Welcome (officially) to Fall...
Welcome (officially) to Fall...
An Enemies in the Orchard Q&A and other updates from Dana
What a fun September it was!
Thank you to each of you who have reached out with a kind note, have written a review, shared my book with a friend, or attended a book event.
One of my favorite parts of author talks, whether it be in a school, bookstore, or library, is the Q&A. In honor of that, I thought I’d answer just a handful of the most commonly asked questions here.
How much of Enemies in the Orchard is true?
Without giving anything about the book’s ending away, (I recommend you read the authors note for a more in-depth explanation to the book’s conclusion!), nearly all of the events inside the book are based on real-life accounts or stories of German POWs in Michigan during WWII. The news stories are all adapted from original sources, as are the government guidelines and presidential proclamation. With the help of editors, mentors, and historian Greg Sumner, I worked hard to maintain historical accuracy in all aspects of the story.
Yet, even more, I hope readers find the story’s center—its emotion and themes—to be true as well. When defining fiction, sometimes you hear it said fiction is “fake,” or “untrue,” but that’s a dangerous definition. Anyone who has every been moved by a story knows that fiction often contains just as much truth as nonfiction.
Claire in the story is 13; how old is Karl?
In the character notes I kept as I wrote, Claire was just a couple of months away from her 14th birthday, and Karl was 17.
I realize that seems young to be a soldier from our perspective, and yet according to historical sources, by 1944, with Germany’s army growing weaker, Hitler ordered “all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 to defend their homeland.” Karl himself struggles as someone who identifies as “still a boy/ but expected to act like a man.” He also talks about how he was the youngest in this Kampfgrupp (fighting group), but moved up the ranks fast because of his ability to speak English.
Why did you choose to write in verse?
The easiest answer to this question is that I love to read novels written in verse! Just like the 8th grade students I taught, I find the space on the page to be a gift. And that space is also a bit of a paradox: while the idea of having fewer words on a page might tempt young readers looking for a faster read, it is that space that allows them permission to slow down.
Also, a story about war and the grief it brings is heavy. It was my hope to distill it down to its essence—to use that white space to give room to process and to really let the words sink in.
What are you working on now?
Honestly, getting this book out into the world (all while having a full-time job and a family) has taken up most of my writing time! That said, new ideas are percolating, and like any fresh start, I’m beginning again with rough, messy drafts. I don’t have specific details to share, but I do know I want to stick with historical fiction, and to continue writing in verse.
Upcoming events
I’m excited to head to the Traverse City, MI next weekend for a few events. If you live in that area, I hope to see you! If you know others in that area, I’d love if you’d share with them!
The Bos Wine Event on Thursday, Oct. 5 will be moderated by my cousin, lifelong friend, and once-upon-a-time-penpal, Sara Lamers Messink. Bos Wine owner, Dave Bos, went to Hope College with me and Sara, and all three of us were English majors there. It will be a fun night!
If you’re in another part of the world, please note that the Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Traverse City library available via Zoom.
As always, can read about all upcoming events on my website.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
More than anything, I’m grateful for the chance to share this story. And I’m grateful for all of you who have read and reached out to share a personal connection or reflection. It truly means so very much to me.
Dana