Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler’s
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
Whispering Through Water
Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler
Book Summary
The coming-of-age story follows Gwyn Madison, the summer after her high school graduation, as she grapples with her fast-approaching future. She’ll have to face more than she bargained for with her Aunt Delia, the family matriarch, who holds the purse strings and the final word. In the meantime, Gwyn stumbles upon a tightly held family secret. Could a mysterious letter provide Gwyn the leverage she desires? Will it only bring more family division? Or, maybe, the past was never meant to stay buried after all. Whispering Through Water navigates family dynamics, young love, and female autonomy with a little 1990s nostalgia.
Publisher: Monarch Educational Services, L.L.C
ISBN-10: 1957656052
ISBN-13: 978-1957656052
ASIN: B0BCCW8T54
Print length: 265 pages
Purchase a copy of Whispering Through Water on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
Author Interview
What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel (aka “UP syndrome”) or do you finish your current project first?
Definitely chase the squirrel, at the very least I write the idea in my phone notes. That squirrel might lead you to a treasure trove of nuts.
Who is your favorite character to write, and why is that person your favorite? If picking a favorite character would be like picking a favorite child, which character seems to be the most demanding or your attention and detail as a writer?
In Whispering Through Water, Gwyn is my favorite. I feel like now that she’s been swirling around in my brain for almost 15 years, I know her as well as I know myself. When I first developed the character, I thought “what if I took my personality and put her in a different environment”? Over time Gwyn became her own person. She still shares similarities with me as an adolescent, though I think Gwyn is bolder than I ever was.
Tell us what you enjoy most about writing in your genre.
Especially after a long stretch of writing I feel what’s equivalent to a “runners high”. I know when my body needs to write, like I know when my body needs to exercise (and I do love to exercise as well!). In terms of expressing emotion, I have always been much more adept doing that in writing than verbally. Writing is my way of expressing emotion and how I interact with the world.
Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in [jobs/education] in your writing?
The short answer is YES. I’ve worked in education for over twenty years. I began as a high school teacher, where I taught English, Creative Writing and Psychology (three separate courses, but at times it felt like they all blended together!). While I was teaching, I returned to graduate school for a counseling degree. I worked as an elementary school counselor and now as in school-based mental health for elementary and middle schools. Mental health topics find their way into all my books, and know where and how to find those resources to support my writing. Though, the biggest benefit is working with students of all age levels. I probably interact with adolescents more easily than adults! It’s great to keep up with youth trends in pop culture, books, fashion, etc that also help inform my writing.
Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
There are three primary insights I would love for people to take away from the book, although if readers take away just one, I will be happy!
- I didn’t fully understand until I was an adult that my mom, aunts and grandmothers did not grow up with the same opportunities that I was fortunate to have as a woman. Respect and honor the women who paved a way for us.
- Humans need community to thrive. If a relationship is important to you, don’t take it for granted.
- The people in our lives that we might find the hardest to love are often the ones that need our empathy the most.
Do you have any odd (writing) habits?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve experienced bad motion sickness, which means I cannot write or read in the car at all. On long road trips as a child, I would write storylines in my head and visualize them like a movie. I became really good at remembering those imagined stories that I could write them down later when I wasn’t moving!
It’s a skill that I still put to use. I can run dialogue in my head while sitting in a car pool line, making efficient use of time while keeping myself entertained!
What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
I think this happens to most authors, but the majority of the time, I got no response from submissions. I was actually excited when I got a personal rejection, because at least I knew they picked it up. I finished revising a draft in 2013 then put it away for years. I picked it up again in 2021. (The reason I shelved it— I received the following response from an editor: “No one wants to read about the 90s.” Well, I thought, not yet anyway. At that time the 1990s was in the recent past, so I understood why she made that comment, but it hit me as very dismissive.
The best compliment is that my characters are relatable. That ultimately is what I was intending to do. I want to write relatable characters, so my readers are able to put themselves in the characters’ shoes.
What is your favorite line from your book?
“I knew she was lying. I recognized the panic in her eyes, because the same was in mine. The panic that came before secrets erupted.” (Whispering Through Water, chapter 19)
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I am a registered yoga teacher, so I do teach classes during the week. Teaching yoga has been my longest running job so far! I do love the connections that are made during class. I also enjoy baking and gardening. If you follow my Instagram account, in the spring and summer you’ll see I’m a bit obsessed with my garden! I also have two children that fill my life with activity!
About the Author
Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler was raised in West Point, a small town in the Tidewater region of Virginia. From the moment she submitted her first short story to a young author’s contest in second grade, Rebecca knew she wanted to be a writer. Her love of writing led her to earn a BA in English and an MEd in English education. She spent several years as a high school teacher, during which she also developed a passion for mental health advocacy. Rebecca completed an MA in professional counseling and now works in the school-based mental health field and as a college adjunct psychology instructor. Rebecca also teaches yoga for the young and the young at heart, and she likes to infuse yoga and breathwork in her counseling practice wherever she can.
She believes the most valuable use of her time is teaching youth how to love and care for each other and the world around them. Her stories share her focus on positive relationships and a love of nature. Rebecca now lives in Durham, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and two spoiled Siamese cats.
Whispering Through Water is her first YA novel and second book. Her picture book When Daddy Shows Me the Sky was released November 2021. You can follow Rebecca on Instagram @rebeccawwheeler_author and www.rebeccawwheeler.com.
Blog Tour Calendar
January 9th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. We interview the author and give away a copy of the book to one lucky reader.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
January 10th @ Mindy McGinnis’ blog
Visit Mindy’s blog to read Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler’s guest post about things she’s learned about the author and editor relationship.
https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog
January 10th @ Rockin’ Book Reviews
Visit Lu Ann’s blog for her review of Whispering Through Water. You also have the chance to win a copy of the book!
https://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
January 11th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa’s blog for an interview with author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
January 12th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Join Anthony as he shares his thoughts about Whispering Through Water.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
January 13th @ A Storybook World
Deirdre features Whispering Through Water in a book spotlight.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
January 14th @ Just Katherine
Katherine treats us to an excerpt of Whispering Through Water.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
January 15th @ Reading is My Remedy
Join Chelsie for a review of Whispering Through Water.
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
January 16th @ One Writer’s Journey
Sue shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about how her graduate program in counseling helped her write fiction.
January 18th @ Word Magic
Fiona spotlights Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
January 19th @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
Visit Joan’s blog for her insights about Whispering Through Water.
https://bookwomanjoan.blogspot.com/
January 21st @ Life According to Jamie
Visit Jamie’s blog for her thoughts about Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://lifeaccordingtojamie.com/
January 24th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog
Join Anthony as he shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about her different processes when writing young adult versus picture books.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
January 26th @ World of My Imagination
Nicole reviews the book Whispering Through Water.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
January 27th @ Storeybook Reviews
Come by Leslie’s blog and read her review of Whispering Through Water.
https://storeybookreviews.com/
January 28th @ Reading is My Remedy
Cheslie shares a guest post from Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about gardening.
https://readingismyremedy.wordpress.com/
February 1st @ Beverley A. Baird
Join Beverley as she reviews Whispering Through Water.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
February 2nd @ Celticlady’s Reviews
Check out a book spotlight of Whispering Through Water. A must-read book to add to your collection!
https://celticladysreviews.blogspot.com/
February 2nd @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog and read her review of Whispering Through Water.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
February 3rd @ Beverley A. Baird
Visit Beverley’s blog again for a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about growing up in a small town.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
February 5th @ The Mommies Reviews
Join Glenda as she reviews Whispering Through Water by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler.
https://themommiesreviews.com/
February 6th @ One Writer’s Journey
Sue will be interviewing Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler. Learn more about this prolific writer!
February 7th @ Liberate and Lather
Join Angela as she reviews Whispering Through Water. She also shares a guest post by Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about simple things to do at home to be more eco-friendly.
https://liberateandlather.com/
February 9th @ Chapter Break
Julie interviews author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler about books, writing, life, and more.
February 10th @ From the TBR Pile
Visit Kari’s blog for a review of Whispering Through Water.
https://fromthetbrpile.blogspot.com/
February 11th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Visit Linda’s blog for an in-depth interview with author Rebecca Wenrich Wheeler and her book Whispering Through Water.
https://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
I loved this book. It reminded me a little of a book I read when I was in High school, but it still had a bit of mystery, romance, uncovering of family secrets, and intrigue to keep readers turning pages.
Thank you so much Peter! It warms my heart that readers love the book!
When she said “The people in our lives that we might find the hardest to love are often the ones that need our empathy the most.” That really hit home for me.
Holly recently posted…The Best Time to Start a Beehive
I love that you were drawn to this quote. It’s heart of what I was trying to do.