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I, Too, Long To Be Understood
Redbird in the Poppies follows a young woman trying to escape her past life and start anew, only to have it return and jeopardize her future life. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It’s funny you should ask that! I was an avid reader at the time and although I had written short stories, poems, and songs, I wanted to write something larger. It was actually inspiration from what Stephanie Meyer (Twilight series) had blogged about. She explained her process of writing and I woke from a dream, and it started the whole ‘California’ part of my book. I actually wrote that ending as the beginning and then flipped it. When I did that, I had to figure out what would be something horrible enough to propel Elizabeth into greatness and it seemed to fit!
Coming-of-age novels involve a lot of reflection and personal growth on the part of the main character. What were the driving ideals behind the characters’ development throughout the story?
When I write, I immerse myself into a character. It’s like getting to know a new friend. The twists and the turns that Elizabeth had actually surprised me as I was writing them! I would think ‘Is this too outlandish to be believable’, but it was HER truth. It is so similar to sitting down and talking to another young lady and her telling me about her life, yet it was in my own imagination.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Humanity was the main theme. I wanted my readers to FEEL how Elizabeth felt. I felt her story was one worth reading about.
As I had also said in the book, it was a reflection of the dysfunction of the recession. I have a tendency to deeply understand the plight of those who probably feel the most alone. It is also more than likely because I, too, long to be understood.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I already wrote a beginning of a new book right before I decided to publish Redbird in the Poppies. I just wanted to let Redbird in the Poppies go and release it. I couldn’t leave it to be unread forever in a drawer.
Because it took me SO long to publish this (almost 14 years), it is my hope to begin anew by summer of next year. Working with Redbird in the Poppies again makes me want to possibly explore Elizabeth’s character further! There has been so much time elapsed that she could have grown into the same age her parents were when things went sideways for their family… Hmmm….. Don’t get me started!
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But the past is never far behind, and when her old life comes back to haunt her, Elizabeth finds herself at the center of a dangerous love triangle. With fate pulling her in one direction and the comfort of friendship in another, Elizabeth must decide which path to take. But as she discovers, love and happiness are not always found in the future, but can be preserved from the past. The outcome of her decision will determine if history will repeat itself or if love and happiness can survive even the darkest of circumstances.
Amidst the heartache and the challenges of her past, Elizabeth must confront the ghosts of the past and determine the path she will take in life. Will she succumb to the legacy of bad decisions or rise above it to forge a new destiny of love, happiness, and redemption?
Redbird in the Poppies: A Novel
After the heart-wrenching loss of her elder brother, Elizabeth Redbird’s passage from adolescence to young adulthood unfolds as a compelling story of resilience and evolution in the face of a disintegrating family foundation. Possessing an innate wish to bring joy to those around her, Elizabeth wrestles with the intricate tapestry of life. This eventually leads her to the realm of higher education, a stepping stone to a gratifying career and a close-knit circle of confidantes. Yet, the ghosts of her past loom large, often holding her back from committing deeply to romantic endeavors. As fate would have it, Elizabeth’s trajectory undergoes a delightful shift when she encounters a captivating gentleman with whom she shares more parallels than initially evident.
Angela Geer-Gann’s Redbird in the Poppies eloquently chronicles Elizabeth’s path of addressing deep-seated family wounds and rediscovering love. The narrative gracefully weaves through Elizabeth’s tumultuous teen years, shedding light on the intricate family ties that bind her. Advancing to her later years, Geer-Gann tenderly portrays Elizabeth’s journey toward healing and self-revelation.
While the novel predominantly succeeds in holding the reader’s attention, there are moments where I feel the articulation could benefit from added finesse. Dialogues sometimes veer towards the realm of the implausible, briefly detracting from the otherwise adept character development. However, the heart of the story remains strong, offering candid insights into the depths of its characters.
Redbird in the Poppies promises an engrossing read and an emotional voyage long after turning the last page.
Pages: 302 | ASIN : B0CGX3CKK9
LITERARY TITAN 