At that moment, I realized I knew nothing about forgiveness. I assumed that there were crimes and acts that were unforgivable, but I learned the opposite.
Tarah Shelton Harris – 16 July 2023
The Back Flap
It’s been eight years since Sara Lancaster left her home in Savannah, Georgia. Eight years since her daughter, Alana, came into this world, following a terrifying sexual assault that left deep emotional wounds Sara would do anything to forget. But when Sara’s father falls ill, she’s forced to return home and face the ghosts of her past.
While caring for her father and running his bookstore, Sara is desperate to protect her curious, outgoing, genius daughter from the Wylers, the family of the man who assaulted her. Sara thinks she can succeed—her attacker is in prison, his identical twin brother, Jacob, left town years ago, and their mother are all unaware Alana exists. But she soon learns that Jacob has also just returned to Savannah to piece together the fragments of his once-great family. And when their two worlds collide—with the type of force Sara explores in her poetry and Jacob in his astrophysics—they are drawn together in unexpected ways.
About the book
What is the book about?
One Summer in Savannah tells the story of a woman who conceives a child after a sexual assault and must decide whether to allow her attacker’s family into her daughter’s life, something made even more difficult when she falls in love with the last person she expects: His twin brother, Jacob.
When did you start writing the book?
I kicked around the idea for about a year and spent a few months researching. I officially started writing in February 2020.
How long did it take you to write it?
Approximately 10 months. I was able to achieve this because my library closed for two and a half months for COVID and I was able to work from home and write at the same time.
Where did you get the idea from?
Inspiration for One Summer in Savannah stems from the 2015 Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. After the parishioners fed him and prayed for him, a man shot and killed nine of them. Days after that terrible tragedy, before they had even buried their loved ones, some of the survivors and relatives of those killed walked into a South Carolina courtroom and forgave the shooter. At that moment, I realized I knew nothing about forgiveness. I assumed that there were crimes and acts that were unforgivable, but I learned the opposite. The loved ones who forgave him taught me to look inward, and I learned that forgiveness is not one size-fits-all. I decided to explore that by writing a book that challenged readers on the definition of forgiveness and what it truly means to forgive.
I also gleamed inspiration from the Saras of the world. One Summer in Savannah is a work of fiction, but portions of Sara’s story are real. There’s a person who lives Sara’s story who conceived a child through sexual assault and practices the act of forgiveness every day. Her story and the millions of other Saras in this world shine a light on an even darker side of sexual assault that no one ever talks about.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The decision to make Daniel and Jacob identical twins. I toyed with this idea back and forth and ultimately decided to go for it. Making them identical twins allowed me to stretch and explore an unexpected and unique nuance. It would have been easy for me, for Sara, for the reader, to accept Jacob if he were a fraternal twin. Sara has been running from her past for eight years and when she finally accepts her plight and begins her walk toward forgiveness, I wanted Sara to face, quite literally, her past. While they are identical twins, certain circumstances (no spoilers) have altered their appearance but making them fraternal twins would have been taking the easy way out when forgiveness is anything but easy.
What came easily?
The last chapter. I write all of my books longhand but when it came to the last chapter, I typed it directly on my computer. It remains the only chapter that I have written this way. I write my books longhand because my thoughts flow better, easier. But for some reason I was driven to write it on the computer. I remember starting and the words and thoughts just flowed. It was eerie. It’s almost entirely published as I wrote it. Which is also very strange. I’m incredibly happy with the way it turned out. I guess it was meant to be.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
I think we as writers knowingly or unknowingly bring a little of our history, our lives into the books we write. There’s no one character in One Summer in Savannah borrowed in it’s entirely from someone in my life. But I will say that all the characters have personality traits and features from people I know.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Where do I even begin? I’ve read everything by Celeste Ng and Brit Bennett. As a writer, if I’m chasing anyone, it would be them. I’m moved by their storytelling abilities but also their prose and writing styles. I’m also a huge Taylor Jenkins Reid, S.A. Cosby, Mateo Askaripour, and Jess Walter fan.
Do you have a target reader?
Anyone with an open heart and mind is an ideal or my target reader for One Summer in Savannah or any of my books. I invite anyone looking to read something different and explore new topics and ideals to read my books. I strive to read about topics and circumstances that happen to people but are rarely covered in fiction.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I write all of my books longhand. I wish I could explain why but the simple truth is that the words and thoughts flow better when I write them out. Writing longhand is much less distracting than typing on a computer. I also don’t write linear. That’s not the way my brain works.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I am a proud pantser. I plan the end of my book, plot a few key scenes, and connect the dots. I’ve tried to outline but I feel as if my creative process is weighed down. I love the freedom of allowing my characters to guide the story and take it in the direction they want.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I’m team edit as you go. I know this is one of those rules we are told as writers that we should not do but my brain will not allow me to move on until I’m somewhat pleased with what I wrote. I don’t linger on it for too long but when I’m finished writing for the day, I’m happy with what I wrote. Editing this way means that my first drafts are really second drafts and I’m fine with that. I’m fine with putting in the work as I go instead of waiting until the end.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I work with an amazing editor, Kristin Thiel. We’ve worked together on three books now and I cannot imagine writing a book without her. I like to say that she makes my writing sing. Working with Kristin is effortless. She understands my style and works to enhance it. She asks hard-hitting questions related to plot and character development and is not afraid to tell me if a scene needs to be fleshed out or if it’s unnecessary. I know hiring a professional editor is not financially possible for everyone and that finding one that meshes well with you is not easy but I’m so happy that found Kristin. She’s the best.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Absolutely not! LOL! Seriously…I wish I could and I’m envious of writers who can listen to music or sit and write at a loud coffee shop without headphones. I need complete silence to write, or my attention will be pulled in different directions.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I love this question because it gives me an opportunity to tell my unique story. I finished writing One Summer in Savannah at the end of 2020 and started pitching it at the start of 2021. I got off to an amazing start with lots of full requests that were met with some of the most beautiful rejections you can imagine. But by the end of 2021, I had a few full requests out but was growing leery if I would ever find an agent. Until Erin McClary, my editor, responded to my query and first 50 pages, asking for the full manuscript. It was miracle that I was able to query her at all. At the time, Erin’s submissions were open to unagented BIPOC writers and I took advantage. After a few weeks, Erin sent me the best news of my life. But I didn’t have an agent! I spent the next few weeks interviewing agents and bonded with Abby Saul immediately. I could have never imagined that I would have a book deal before signing with an agent.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Chicago and raised in Southern Illinois.
Where do you live now?
I live in a small town in Southeast Alabama.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I like to say that I’m a lover of life. I find joy in the simple things. The rain, the moon, and the stars. I love writing and reading. I love music but I also love silence. I love to laugh. I find joy and peace in learning things I don’t know. I love traveling but I also love to be at home. I find joy in conversation and discussion. I try to be as present in life as possible so as not to miss anything. I probably fail more at this than I succeed but the thought is there, and I do try. There’s joy in just about everything if we take the time to see it and enjoy it.
What are you working on now?
I just started writing my third book after submitting my second book, Long After We Are Gone, to my editor, Erin McClary. Long After We Are Gone continues my theme of writing books with bittersweet endings. It’s a family saga that tells the story of four siblings—each fighting their own personal battle—return home in the wake of their father’s death to save their family home—and themselves.
End of Interview:
Get your copy of One Summer in Savannah from Amazon US or Amazon UK.