Why I Wrote the Book by Anna Hamilton – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Anna Hamilton will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, in addition to the gift card, the author will offer a prize to a second winner: a store coupon from Between the Lines Publishing/Liminal Press (half price print book or free ebook). Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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I wrote this story because I was so touched by my father’s dementia. Sadness lived beside me every minute of every day. The caretaking and its effects on the caretaker are huge. I was repulsed by the nursing home that had no visitors for its residents. The experience forever changed me. The importance of staying present with those on their way out of life slapped me in the face during this time which then became my goal, my mission, my message—hence, Boy.

I had first written a memoir following my father’s death, set during the time he lived in the nursing home. I wrote about the characters that saved me from losing my mind long after they had lost theirs. These people were gifts to me. When I returned to this writing for editing, I found it too raw, too personal, so I created a fictional story with characters from my lifetime. It became a very enjoyable task because as I wrote I returned to these people and even myself, in all the stages of my life. I returned to the farms that as a child I loved, the smells and the tastes of simple rural life.

When I had completed Boy, I felt as though the Band-Aid had been ripped off and I could begin again with my own life.

Boy is a story about a few weeks in the lives of Hugh and Betty Roberts, an elderly couple living alone on a family farm in Iowa. They are buried deep in grief over the loss of their only child and struggling to hang on to the only life they have ever known when dementia sneaks in. An unusual visitor brings a welcome distraction and reprieve just before the Thanksgiving holiday.

Join this couple and other unforgettable characters as they prepare to share in a memorable and much needed Thanksgiving gathering at the old couple’s farm. What transpires is credited to friendship, love and the relentless power of hope. Directly or indirectly we are reminded of what really matters on this brief walk we call Life.

Enjoy an Excerpt

He had just finished the last bit of paint on the sign when the phone began to ring, startling him. He hurried into the kitchen to grab a paper towel to wipe the paint off his hands, but before he could get to the phone, the ringing had stopped. He heard Betty say “hello?”

With all of the strange happenings lately he shouldn’t have been surprised that she’d answered the phone. Anything was possible, he thought as he walked back into the room and burst into laughter when he saw that she hadn’t picked up the phone at all, but a statue of Roy Rogers that sat next to her on the end table. She was holding it up against her ear, as if waiting for someone to answer her greeting.

He couldn’t help himself. “Who is it?” he asked.

Sitting Roy back down on the table she said, “They hung up.”

“They’ll call back,” he said laughing. And they did call back, but by then Betty was no longer interested. She had faded away again.

About the Author: Anna Hamilton (1958- present) was born in Des Moines Iowa. She lives in Northern Minnesota along the Canadian border where she owns and operates a small restaurant in the village of Grand Marais. During the slower winter months she writes, preferring fiction over non-fiction. “Fiction” she says, “is much easier to create because you can be on the outside of a story looking in, rather than on the inside, fighting your way out.” Hence her first novel ‘Boy’.

When she is not working or writing, her time is spent mentoring children in need and advocates on behalf of both children and the elderly. She and her sister Sarah are currently working towards building ‘affordable’ housing for their community. Part of the proceeds from her first novel ‘Boy’ will be dedicated to help finance that project.

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Comments

  1. Thanks for hosting

    • Anna Hamilton says

      Thank you. Good morning everyone….on my way to work but will check back in to see if there are any questions or comments for me. Have a great day! Anna Hamilton

  2. Lisa Bussard says

    So proud of you Anna!

  3. Kristy L Cramblet says

    Lucky to know you Anna! As I read, and reread, I could hear you telling this story. So thoughtful and touching. Loved all the characters! Going to read this new edition as well. You are a true character, and it comes out in your writing. Looking forward to more! Peace!

  4. Victoria Alexander says

    Thanks for sharing the excerpt!

  5. Sounds like a very good book.

  6. nice excerpt

  7. Debbie P says

    This sounds like a very good read!

  8. It is very touching to see how writing was a way to cope and escape and express. It is very hard to see what happens when people have dementia, and being a caregiver is very hard. It sounds excellent!

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