New York Times best-selling author Jamie Ford returned to the Adams County Library on Friday from his home in Montana.
The virtual “return visit” of the historical fiction writer was a fundraiser for the library system hosted by Library Development Officer Dawn Smith.
Ford
“We’ve raised $1,935 so far,” said Smith.” When we had to postpone this year’s author visit due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I wondered what we could do to raise much-needed funds. The first thing I thought of was bringing Jamie back by interviewing him via Zoom. He understands our plight; he serves on his local library foundation board. We are extremely grateful for Jamie’s generosity and willingness to share his time and talents with Adams County!”
Ford’s writing focuses on the voices of the disenfranchised. His writing is emotional and gripping and captures the reader in the time period of the novel.
His first novel, “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” has become required reading in thousands of classrooms across the United States and was on the Adams County Library’s reading list last year.
The book is told in two parallel storylines, one following 12-year-old Henry Lee’s experiences during the Second World War, and the other depicting Henry forty years later as a widower with a college-aged son. The plot centers around the forced evacuation of Japanese Americans to internment camps and the pain and trauma of separation.
“Historical fiction materials circulate very well in Adams County, so we wanted to bring an author with that specialty to Gettysburg for our 2019 Signature Event,” said Smith.
Asked about his success and his impact on children around the country, Ford said “I like being homework; the book had one of those moments.”
When asked about his visit last year to Gettysburg, Ford said being here allowed him to really imagine the battle. “I try to picture it in its original natural state. Places that have such a deep history are always on my bucket list.”
Ford said “Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet” was on its way to becoming a Broadway musical and a Hollywood film, although the release of each has been delayed due to the pandemic.
Ford spoke about his Asian heritage, his childhood in Seattle, and the history of Montana, where he lives now.
Ford said he had been busy during the quarantine “It’s been a wonderfully productive time. I stay in the story. Because of COVID I had my most productive 2 months ever.”
Ford said he has signed a new two-book deal with Simon and Schuster and read from his forthcoming novel, tentatively titled “Tomorrow Dorothy.” The book describes the journey of a Chinese woman coming to the U.S. and is based on the biological principle of epigenetics – how trauma can affect our lives and the lives of our children.
Asked how he became a writer, Ford said he was self-taught. “I come at writing from an art background.”
“You have to allow yourself to fail – to play some bad notes,” said Ford. “You start out with something simple and you work your way up. It’s a learned craft. You have to put the time in.”
Ford suggested aspiring writers should read random books and “pick them apart.” “That will teach you not to make the same mistakes. That really worked for me.”
Ford said when he started a book he did “months of research, visiting archives and collecting notes, only beginning writing when I think I have more information than I can handle. I come at research from all angles. I’ll get city maps, old high school yearbooks, and newspapers. You sort of pick up the vernacular,” said Ford.
“I’m still growing as an author,” said Ford.
Ford asked the group to imagine what would happen to a community if all of the libraries disappeared overnight. “Libraries are a stepping stone to a better quality of life. They are extremely important to a community,” said Ford.
Smith said Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of “The Better Sister” and 18 other novels, will appear at the Gettysburg Library on September 17, 2021.
People who missed the meeting can still donate via the library website at https://www.adamslibrary.org/support-library/support-library Those who would like to view the recording of the event can pay the $25 ticket price.
Smith can be contacted at dawns@adamslibrary.org or 717.334.0163.
Charles (Chuck) Stangor is Gettysburg Connection's Owner, Publisher, and Editor in Chief. I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at cstangor@gettysburgconnection.org.