L – Today I welcome my longtime writing buddy and best friend, Carol Baldwin, who is excitedly awaiting the release of her debut YA novel HALF-TRUTHS. Congratulations, Carol! I understand that birthing this book has been a long journey. What did you originally set out to write about and how, if at all, did that change along the way?
C – I was curious about what it was like in Charlotte before civil rights and thought I would write about that. At my first Highlights workshop (that you and I attended together in 2009!) I was fortunate to have Harold Underdown as my mentor. When I told him I was writing a book about Charlotte before civil rights, he told me that was only my setting. He encouraged me to find out what my character wanted. I remember being blown away by that simple yet profound advice.
It took me years digging into my protagonist, Kate’s past and finding her story to answer Harold’s question. Once I settled on what was driving Kate, I could shape the book. There were many outlines and drafts in the process. In addition, since the time period is the Jim Crow South, I knew there were racial issues that would be addressed. Over time I realized that most of that racial struggle was not my story to tell. As a result, HALF-TRUTHS became more about Kate’s journey to find her voice as a budding journalist, rather than a book about racial relations.
L – What message do you want readers to take away from your book?
C – Don’t push family secrets under the rug. A person’s past influences their present. Whenever possible, open communication is best.
The theme of half-truths runs throughout the book. Kate not only uncovers deceptions that have been passed on in her family, but she also comes to grips with her own half-truths. Lillian, an important secondary character, is a teenage Black maid who works for Kate’s grandmother. The two girls bond over Kate’s goat, and while building that friendship, Kate frequently stumbles. In a major turning point, Kate alienates Lillian by publicly saying a half-truth about her. It is only when Kate admits what she did and communicates her genuine regret to Lillian that their friendship is reconciled.
As the story progresses, Kate discovers secrets about her family’s ancestry. She wants to talk about them to her stern grandmother— the lynchpin in the puzzle—but she’s afraid. At the end of the book, she broaches the topic as the two plant a garden together. Kate’s hunch about her ancestry is validated as she breaks through walls that have existed for decades. She is then freer to speak her voice and move forward without debilitating fear.
L – DEI has come under attack in recent days, and President Trump is eliminating many programs that will have possible negative impacts on persons of color. Your protagonist, Kate, was outspoken and strong-willed. How do you think she might react if she were around to see this today?
C – I think she would want everyone to be treated equally. Like she says in HALF-TRUTHS, “Of course, all men are created equal! That’s what is written in the Bible and the Declaration of Independence!” She’d be glad to see the progress since 1950: she didn’t experience integrated schools, parks, restaurants, or sports teams. She would want this to continue—that the same opportunities would be available to both Blacks and Whites.
L – Lastly, you know I write about mental illness. Is there any part of Half-Truths that resonates with mental health issues?
C – Definitely! Families that deny or bury secrets often pass along burdens to subsequent generations. These “half-truths” lead to shame, guilt, fear, and resentment. In turn, carrying around those burdens can result in miscommunication, failed relationships, poor decision- making, anxiety, depression, or worse.
L – Thanks for stopping by, Carol, and we wish you all the success with your book rollout! For more information about how to order Half-Truths and to follow Carol on social media, click here.
And to you, my friends, thanks for tuning in to this newsletter, where mental wellness thrives.
Until next time,
Linda
