged about him before and enough is enough, I suppose.

Father Damien Birthplace Museum which I visited in May 2007

So how about a few crucial dates from Damien's life, a few images, some info about his right hand, and a couple of links?

January 3, 1840 - Born in Tremeloo, Belgium
March 19, 1864 - Arrived in Hawaii
May 10, 1873 - Arrived in leprosy settlement on Molokai
April 15, 1889 - Died of complications related to leprosy

Aerial photo used with permission by James H. Brocker, author of The Lands of Father Damien. (A fabulous book!)

When Damien died in Hawaii's leprosy settlement, he was buried beside the church in this photo. But his homeland of Belgium wanted his body and in 1936, Franklin Roosevelt agreed to return it.

Then in 1995 when he was beautified (second step on journey to sainthood) the remains of his right hand were returned to Hawaii.

Damien's coffin now on display at his birthplace museum in Tremeloo, Belgium.

I used to imagine that they simply cut his hand off. But, when I visited the Damien Birthplace Museum, one of my Healing Water experts, Father Paul Macken explained. Damien's body arrived in Belgium in the coffin pictured above. When they opened the coffin, his body disintegrated. So they separated the remains into 11 zinc boxes. One of them contained the bones of his right hand.

Here are Google Image results for Damien - there are some really great ones.

And there is loads and loads of info along with a myriad of pictures at this Damien related blog.

Oh, and DO check out this virtual tour of some Damien sites. Don't be shy. Click on the word Flash to see a 360 degree image. (Unfortunately a few are labeled wrong and you get mules when you wanted to see Damien's birthplace but there are some fabulous images that are worth exploring!)

TWO DAMIEN FILMS

Want to know more about Father Damien, the missionary priest to Hawaii who is being canonized on Sunday? Check out these movies!
Molokai: The Story of Father Damien was co-written by Hilde Eynikel who also wrote a book by the same title. Stars are David Wenham and Kate Ceberano.

An Uncommon Kindness is a documentary narrated by Robin Williams.

Both are informative, absorbing, and well worth your time. If your public library doesn't have them, it's always worth asking. Chances are, they will order upon request.

SMILE: FATHER DAMIEN WAS HERE!

If you were a leprosy patient shipped off to the Kalaupapa Peninsula, separated from home and family, would you be smiling?

I'm not exactly sure which of the residents of Kalaupapa painted these rocks. Or when. Likely a century after Father Damien lived and died.

But I do know that ever since he came, there have been more smiles on the Kalaupapa Peninsula.

And on Sunday, October 11, 2009 when Pope Benedict presides over his canonization, there will be lots of celebrating!

SAINT DAMIEN: He made it easier to believe.

Children's art work depicting scenes from Father Damien's life - on display in the Damien Birthplace Museum in Tremelo, Belgium.

Confession: I don't really like the word "saint". It conjures up images of people too religious to be any earthly good. But if the Vatican has decided that Father Damien is a saint, then there must be another definition at work.

Because that man did a world of good.

He offered compassion to the desolate leprosy patients of Hawaii. He empowered them to improve their situation, hassled them as needed, and shared his food and pipe with them. He gave his life for them. He got their disease.

Before him, there'd been a few non-patients who lived or did religious work in the settlement but they were either transient or came as helpers to family members . Father Damien was the first to voluntarily stay in Kalawao and serve all its residents. He inspired others to do the same.

Joseph Dutton showed up one day, said he'd come to help, and proceeded to spend the rest of his life (45 more years) on the six squares miles of Kalaupapa Peninsula.

Dutton describes his first encounter with Father Damien.

He was now a leper in the advanced stage... The Father talked eagerly,... he called me "Brother," as I had come to stay, and gave me at once the full care of two churches. He was full of plans that morning, talking of what he wished for the lepers.

Joseph Dutton was a striking figure - a tall muscular man in a blue demin suit. He was neat and clean even after a "hot dusty trip."

There was little water in the leprosy settlement and Father Damien constantly hustled from one menial task to another. He was impulsive and careless about appearances so he must've looked like a mess much of the time. Probably the sort of person a lot of us would pull away from.

Brother Dutton wrote of him:

There were times when one did not care to be too much with Father Damien; that should be said. But there was love between us. This is not to say that our tastes and personal habits were the same, it would not be correct to say that.

He goes on to talk about repugnances. He doesn't get specific but I suspect that Father Damien never looked like the white robed, haloed image that seems to go with sainthood.

I'm not entirely sure what all defines a saint in the Catholic tradition. I know there must be evidence of a holy life and also of miracles.

In my tradition, a saint is someone who lives what he believes. As William Barclay put it, "A saint is someone whose life makes it easier to believe in God."

Just one reason why Father Damien will become Saint Damien on October 11, 2009. And it also explains why he inspired me to write Healing Water!

Quotations from The Heart of Father Damien by Vital Jourdain, S.S. C.C.

IN SEARCH OF FATHER DAMIEN

It's a big week in Louvain, Belgium where Father Damien's remains are interred. A few years ago, Chuck and I visited that spot in conjunction with my research for Healing Water, a historical novel that takes place in Hawaii's leprosy settlement.

This is the church building with the crypt in the lower level. I don't have a good picture but you can see one in this issue of the Maui News. There was a special mass at the cathedral today.
Father Paul Macken, a Damien expert met us there and answered questions that would help me be accurate in my story telling and and in the author note in the back of the book.

He drove us then to Tremelo to visit Damien's birthplace and museum where we got a glimpse of the way he lived.

KITV in Honolulu is covering the event. Lots of links on this KITV website.

Pamela Young of KITV and 200 others from Hawaii are on a pilgrimage to Belgium and Italy, then back to Kalaupapa. Eleven of the pilgrims are former Hansen's Disease patients from the Kalaupapa, Peninsula where Father Damien served.

Pamela is blogging about the experience here.

IN CELEBRATION OF FATHER DAMIEN'S CANONIZATION

On Sunday, October 11 (a mere 6 days from now) Joseph DeVeuster (Father Damien) will be canonized.

I've decided to celebrate with a Damien/Molokai, Hawaii-related post each day this week. There are so many options it's hard to know where to begin. But why not with one of the books that I relied on so heavily during my research?

I love The Lands of Father Damien by James H. Brocker because it has so much heart and lots of history. Of course, the history can be found in many places. But the heart of this book is not easily duplicated.

I felt the aloha here the moment I opened its pages. And later when I met author Jim Brocker at his store on topside Molokai, I understood why. He is truly an unassuming and generous person!

One of the real gifts Jim gave me in this book was a feeling for the landscape of the Kalaupapa Peninsula where my story, Healing Water takes place. It is chock full of Jim's vivid photography with informative captions as well as vintage photos from the time of Father Damien. One example is this photo which Jim graciously permitted me to include on my website.

Also, on my website is a video clip of Catherine E. Toth's visit to the Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai, HI. You may want to check that out!

NEW WEBSITE CELEBRATION BOOK GIVEAWAY

So my hubby pulled the names from the proverbial hat and voila! The winners of my new website free book contest are:

1. Set of my 4 books goes to Tina Davis (my facebook friend and all around wonder woman)

2. Nathan Clement's Picture book, Drive & my Healing Water go to Amy Butler Greenfield, author of A Perfect Red.

Congratulations Tina and Amy! And thanks to all for helping me and Nathan celebrate my new website design!

Find more of Nathan's Designs at Stickman Studio.

MEET NATHAN/WIN BOOKS!

Meet Nathan Clement. Author and Illustrator of this very cool book. (Which BTW is the recipient of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus!)

Nathan is also the designer of this so nifty website. (which, as you can see is mine!)

Nathan blogged about the process saying, "We wanted to make it seem like her—choosing symbolic imagery from her work, capitalizing on things in her life that are important, and giving her readers a rich, visual impression."

I have to say Nathan was quick to understand what I had in mind and to produce the look and feel I wanted. Working with him was delightful and I am thrilled with the results.

Here's what he has to say about his website work.

I'm offering design for a basic web site. I've made my living for 20 years in one form of design or graphic arts or another. I've had experience designing for the web, but do not have all the development (coding/programming) skills. So, I do the visual set up, focussing on who you are, how you want to represent yourself on the web—kind of like a book cover for YOU! Then, I work with a developer who is prepared to do the basic coding for a basic site, to get it up and live.

Even if you're not looking for a website, visit Nathan Clement's blog and do one of these two things in the comment section. .

1. Congratulate Nathan on his recent contract with Boyds Mills Press for a second picture book!
2. Tell him what you like about the site he designed for me.

Leaving a comment gets you entered into a contest for 2 free books - Nathan's DRIVE and my HEALING WATER. Drawing is Oct. 4. Announcement - October 5.

Hurry now - this is our boost to your economy!

CHECK OUT NATHAN CLEMENT & WIN FREE BOOKS

Christmas is coming. You'll need some cool gifts. Why not win some? Here's how.

A. Visit my new website. Enjoy Nathan Clement's handiwork there. Here's a preview.

B. Then click on over to Nathan's blog and leave a comment, telling him what you think of his mad design skills! (Comment on any of his posts! It doesn't matter which one; he'll let me know.)

C. Voila! You're finished. Just for doing that, I'll enter your name in a contest to win 2 books:

1. A copy of Nathan's stunning picture book, Drive, an unexpected perspective of a day in the life of a truck driver. Drive received starred reviews from both Publisher's Weekly and Kirkus!

2. A copy of my book Healing Water, which is as hopeful as the title sounds so do not let the subject of leprosy deter you.And if that's not enough book winning for you, enter the other contest described below.

UNEXPECTED TRAVEL PERKS!

While sitting in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton airport I discovered this review of Healing Water at BookAdvice.net. Then I got on the plane and flew to Philadelphia.

Because of the weather, US Airways rearranged flights which was all to the good for me. I got to fly out on an earlier flight both from to Philly and next to Charlotte.

Another big treat is that my fellow author/workshopper Patricia Clark got switched onto my flight to Philly and we ended up being seated right beside each other on the plane. Such a gift to talk about our week and and share writing and publishing stories!

I have an hour layover. Am so excited to be going home. Had a marvelous time in every way. I think I needed this week with writers and with editor, Carolyn Yoder to revive my flagging spirits.

But home and hubby are looking really attractive at this moment.

NEW BOOK ON FATHER DAMIEN

Today is the release date for FATHER DAMIEN: A Bit of Taro, A Piece of Fish, and A Glass of Water.

"A book about Father Damien,

from the perspective of the people of Kalaupapa

who knew him and worked alongside him."

I just ordered my copy from IDEA.

Co-author, Anwei Law gave me critical feedback on Healing Water at the manuscript stage. I know she had reservations about a mainlander writing on the subject of Kalawao and Father Damien. But at least she was willing to help me improve my work.

I can't wait until her book arrives in my mailbox!

I'm certain it will fill an important quest for knowledge about Father Damien as the day of his canonization approaches. (Oct. 11, 2009)