Sunday, December 29, 2013

THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR

by Barbara Claypole White


How are you celebrating New Year’s Eve this year? I’ll be sipping champagne, enjoying a roaring fire with friends…and ignoring the loop-the-loops in my stomach. December 31, 2013 is release day for me, which means I get to kiss goodbye to THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR and wave my book baby off into the big wide world of one-star bashings and five-star raves. And, well, I’m having a little separation anxiety.
Maybe I never learned to share in the sandbox, but I want to hold THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR close and say, “Back off, people, this one’s mine.” You see, writing THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR helped me through a difficult moment in my personal life. That moment is long gone, but something about the journey of my quirky, messed-up characters still feels like a locket worn close to my heart.
The inspiration for everything I write comes from being the mother of a brilliant son who has battled obsessive-compulsive disorder for most of his life. OCD frames my world, even though it has never held back my son and has never defined him. (What can I say, the British war mentality flows in his genes.) But while I was working on THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR, he slipped into a dark place, and my mind stuck on the little boy who cried on my lap saying, “Make it stop, Mommy. Make it stop.”
As I watched him claw his way out, my son’s struggles reminded me that even in the darkest moments of anxiety and fear, there’s always hope. THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR is a story of hope.
The setting is my corner of the North Carolina forest. The land surrounding our home speaks to me. It echoes with history, with real-life stories from the past: there’s an old path worn smooth by Native American moccasins, a family burial plot, and a tumbled down homestead that’s surrounded by daffodils every spring. This is a place of memories, of hidden beauty, of deep shade and dancing light.
My favorite time in our forest is that magical hour at the close of day called the gloaming. An in-between time—neither day nor night—this is when the birds call each other home, the shadows grow long, and the sinking sun hits the treetops. For me, that golden light flickering between the leaves epitomizes hope, and it’s a recurring motif in the novel.
THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR is a story of light shining through the trees. My characters come from two broken families each battling unwanted memories and invisible disabilities—severe grief and clinical depression. Yet their coming together brings healing. Their story gives hope for a better tomorrow and isn’t that what we all wish for on New Year’s Eve?
In celebration of THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR’s release, I will be giving away one signed copy (North America residents only). To enter, just leave a comment below.
Happy, happy 2014, everyone!
 
Barbara Claypole White is the award-winning author of THE UNFINISHED GARDEN, a love story about grief, OCD, and dirt. THE IN-BETWEEN HOUR is her second novel. Visit her at barbaraclaypolewhite.com, or follow her on Facebook or Twitter.


28 comments:

  1. Congratulations, on The In-Between Hour, Barbara! I can't wait to read the book. I've heard that it is quite brilliant. Enjoy your pub day!

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  2. I don't know about quite brilliant, but thanks, Maggie! xox

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  3. Congrats, Barbara! It sounds like a magnificent book. Wishing you a happy New Year ... and as many 5-star raves as your heart can handle!

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  4. I LOVED Barbara's The In-Between Hour--a story about hope and family, filled with terrific characters and an intriguing, make-you-think kind of plot! If you don't win one, BUY one! It's that good.

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  5. If anyone has problems posting a comment, leave one on my Facebook page, and I'll count it as an entry. Here's the link:
    https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraClaypoleWhite

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  6. This is beautiful. I love reading the background of stories, and I don't know that I have heard one written quite as eloquently as this. Thanks for sharing - can't wait for this book.

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  7. Stories of hope inspired by tragedy. There's nothing better. Congratulations, Barbara. And thank you for sharing.

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  8. Your book sounds wonderful! Happy release day one day early!

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  9. Happy Release day one day early from me too. I will be looking forward to reading the book.

    Ann Ellison
    abilene_nana@yahoo.com

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  10. Beautiful and eloquent. Thanks for sharing and congrats on the new novel.

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  11. Wow! What a beautiful introduction to your book. I loved your description of that time between light and darkness in the woods...you really touched something inside me...Hoping that you have great luck with your book. I look forward to reading it...please not angling for a free book. I will find it in due time as I will request it either the library or bookstore...so long as it is a book of hope I wish it every success!

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  12. Your name is Barbara, so it's got to be good! Can't wait to read it. I was referred to you by Ellen Marie Wiseman's Facebook page.

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    1. Yay! I love Ellen Marie Wiseman--thrilled to be sharing a launch date with her.

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  13. Barbara,
    Just wanted to say W00T!!!! Congrats again on your release day! I *loved* reading The In-Between Hour and I know so many others will feel the same ;). *hugs*

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  14. Congratulations, Barbara! I loved your first novel, The Unfinished Garden, and can't wait to read The In-Between Hours.

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  15. And we have a winner--BeautynTravel. Please contact me at bclaypolewhite@gmail.com with your mailing address. Congratulations!

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