Hello, all, and happy fall! In honor of the upcoming release of Novelists in November, Wild Blue Wonder Press' autumn-themed bookish anthology, I have one of its authors on to share some insight into her story! Please welcome Andrea Renee Cox!
My Novelists in November story, Melting-Pot Thanksgiving, features a duplex full of cultures. Sarah Jones is a white foster mother to a teenage black boy and a preteen Korean American girl. Each member of this family comes with his or her own culture—traditions, habits, and ways of behaving—the sum of which packs Sarah’s half of the duplex to the gills. It was fun researching and writing these cultures.
What surprised me the most once I got writing was that the different cultures played significant roles in some key moments in the story. How Sarah interacts with her parents and brother and the ways in which she mothers her children are varying shades of my experience as a Texan.* DJ’s manner during his most upset moments reflects the gangster background of his biological family. The way that Eun-Ji (pronounced Un-Jee) respects her elders shows how much honor is typically placed on the most aged members of Korean families.
What didn’t surprise me was that the cultures clashed at times. However, it wasn’t so much the cultures but the people who actually clashed. As in real life, these characters proved to be more than just their cultures, and their personalities didn’t always get along. What made their interactions so special was how they learned to ask forgiveness when they hurt one another and how they supported each other when life got rough. These are the sorts of things that supersede any differences we might have and what can heal a family, a community, and an entire nation.
One of my favorite moments is close to the end. While I can’t share the exact details, I will say this: Sarah’s heart for her found family is exquisitely expressed in the way in which she helps Eun-Ji’s halmae (grandmother) Min (pronounced Meen). This scene features the woman’s culture in a unique way, and I wept joyful tears as I typed Sarah’s act of selfless love. That moment in the story was the perfect culmination of all the earlier culture struggles and differences the family had experienced.
Writing this story that featured a melting-pot of cultures reminded me of just how important it is to cherish the personal traditions, habits, and ways of behaving that make up the cultures of the people in one’s circle of friends and family. I love learning about cultures from around the world, but there are also plenty of interesting ones right in my own community. I just need to ask questions and listen closely in order to find them.
What sort of cultures does your family have?
What variety of cultures are right in your community?
* Sarah’s story is fictional. There are hints of my own tastes and habits, such as trying new dishes for holiday meals and shoving up my sweater sleeves because they feel “in the way” when I type, but the most dramatic bits are in no way meant to be autobiographical or reflect any real persons in my life.
the anthology
Novelists in November
a Wild Blue Wonder Press anthology
Novelists in November is a Christian short story collection featuring eleven emotional tales of authors finding their calling in Christ and pursuing hope, joy, and inspiration. This anthology contains touching stories from contemporary and historical fiction authors with a mix of romance, women’s fiction, and mystery!
Andrea Renee Cox: “Melting-Pot Thanksgiving”
Bethany Willcock: “And As She Talked”
Hannah E. Gridley: “Reasons to Be Thankful”
Katja H. Labonté: “Act in the Living Present”
Faith D. Cox: “My Heart Still Sings”
Kellyn Roth: “Tollemache House”
Katie Zeliger: “Finding Beauty in the Suffering”
Shira J. Rodriguez: “The Lost History of Lavender Lockbourne”
Heather Flynn: “Pages of Grace”
Avrie Swan: “The Sound of Healing”
Kelsey Bryant: “Between Moor and Mountain”
the story
Melting-Pot Thanksgiving by Andrea Renee Cox
Can she create the Imperfect Perfect Thanksgiving?
Sarah Jones has many responsibilities on her plate, but Thanksgiving wasn’t supposed to be one of them. When asked to host the holiday, she can’t push aside the task, even if it means dealing with her mother’s interference. As Sarah juggles meal preparations, a tight writing deadline, and guiding her two foster children through difficult life events, she must also find the courage to buck high expectations and family traditions.
Will the trials of strained communication, disappointment, heartache, and altered plans strengthen Sarah’s God-given novelist dreams? Will this imperfect yet dutiful daughter find a way to craft the perfect Thanksgiving dinner?
preorder goodies & giveaway
Novelists in November releases on November 19, 2024, so there’s still time to preorder your copy and get exclusive goodies, including audiobook narration for one of the stories, a recipe, bonus epilogues, and more! You can preorder on Amazon or straight from Wild Blue Wonder Press, then fill out the form below to claim your goodies!
PLUS everyone who preorders a copy of the book (ebook or paperback) get an entry into a giveaway that is exclusive to the folks who preorder the book!
the author
Born and raised in north Texas, Andrea Renee Cox is a born-again child of God who enjoys writing stories that inspire, copyediting fiction manuscripts, tutoring middle school students, and going on road trips with her family. Whether she’s working on historical or contemporary, women’s fiction, romance, or romantic tragedy, she uses her skills in research and writing techniques—as well as a large dose of prayer and guidance from God—at every turn in the journey to produce the best story of her ability every single time. Her books may be found on her website, and readers are welcome to follow her blog and subscribe to her newsletter for the latest updates in her journey.
Have you preordered Novelists in November yet? What are some of your favorite autumn-themed stories? Drop the titles below!
Wonderful, insightful post! Thank you! 🙂📒
Thanks for hosting me, Grace!
This sounds so sweet and autumn-y! I love doing Thanksgiving with my family every year, even now that we live in Cornwall UK!
Favourite autumn-themed story, eek I wish I had one! I can only think of stories in which autumn is a strong theme or highly featured beauty, or the only time in which to read said book (hehe), such as The Lord of the Rings, A Time to Die, and many of Rosemary Sutcliff's novels. I'm curious to discover more!
Best wishes for this anthology!! God bless you all xx