The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Thursday, July 31, 2014

The World According to Verna

        I had the privilege of interviewing Verna Simms on Saturday. Verna is 93; last year, she published her first novel, Water Under the Bridge. Is she content with just one book? Absolutely not. Verna says her next book will be her memoir.





         How did the inequality that women faced affect Verna? Watch this short (a minute or so long) video clip to find out...





          Is Verna plagued by writer's block? Click on the video below to find out.


           Who is Verna's mentor, when it comes to authors? Watch the next video clip...


       
What came first for Verna, the plot or the characters? Find out when you view the next clip.




         I wondered what inspired Verna to write this book. Most women her age would be sitting in a rocking chair and knitting. In the video below, Verna explains what drove her to write her novel.



              What does Verna tell her internal critic? Find it out by watching the clip.





          What do Amazon customers say about Verna's novel? Here is one review: 

Water Under the Bridge, by Verna Simms, has a host of compelling characters. Readers will love some of them, and a few they will hate. The story is set in the 1930s when women had neither a voice nor choice. Main character, feisty preteen, Amelia Hall takes readers on her family's unforgettable journey. The characters come to life on the page. They will stay with me long after closing the book, which I did today. What an adrenaline rush and climactic ending. Rousing applause for this book!

       I confess, I went to Verna's house with a resolve to not buy a book. My bookcase is bursting at the seams, I have a stack of books to read, and so on and so on. I left that afternoon with a book in my hand and a few bucks poorer--Verna was that compelling and that gifted of a salesperson. 

      Be persistent and don't give up. Be productive. And be a book-buyer--purchase Verna's book.

      



17 comments:

  1. Your interview was inspiring and Verna is amazing! A role model for us all!!

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    1. Claudia--Thanks. I agree--Verna is a phenomenal woman.

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  2. Great interview, Sioux. I LOVE Verna's video clips, and the one about writer's block was especially inspiring. My bookcases are full to brimming as well, but I will look for Verna's book. It's so important to support other authors, and I'm particularly happy to do so for someone as charming as Verna. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Teri--Thanks, and you're welcome. She DOES have a great attitude about writing, and she certainly inspired me to get off my rear and do something...

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  3. What an inspiration Verna is and I love what she tells the inner critic. What a doll. I'm sold, I'm buying her book!

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  4. Just bought her book at STL Books! I'm anxious to read it!

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    1. Lynn--I'm tellin' ya--she's a great salesperson.

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  5. She's awesome! I love the last clip and will take her advice to heart when my book debuts next year. "No one's perfect" and "It's just a book." Words to live by. Thanks, Verna!

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    1. Lisa--When your first book (first of three ;) comes out, we will ALL be singing your praises.

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  6. I do believe I'm in love with Verna. "It's just a book." LOVE her.

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    1. Cathy--She IS a doll. I wish I had Verna's spunk and determination, and I'm 40 years younger than her!

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  7. Has Verna read your post yet? I'll copy it to Facebook so she can show it to her family. Thanks for interviewing her - you asked questions I've never asked of her. Verna's a sweet woman, and I'm glad she's my friend.

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    1. Kim--Thank you soooo much for connecting us. I feel my life is richer after spending the afternoon with Verna. You're fortunate to be friends with her.

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  8. I loved that she said sexism "hit [her] below the belt." Sounds like a great book.

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  9. She's a great role model with wonderful advice for all writers!

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  10. Mary--I agree wholeheartedly. If I could have her attitude and her perseverance now--almost 40 years younger than her--I'd be thrilled.

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Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by...