|
Robert Hicks graciously agreed to an interview this month. His novels center on the Civil War times and are not to be missed. His newest title, The Orphan Mother, comes out September 13th. His other titles include The Widow of the South and A Separate Country.
What inspired you to write books about the Civil War?
I live in Franklin, Tennessee. I am surrounded by 'layered history.' There is all that I can see and all that has come before. I got involved in the preservation and restoration of Carnton Plantation. I wanted to know the story behind it all and eventually, in piecing the story together, I wanted to tell that story.
What projects are you working on right now?
A screenplay about a legendary whisky-maker. Beyond that and the launch of Orphan Mother, I continue to be involved in my work for my community - battlefield preservation, support of O'More College of Design in Franklin and other work on the quality of life here.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
So much of my life is focused on my community life. Beyond that, I am a collector of southern material culture - whether history or objects. Beyond that, it could be noted that I am unhealthily very attached to 'Jake, The World's Greatest Dog.'
Have you received any interesting feedback or questions from readers?
My life since I became a scribbler is full of questions from readers. Questions about history (understandably). Questions about the supernatural (not really understandable), but ALWAYS interesting for sure.
How can fans keep up with you on social media?
Now, that's a great question. They can go to www.robert-hicks.com or meet up with me on Facebook or Twitter or just about any other form of social media out there.
Do you have a favorite library memory?
I was raised by folks who loved books and taught us to love libraries. I was that kid who went to the library every Saturday as a kid and took home a stack of books. I'm not sure how many we were allowed to check out, but it always seemed like they let me take home as many as I could carry. We were taught that libraries were good and safe places and the folks that worked there were our friends. I am grateful, beyond these words, for the libraries - my town's public library, my schools' libraries, the private libraries (like the Society of Four Arts' Library) of my childhood. |
