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The Great Storm
Saltwater and Driftwood is a thrilling historical novel that recounts the day that mother nature brought an island to the floor of Gulf. What inspired you to write this story?
I’ve always had a deep fascination with The Great Storm, living in the Houston area, we are constantly experiencing mother nature in some form. But I always kept coming back to this storm, wondering what it must have been like, how they must have felt that day and the days afterward. How the storm itself reshaped an Island, restructured the financial landscape of a state, and brought about the most ambitious engineering marvel that still exists to this day: The Galveston Seawall.
Clara is an intriguing character. What were some driving ideals behind her character’s development?
I wanted to bring a sense of helplessness to her idyllic world, a kind of helplessness that anyone who has been through a hurricane, or a tornado, or flood has felt. That overwhelming fear of not knowing what might happen next, how bad things may become. I wanted to show her strength and her sensitivity, her bond with her sister, and her desire to marry for love instead of security. I think that her fire is what makes her who she is, and ultimately helps her to survive and thrive even after the worst natural disaster on US soil.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
How, in the face of tragedy, people continue to band together, regardless of status, money, or power, to help each other in these times of need. We see it again and again in Texas, especially when storms collide with the coast. Other states come to help, ordinary people become heroes to others, bringing out boats and rescuing neighbors. No matter what we have faced in the past, what loss we endure, we overcome and rise up. We always will.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am, in fact, taking a break. Working on a few things at the moment, but nothing steadfast. When I am, I will let you know!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The year is 1900, Galveston flourishes in the Gilded Age. It hails as the pride of Texas exports.
On the morning of September 8th, 1900, the hopes and dreams of Galvestonians will come to a tragic halt. In a time before storms were named, The Great Storm of Galveston, Texas has all but become a legend.
Through the eyes of Clara and the Gladys family, the past comes alive with love and hope, sorrow and tragedy. A historical novel that encompasses the scope of the storm, and the people affected by it.
A chilling re-telling of the day when mother nature would bring an island to the floor of the Gulf waters. A triumph of human spirit, and a testament to the great people who rose up amidst tragedy to rebuild against all odds.
Saltwater and Driftwood
Saltwater and Driftwood by Anna Walner is an engrossing and unforgettable historical fiction novel. We follow a young girl named Andrea as she is cleaning out her grandmother Clara’s items and stumbles upon her journal she has written as a teen. As Andrea reads Clara’s journal, we learn of the tragedy she endured and surviving The Great Galveston Hurricane.
Author Anna Walner has written a powerful and gripping tale of the terrible event that happened to Clara and her family. The author expertly jumps from Andrea’s perspective and then to Clara’s perspective without confusing the reader. I enjoyed that the author built up Clara’s story allowing us to connect with her and to understand her life before the hurricane hit.
Once the reader is deeply invested in Clara’s character, tragedy strikes, making it hard to put the book down. I was taken on an emotional journey alongside Clara and the losses she faced due to this unforeseen natural disaster. The author does a great job of allowing the reader to feel what Clara is feeling. You feel hopeless because there is nothing Clara can do, and you also feel sympathy and heartache for her as she grieves over the loss of her town and people.
Walner paints a vivid picture of the scenes down to the smell of the saltwater and describes the emotions the townspeople felt in the aftermath of the hurricane, making this a terrifyingly real read. However, this story is not all melancholy, as there are joyful moments that Clara experiences when she falls in love.
Saltwater and Driftwood is a brilliantly written historical novel that will appeal to history buffs and those who enjoy romance and triumph over natural disasters. I highly recommend this book as you will not want to put it down until the end.
Pages: 236 | ISBN : 1088032591
LITERARY TITAN 