We chat with author India Hill Brown about Girl from the Ashes, which follows two friends must dig into their town’s forgotten past and uncover the forgotten truth — before their whole town goes up in flames.
Hi, India! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi, everyone! My name is India Hill Brown. I live in South Carolina, with my husband, two sons and huge dog. I love reading and writing (obviously!) God, the beach, a good laugh with my family and friends, listening to Beyonce’, and the south.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I can’t remember a time where I wasn’t reading and writing. My mom *says* I started reading at three years old, and some of my first childhood memories were of me sitting at the kitchen table with a stack of loose leaf paper, writing a “novel.” I’ve just always loved the feeling of an empty page, a fresh pen, a sharpened pencil, a new book or notebook!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: I think it was Why Do Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ears by Verna Aardema? My first chapter books were Amber Brown is not a Crayon and Junie B. Jones and Her Big Fat Mouth. I was so proud of myself for reading them!
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: Evert Cloud Has a Silver Lining by Anne Mazer. I remember wanting to write books that felt JUST like that.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Anne of Green Gables and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe changed my LIFE when I read them! The Chronicles of Narnia solidified C.S. Lewis as my all time favorite author. L.M Montgomery wrote my absolute favorite fictional character in Anne. I related to her thought process so much. She just felt EVERYTHING so intensely.
Your latest novel, Girl from the Ashes, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Spooky. Library. Worth. Strength. History.
What can readers expect?
You can expect an autumnal feel in a spooky ghost story about a middle school aged boy and girl best friend duo. You can expect to see how they overcome the labels that both adults and peers put on them. You can see how they learn to channel their strengths instead of being made to be ashamed of them. You can expect history, love, family, and yes, scary moments from the library’s ghost!
Where did the inspiration for Girl from the Ashes come from?
So many places. I was really inspired to write a middle grade story from a young boy’s point of view, after having two sons of my own. After visiting Johnsonville Middle School in Johnsonville, South Carolina, I was very inspired to write a ghost story set in a small town. The kids there so kindly made me a travel guide about their town, and one of the places mentioned in the guide was The Ron McNair Life History Center, since it, and Ron McNair’s hometown, is very close to Johnsonville. After researching the center, I found out that Ron McNair was discriminated against in a library in his hometown at the age of 9 years old. The library was segregated and the police was called on him after he tried to check out a book in a section he wasn’t allowed in. Get this: that library later BECAME the Ron McNair Life History Center! That piece of information made me want to write a book about segregated libraries, starring a young, Black boy who loved space.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing both Carter John and Gianna. I like to say that I started out my grade school years as Gianna, but the older I got, the more misunderstood I became, just like Carter John. I got to see both perspectives of what this bff duo was going through, and I wanted to shed light on that.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I would say one challenge was balancing the art of writing with the art of motherhood. This is the first book I actually drafted since having my second child, and balancing all of the people and art forms I care about was so difficult at times. I am so passionate about all and want to give 100% to my children and my writing. I figured it out (I think!) and I think gratitude for being able to do what I love and care for who I love, learning to ask for help, and accept God’s grace were the keys to overcoming this.
What’s next for you?
I am so excited for what I’m working on now! I am unsure about what all I can share, but in the meantime, please subscribe to my newsletter by visiting indiahillbrown.com/blog. That will be the first place I update!
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?
I am currently reading Mistborn By Brandon Sanderson. I am only about a third of the way through. It’s been a while since I picked up such a high fantasy, but I am really loving it so far! After this, I think I will make my way back to Tolkien and start reading The Lord of the Rings. It’s got me back in the mood for fantasy!
