Tess Hilmo is the author of “With a Name Like Love.” Below is a complete transcript of her interview with Cracking the Cover.
Background — Have you always wanted to write? Why?
Looking back, I realize that I always enjoyed writing and language in general. I was big on challenging my friends to Scrabble and Boggle throw downs in high school, but I didn’t really equate that to being a writer. It wasn’t until years later, when I was put on bed rest with my second child that I considered writing a novel length work. I had watched television for two weeks straight and was sick and tired of that kind of bed rest. I decided, if I was going to be on my back for an extended period of time, I might as well be productive.
What did you do before writing?
I worked as a litigation specialist for an insurance company. At one point, I considered going to law school but now I know it was more about my love for words and forming stories (which they call arguments) than about the actual practice of law.
Why write for middle readers?
Middle grade is a “sweet spot” in children’s literature. Sandwiched between early chapter books and teen novels, middle grade stories are quite often the first novel length works we read in our youth. As such, they have a special place in a child’s life. It is a sincere privilege to be able to write for this age group.
Do you have any rituals? Do you write all day?
I have to muse on my stories. I take walks and long drives. I ponder and jot notes. Sometimes I even have to eat a whole tub of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to do it. 😉
Where did the idea for “With a Name Like Love” come from?
I adore old, classic Southern gospel music. Songs like Amazing Grace and Go Down Moses and Swing Low Sweet Chariot have always spoken to me on a deep level. I recall sitting around the campfire as a little girl and singing those songs with my family. As an adult, I wrote a song called Lead Me On that was patterned after those old classics. I played it for my mother and she said, “You should write a story to go with that song.” With a Name Like Loveis that story. It is a celebration of love and family and those songs that have always helped me believe in myself. What’s fun is that my original song is actually featured in the novel!
How long did you work on it?
It took me five months to write the first draft and another year and a half to revise it before I knew it was ready for submission.
“With a Name Like Love” is your debut novel. How many other books did you write before getting published?
I love this question! I think it is important to acknowledge the journey publication is for most writers. For me, it was a total of nine years and three completed novels. The first two are what I call “practice novels” and are shoved in a drawer somewhere, never to see the light again. I say completed novels because there are another five or six stories that I began and never felt inspired to finish.
Who is your favorite character in the book? Why?
I adore Jimmy. He has a faith and belief in himself that runs deep and inspires me. This little boy is in a terrible situation, but he never once doubts his worth. There is a specific scene where Ollie assumes he is unhappy and wants to leave his home. He has every reason to be miserable, but he is actually surprised by her question and tells her how much he wants to stay and work the problem out. Jimmy is the kind of boy I’d love any of my girls to end up with.
What were the challenges working on “With a Name Like Love”? The highlights?
The challenge was writing about an itinerant preaching family in the South without having the novel be too much about their faith. It is a slice of Americana that intrigues me and I found it a natural setting for the story I wanted to tell, but this novel is not about faith. It is about a faith filled family and keeping that line clearly delineated was a constant thought. On the fun side, it was amazing to write a story that represents much of who I am as an individual.
Why did you set it in the South in the 1950s?
The inspiration for the novel was that Southern gospel music I spoke of, so the setting and timeframe just seemed to easily fall in place.
“With a Name Like Love” has a quiet, understated feel to it. And it celebrates spirituality on a number of levels. How did you accomplish that?
I never intended to write a novel that highlighted faith on any level. I simply wanted to write about this family and their experience helping someone who was in sincere need. I was careful to keep each character distinct and individual. Whether it was about the murder mystery or about their relationships with one another or about their feelings on the travelling lifestyle, I was constantly working to keep within the bounds of that individual. In the end, I think it was these efforts that allowed their faith to come across as genuine instead of preachy or separate from the story. Besides, you simply can’t write a novel set in the South without a few “Dear Lord”’s or “Sweet Jesus!”’s. That is what makes Southern literature so fun!
Where did the frogs come from?
My family moved to Utah ten years ago for my husband’s work. One of the first weekends we were here, there was a huge summer rain storm. Suddenly, we heard a knock at our door and opened it to find a band of neighborhood children standing on our porch with buckets in their hands. “Can we look around your yard for frogs?” they asked, grinning wide. Coming from a more city setting, we were taken aback a bit. But, we grabbed our buckets and joined them, wandering around and searching the creek bed that runs through our backyard. It was a fantastic welcome to our new neighborhood.
What do you hope readers will get out of “With a Name Like Love”?
It is really meaningful when someone contacts me after reading the novel and tells me the story moved them on some level. I am so thankful for that experience. Still, I can’t assume anyone will get specific things from reading. I didn’t write any messages into the story. I didn’t start with the intent of sharing a viewpoint. I simply wanted to write a Southern murder mystery that had meaning to me. One example of how this is true comes from my experience writing the father, Reverend Everlasting Love. When I began, I asked myself, “Who will this man be?” For a moment, I considered having him be a bit of a philanderer or a louse to cause conflict in the story (all stories need conflict!). But, the moment I considered it, this thought came to my head, “That is not who I am” and I knew I needed to write him as most itinerant preachers really were—hard working, kind, faith filled men. They weren’t perfect but they were doing the best they could in a sometimes difficult situation.
So, I guess my only desire is that readers connect to the characters. That is the most any author can hope for.
Your book was released a few weeks ago. How has the response been?
Amazing! Honestly, so much more than I could ever dream of. The best moments are being able to discuss the novel with people who were touched by the story. That never gets old.
What are you working on now?
As much as this story evokes a deep, Southern feel, my next story evokes a broad sky, Western feel (at least, that is my hope!). It’s another middle grade work with characters who are learning about who they are and how they can make their own adventures in life. I’m loving it so far!
Looking back, how has your writing evolved from when you first started until now?
***Oh, this is a wonderful thing to think about. I was once told, “Be willing to listen”. Critique can be difficult to accept, but I believe it is the magic key to publication. Honest, forthright critique from a trusted source is the greatest gift any writer can receive. I recall having the opportunity to be reviewed early on by a truly trusted source. She had some tough things to say but couched it with much encouragement and direction. I came away thrilled, but a friend of mine only felt defeated after having the same experience. It made me sad to see how she had missed the gift that was being offered and I promised myself to always be willing to listen. Now, I may not always agree with the advice given, but I do have an open mind.
Did you have a favorite book or book that really resonated with you as a young reader?
Hands down, The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. That book started my love affair with historical fiction. I think I’ve read it no less than a dozen times!