Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Paulette Mahurin
Book Title: Over the Hedge
Released: 07/31/21
Genre: Historical Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
Mahurin: Thank you, Heather, for having me over to your great site. I really appreciate the opportunity to have this chat with you.
What inspired you to write “Over the Hedge”?
Mahurin: I came across an article about three heroic figures: a Christian school principal and two Jewish people who worked with the Dutch resistance during WW2 to help rescue children. When I read that these three selfless people helped to rescue over 600 children from the Amsterdam deportation center, I was drawn to the story. Based on real events, I researched it. Read survivor accounts and felt extremely motivated to write the story about how children were brought to the deportation center, housed in a daycare across the street, and moved over the backyard fence of the daycare to the college next door where they were hidden in boxes, laundry baskets, suitcases, etc. and transported out the front door to Dutch families working with the Resistance.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Mahurin: The main characters are based on the actual people. Written in the historical fiction genre, I incorporated some fictitious characters to flesh out the storyline.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Mahurin: I’m a disciplined writer. I work like the Nike commercial: Just do it. I sit down and write. I put in the time. I usually have an idea in my head of the storyline and begin research from there on themes to incorporate into the scenes. I flesh out characters giving them characteristics and identifies if not already historically known, I research the time and place for scene accuracy. With those loose ideas jotted down, I begin. I go through several drafts working with my historical editor before I turn it over to a content and line editor. Then onto publishing.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Mahurin: What I tell people who want to write is simply sit down in the chair and write. That’s what defines a writer. Don’t let your internal critic tell you that you can’t write and don’t focus on some not-here endgame. Stay with your fingers hitting the keys and let unfold what will. If you have a story in mind write it without trying to edit it; in other words don’t worry about how it sounds, looks, etc. just vomit out the words and leave the correctional aspects up to an editor up the road. Lastly, don’t deprive yourself of the process of writing; being in the moment here and now spilling your gut, sharing your feelings, telling your story, fear not and simply just do it.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Mahurin: I’m currently reading a lot of historical fiction but I don’t really have a favorite genre that I’m glued to. For me a good story is what draws me; does the synopsis grab me? I’ll read just about anything if my interest is piqued.
What are you working on next?
Mahurin: A story that takes place in Vichy France, 1944 considered by many to be the biggest tragedy on French soil during WW2. The massacre of Oradour-sur-Glane. I’m at the tail end of the writing process and hope to have it out within a month or two.
Learn More About the Author and Over the Hedge here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Paulette-Mahurins-Books-69510816396020
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Paulette-Mahurin/e/B008MMDUGO
Blog: https://thepersecutionofmildreddunlap.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5895757.Paulette_Mahurin
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or Kindle Unlimited
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