Hearts Across Forever, Different Times, Changing Dreams

Publishing is hard work. Losing a publisher you've had for many years is difficult. Retrieving and re-releasing the lost books is a challenge. That is why I am so excited to have my first novel, Hearts Across Forever, available once again with a new publisher, High Tide Publications.

This is a book I began long ago and revised several times on its way to publication. It was right before the 21st Century began, and cell phones were not all around us. I still used my 35 mm Minolta with real film inside.

As I wrote this first book, I was traveling to Jamaica several times a year. I fell in love with the beauty of the tropics and tried to overlook the poverty through which we drove en route to lush settings and glorious beaches. These dramatic locations were the subjects of my painting as well as my writing. It was a magical time.

In the midst of inventing my story, I discovered Dr. Ian Stevenson and the fascinating work he was doing at the University of Virginia as he discovered and interviewed children with past-life memories. I also met and became good friends with Dr. George Ritchie who detailed his riveting after-death experiences in his book, My Life After Dying. I was compelled to draw imagined past-life events into my story.

Because I was as an artist, studying at Virginia Commonwealth University who had to visit New York City and follow the work of artists there, I tied my heroine's job to that city. However, Kathryn wasn't completely sold on living in the big city. Although she didn't realize it at first, she was falling in love with the tropical setting of Jamaica with so many memories. Her dreams were changing as the story evolved.

Revising my book for re-release, I wondered if I should make changes to take it into the 21st Century. I decided not to. After all, the story is about people from a different time, the late 20th Century. Hearts Across Forever has a beautiful new cover, created by Jeanne Johansen, but the characters still live in an earlier century. It doesn't seem right to change them.

If you buy a copy of Hearts Across Forever, I will be happy to send you an autographed book plate. Send a SSAE to me at P.O. Box 182, West Point VA 23181.

Please let me know what you think about my book.

Same Title Causes Publishing Nightmare

The USA Today article about two books with the exact same title getting released within days of each other truly intrigues me. I have long known that the title means a lot--close to everything in some cases. The author of the story, Deirdre Donahue, implies that in this case the two titles released so close together may actually be a publishing blessing. After all, both books are getting lots of press because of the coincidental titles and release dates.

One of the two books--both are titled, Life After Life--is by Kate Atkinson and is the story of a woman born in 1910 who dies and is reborn again and again. It sounds like a reincarnation story which I love.

The title of these two books started me remembering Dr. Raymond Moody and his book, Life After Life, published in 1975.  Dr. Moody and my special friend, Dr. George Ritchie, collaborated on work at the University of Virginia. At the age of 20, Dr. Ritchie had his own encounter with death and returned from it to write about his experiences in his book, Ordered to Return: My Life After Dying. George created his book while taking writing classes with our mentor, Jane Deringer. He read each chapter as he wrote it to our class at Rappahannock Community College at Glenns, Virginia. While in this death experience, George saw events that came true in the future. He was amazing and so was his book.

The works by both Dr. Moody and Dr. Ritchie made me ever more fascinated with the subject of reincarnation. My interest was unveiled in my novel, Hearts Across Forever. This is my "what if" story about the "White Witch" of Rose Hall Great House. If I had never known George Ritchie, this book might not have been written. Amazing how people and events link together.

"Rose Hall Great House" pastel painting ©Mary Montague Sikes

Titles can drive the sales of books. But so can lots of publicity.

--Mary Montague Sikes

Women's History Month - What Woman Most Influenced Your Writing?

March is Women's History Month. Thinking about women and history, what woman in your life most influenced your writing?

Since I am part of a roundtable discussion on this subject, I've been thinking about the women who have greatly influenced my writing. The one with the most profound inspiration for me was the late Jane Deringer.

When our daughter Amy was 14 years old, we received a telephone call from Rappahannock Community College inviting her to participate in a creative writing class they were offering. Amy had been in gifted programs for young writers since she was in the sixth grade, and I was happy for the opportunity for her to further develop her talents. However, since she wasn't old enough to drive, I drove the ten miles to the college and decided to take the evening class with her.

Jane was the instructor, and I loved her and I loved being in the class. With her encouragement and guidance, I started writing a romance novel. The class fascinated me. I enjoyed listening to others read what they were writing. Amy wrote as well, but she was growing up and didn't continue taking Jane's classes in the following years like I did.

When Jane encouraged me to become a member of the Richmond Branch of the National League of American Pen Women, I joined as an arts member. Since I was not published at the time, I did not qualify in letters. I learned about travel writing from Jane and from other members of Pen Women. With their helpful tips, I submitted travel articles and photographs to newspapers and magazines that published them. I was thrilled to actually get paid for my writing!

Jane was a huge advocate for writers. She encouraged everyone and actually started the Chesapeake Bay Writers Club. I was a charter member of that group. Roger Fulton was one of Jane's writing students. A retired police officer, he started the Police Writer's Club with Jane's help. That group is now the Public Safety Writers Association with members who are among my writing friends now. Jane also started the Chesapeake Bay Branch National League of American Pen Women. Since she needed six members to have a branch, I transferred my membership from Richmond and became a charter member of the new group.

Jane also planned an annual writer's conference at the community college that continued for at least 16 years. In the beginning the college served an outdoor barbeque as part of the event which became quite popular and drew people from several states. Each year she invited me to help with it, and on several occasions I was one of the speakers.

Because of her dedication to others, Jane didn't publish many books herself. She encouraged Dr. George Ritchie in his writing about his near-death experience. She was instrumental in many authors getting published, including me.

As writers and creative people of all types, we need mentors. These are people we will never forget. I will certainly always remember Jane Deringer and the influence she had on my writing life.

Simple Pleasures Books and Gifts is sponsoring the roundtable discussion March 26, 1 to 4 p.m. at Ashland Coffee and Tea in Ashland, VA about the women who influenced the lives of  authors Ruth Doumlele, Sylvia Wright, Pamela Kinney, and Mary Montague Sikes. Due to a death in her family, Joanne Liggan is unable to participate.

Near Death Experiences

"Mystical Embrace" MM Sikes

On the CBS Sunday Morning show yesterday, Katie Couric interviewed Dr. Raymond Moody. This interview was inspired by the new movie, "Hereafter," and by Halloween.

I like to watch this program each week because I usually learn something of interest or significance. During the Couric interview about Dr. Moody's work with near death experiences, a photograph of my dear friend, Dr. George Ritchie, flashed up periodically. George had a near death experience in 1943 when he was dead for nine minutes and had an incredible journey that was documented in two books that he wrote. One of those books was written and read chapter by chapter during a class he and I took at a local community college. Much of Dr. Moody's work was inspired by George Ritchie's story.

It was a little surreal to see the Ritchie photograph appear during this interview. His story has inspired some of the paranormal elements I like to include in my books, especially the "walk-in" aspect from my novel Night Watch.

And strangely enough, George Ritchie died near Halloween three years ago.