We're excited to have Heather Norman Smith with us today talking about her book Where I was planted. To learn more about Heather and her book, read on!
Please
give us the first page of the book.
Please
give us the first page of the book.
I’ve
spent a lot of time thinking about weeds. Not just the dandelion and chickweed
that pops up uninvited in people’s vegetable gardens. I’m talking about the
kind of weeds that squeeze themselves up through the tiniest of cracks in
sidewalks, and in roads and parking lots, and in little crevices in rocks.
They’re unattractive to most people, but I think these plants are remarkable.
Shallow soil, short roots, and trampled on by every pair of feet that happens
their way—not to mention tires. But still they manage to keep growing, or at
the very least, sprout up a little and stay green. I reckon most people have
never even thought about it, how special they are. But I’ve thought about it a
lot . . . because I’m one of them.
spent a lot of time thinking about weeds. Not just the dandelion and chickweed
that pops up uninvited in people’s vegetable gardens. I’m talking about the
kind of weeds that squeeze themselves up through the tiniest of cracks in
sidewalks, and in roads and parking lots, and in little crevices in rocks.
They’re unattractive to most people, but I think these plants are remarkable.
Shallow soil, short roots, and trampled on by every pair of feet that happens
their way—not to mention tires. But still they manage to keep growing, or at
the very least, sprout up a little and stay green. I reckon most people have
never even thought about it, how special they are. But I’ve thought about it a
lot . . . because I’m one of them.
I
figured it out on a Saturday afternoon, in the early spring of my fifth-grade
year, at Susie Pennywell’s eleventh birthday party. I hadn’t laid eyes on Bert
in three days, as he came and went mostly while I was at school or asleep, so
it seemed okay to go without asking his permission.
figured it out on a Saturday afternoon, in the early spring of my fifth-grade
year, at Susie Pennywell’s eleventh birthday party. I hadn’t laid eyes on Bert
in three days, as he came and went mostly while I was at school or asleep, so
it seemed okay to go without asking his permission.
It
was a long walk to Susie’s house. I started out with a swift pace, determined
not to be the last kid at the party. But after the first twenty minutes, it
felt like my shoes were filled with lead. I shoved my hands down deep into the
pockets of my denim trousers and forced my legs to work harder, step by step.
That cake’s gonna be worth it, Nate. Just keep walkin’. That birthday cake will
surely be worth it, I thought.
was a long walk to Susie’s house. I started out with a swift pace, determined
not to be the last kid at the party. But after the first twenty minutes, it
felt like my shoes were filled with lead. I shoved my hands down deep into the
pockets of my denim trousers and forced my legs to work harder, step by step.
That cake’s gonna be worth it, Nate. Just keep walkin’. That birthday cake will
surely be worth it, I thought.
Back cover blurb
In the spring of 1961,
ten-year-old Nate "Weenie" Dooley has a revelation—his father is not
a good one. Inspired by National Geographic, his favorite thing next to the
Bible storybook his mother gave him before she died, Nate plans to leave his
father and their home in the Smokies to set out on adventure.
ten-year-old Nate "Weenie" Dooley has a revelation—his father is not
a good one. Inspired by National Geographic, his favorite thing next to the
Bible storybook his mother gave him before she died, Nate plans to leave his
father and their home in the Smokies to set out on adventure.
When he discovers that
his father has left him first, it will take the help of a stray dog, some kind
neighbors, a one-man-band, letters from a long-lost-aunt, and a new
understanding of God to figure out he isn't really alone.
his father has left him first, it will take the help of a stray dog, some kind
neighbors, a one-man-band, letters from a long-lost-aunt, and a new
understanding of God to figure out he isn't really alone.
Will he find that Copper
Creek is where he's always belonged? Or will his wanderlust keep him from ever
coming back?
Creek is where he's always belonged? Or will his wanderlust keep him from ever
coming back?
Please tell us five random things we might not
know about you.
know about you.
My favorite drinks are
black coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper.
black coffee and Diet Dr. Pepper.
I love to sing.
I’m a mom of four. My
kids are twelve, eight, and six, and my adorable foster son is two.
kids are twelve, eight, and six, and my adorable foster son is two.
My dad has been my pastor
all my life.
all my life.
I play the alto saxophone.
Why did you choose to write this book?
I don’t remember a specific inspiration for this
story. As with my first book, the characters seemed to show up in my brain one
day, and after I met them, I had to tell their story. The general concept of
the book probably comes from my heart for orphans, though. My desire to bring
awareness to the needs of children drives a lot of my writing.
story. As with my first book, the characters seemed to show up in my brain one
day, and after I met them, I had to tell their story. The general concept of
the book probably comes from my heart for orphans, though. My desire to bring
awareness to the needs of children drives a lot of my writing.
What one
thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?
thing about writing do you wish non-writers would understand?
I must write! It’s
something I am compelled to keep doing. And if I can’t find time to write for
several days, it starts to affect me emotionally. I feel like something is
missing.
something I am compelled to keep doing. And if I can’t find time to write for
several days, it starts to affect me emotionally. I feel like something is
missing.
What is the toughest test
you've faced as a writer?
you've faced as a writer?
Being patient. It takes a long time to bring a book
into the world, and I’m not very good at the waiting part.
into the world, and I’m not very good at the waiting part.
What do you hope readers to take away from your novel?
That God is good, regardless of our circumstances.
What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of,
writing-related or not?
writing-related or not?
Anything good about me comes from God, not me, so
I try to focus on gratitude instead of pride. I am extremely grateful for the
opportunity to publish my first two novels.
I try to focus on gratitude instead of pride. I am extremely grateful for the
opportunity to publish my first two novels.
What do you do for fun when not writing?
I enjoy being outdoors with my family—at
the beach or in the mountains. And I recently enjoyed performing in an outdoor
community theater production with my oldest daughter.
the beach or in the mountains. And I recently enjoyed performing in an outdoor
community theater production with my oldest daughter.
What are you
working on now?
working on now?
For a very short while, I’ve put novel writing on hold
to work on a devotional. I didn’t intend to start this project until much
later, but it feels like what I’m supposed to be doing now.
to work on a devotional. I didn’t intend to start this project until much
later, but it feels like what I’m supposed to be doing now.
Where else
can readers find you online?
can readers find you online?
Heather Norman Smith is
an author of inspirational fiction and a devotional blogger. Her goal is to use
the written word to entertain and encourage, while illuminating the redemptive
love of God. She also enjoys writing songs and singing about Jesus.
an author of inspirational fiction and a devotional blogger. Her goal is to use
the written word to entertain and encourage, while illuminating the redemptive
love of God. She also enjoys writing songs and singing about Jesus.
Heather is proud to be a
life-long North Carolinian and aims to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State
in her writing. Her home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives
with her husband and their three children. She and her husband are also foster
parents.
life-long North Carolinian and aims to present the beauty of the Tar Heel State
in her writing. Her home is just outside Winston-Salem, NC, where she lives
with her husband and their three children. She and her husband are also foster
parents.
