I tackle a few social issues in the book and hesitated on how to write about them, knowing that I might alienate some. Ultimately, my strong social justice voice prevailed and I included those in the novel in spite of the potential risk of losing readers.

Ann E Lowry – 4 November 2024

The Back Flap

Rachel Jackson’s idyllic life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers a woman’s scarf in her politician husband’s computer bag. But in an election year, seeking answers to questions of infidelity is not an option. When her mother gives her a family heirloom, a travel trunk owned by an ancestor, she finds a distraction. As she immerses herself in its contents, she discovers a woman whose life is vastly different from her own. Or is it? Determined to dispel the notion that her ancestor Marit was insane, Rachel sets out to unveil her unknown story. In the interwoven narratives of these two women, who are bound by blood and a shared struggle, “The Blue Trunk” is a poignant exploration of identity, love, and unwavering strength.

About the book

What is the book about?

The Blue Trunk is about two women, separated by a century but connected by blood. Their stories intertwine in the book as they both navigate abandonment and betrayal. Current day character, Rachel, is a privileged politician’s wife who feels stuck but finds courage and strength as she uncovers the mystery of what happened to her supposedly “insane” great-great aunt, Marit. It’s a poignant exploration of identity, family, love and resilience.

When did you start writing the book?

I started thinking about the book many years ago when I first learned about my ancestor, Marit, but got serious about it when I registered for the Loft Literary Center’s (Minneapolis) Intensive Novel Writing Class. It was then that I developed some consistent writing habits (every day). I also got excellent feedback from my peer writers and teacher.

How long did it take you to write it?

Is it done? Seriously, it will never feel done to me. I could probably work on it for a couple more years. My publisher told me it was done. Once I started it in earnest, it took a year to write it and two years to edit it. Editing is 90% of the process and about 10% of the fun.

Where did you get the idea from?

My mother was in possession of a blue travel trunk that had been used by my great-great aunt when she immigrated from Norway to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Marit’s name was written in perfect calligraphy on the trunk. I always loved the name so when my daughter was born, I mentioned to my mother that I planned to name her “Marit.” My mother responded with horror: “No, you can’t do that. She was insane.” While I should have been dissuaded, the insanity label only increased my interest in this woman. Years later, I joined a genealogy website to research her, but couldn’t find any information (but for her birth in Norway). It was odd because I found quite a bit of information on my great-great grandmother who had immigrated with her. I also had an autograph book Marit signed in 1889 in Blair, Wi, so I knew she did indeed arrive in Wisconsin.

I then decided to research insane asylums to see if I could find any records of her. Again, I hit a dead end. I discovered while asylum populations were counted in the census, individual patients weren’t necessarily identified. In fact, I couldn’t find any archival records of the asylum I expect she would have been in residence. I was also unable to find a death certificate for her.

Then I discovered the asylum cemetery in my hometown. I spent my first 18 years living in that town and never knew of the existence of the Old Orchard Cemetery, aka the Cemetery of the unknown. The cemetery is now nestled in the middle of a subdivision, a plaque greets anyone who visits: “This cemetery is the final place for residents of the former Eau Claire County Asylum, County Home and County Poor Farm. . . As you walk among these unassuming gravestones, you will see that some only have names, no birth or death dates, and some are unknown. Many of the older gravestones memorialize persons who spent their entire adult lives in the county asylum.”

Unable to find my great-great aunt’s name, I sadly concluded that she likely spent her entire life in the asylum and is probably buried in an unknown grave.

It was then that I knew I had to write a book to reclaim Marit’s life.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes.

I certainly wanted to be historically accurate about the treatment of women in asylums in the early 1900’s and it was hard to know how much detail to put into the book. My research uncovered a lot of terrible stories. I had made a decision to avoid sexual assault in my book, although that happened. I didn’t want gratuitous violence against women in the book. However, the treatments Marit has in the book are, for the most part, historically accurate.

I tackle a few social issues in the book and hesitated on how to write about them, knowing that I might alienate some. Ultimately, my strong social justice voice prevailed and I included those in the novel in spite of the potential risk of losing readers.

Writing about gender identity when I have always identified one way (she/her) was sometimes challenging. I wanted to do it right. And I researched and interviewed people so I was sure I was including the narrative in the right light. I tried to be careful not to appropriate a story that wasn’t mine to tell. I hesitated due to that, but ultimately decided that the issue needs to be discussed and fiction is a good way to start a conversation.

What came easily?

My characters and the plot. The characters grew and I let them go in the direction they wanted. For instance, Blake started out much differently than he ended up. And coming up with the plot was fairly easy. I must have an overactive imagination. J

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

For the most part, yes, they are a figment of my imagination. But it would be nearly impossible for me (and perhaps many writers) to have characters that are not based upon people they know. While I had to guess about Marit’s struggles, Rachel and I share some of the same life challenges.

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?

Kristin Hannah has influenced my writing. I love her books because they are filled with action and beautiful descriptions. In fact, before I started this book, I outlined The Great Alone (my favorite Kristin Hannah book) to get a sense of how she lays out plot and story.

Peter Geye (also my Loft teacher and initial editor) has written many wonderful books about Scandinavian immigrants. He is a beautiful writer and I often pick up one of his books and open to any page, just to get inspired.

Do you have a target reader?

Women of all ages but I am also targeting a general fiction audience, which may include men. I will add that the book leans toward a more liberal social agenda and I do make some fairly strong statements about current day issues and that might be off-putting to some.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I do. I typically write for about four hours a day. I like to get in exercise in the morning (I swim and do yoga) so I often will take a break from my writing to do that. When I was intensely in the book, I wrote nearly every day and sometimes that included weekends.

If I have writers block, I go for a walk or bake something.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I don’t do formal outlining. I doodle and do story boards and also prompted writing.

I used post it notes to organize the chapters in The Blue Trunk because I was connecting two different stories and needed to be thoughtful about the back and forth. I didn’t want to confuse readers.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

For The Blue Trunk, I edited based upon peer feedback, but generally worked to just get the story down. In the future, I’ll likely edit more as I go.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No. I am easily distracted by noise and I need quiet to concentrate on my writing.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I submitted to 36 agents and tracked them on Querytracker. I noticed that many hadn’t asked for anything for a very long time (months, years) and that the genres they were asking for were not in my area.

I simultaneously submitted to publishers that didn’t require agents which is how I found my publisher.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher?

Ultimately, time. It seems to me that a writer must decide if they are building an audience for one book, or building a brand as an author. If you are building a brand, time is money, so to speak. I added up the time it would take to get an agent and then the time it would take for the agent to get a publisher and concluded it could easily be a three-year process. And that was if I got lucky and found an agent. As someone with little notoriety, it would have been very hard to find an agent.

Also, I did quite a bit of research on the publishing industry and found that, according to an Author’s Guild survey, self-published authors were only making $10,000 less per year than traditionally published authors. So I reasoned that the time and effort wasted in a three-year process wasn’t worth the presumable additional income.

Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Gradual (see above). But I will add that the acquisition editor for the publisher I went with impressed me because it was obvious he had read my entire book. I had a couple other interested parties but they clearly didn’t know my book.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The publisher designed the cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have received some marketing support through the publisher, but I also hired a promotions company to assist. They have been very good at finding outlets for me to promote my book. But I will say that you need to have a point of interest. In my case, it appears that most podcasters, for instance, are interested in my understanding of insane asylums and the treatment of women in the early 1900’s.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

1. Go for it! The current publishing industry is broken and new authors cannot easily get a foot in the door. And despite what anyone says, there are some very well written books that are self-published (and some really poorly written books that are traditionally published!). Colleen Hoover self-published many of her books until she was picked up by a traditional publisher. I last read that she has sold over 20 million books. Like her work or not, what she has done is pretty amazing.
2. Do your research on self-publishing and know what is in store for you. Ultimately, I chose not to do it, but I could have because I had a pretty good sense of how to do it. There are videos and books that can guide you.
3. Be prepared to hire help. Know your weaknesses. In my case, I am a terrible editor because I am not visual—which is one reason I didn’t self-publish. I wanted professional editing help.
4. Be aware of predatory hybrid publishers. They are a dime a dozen. I had bids ranging from $2,000 to $65,000 from hybrid publishers. That said, there are many reputable ones. You just need to do your homework.
5. Be prepared for the long haul. You will think your book is done, and it’s not. I had over fifteen versions/edits of my book. It takes time and persistence.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin but spent most of my life in Minneapolis, MN.

Where do you live now?

I now live just outside of Fort Collins, Colorado, about 50 miles north of Denver.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I have a therapy dog named Loki and we do hospice work. I am a partner, mother and new grandmother. Swimming is my thing.

What are you working on now?

Promotions for The Blue Trunk but I hope soon to start on my next book. I have two ideas. One is a novel based upon my aunt who was in the Women’s Air Corp during WWII. The other is on Molly Brown (unsinkable Molly Brown). I like writing about strong women.

End of Interview:

For more from Ann Lowry visit her website and like her Facebook page.

Get your copy of The Blue Trunk from Amazon US or Amazon UK.