“I love the process of researching, writing, and joining the two together. In particular, I like to write about people or events in history that have been overlooked.”
-Judithe Little
A member of the Writers’ League since 2009, Judithe Little lives in Houston.
Scribe: In what genre(s) do you write?
Judithe Little: Wickwythe Hall, my first novel out now from Black Opal Books, is historical fiction and was inspired by a little-known confrontation between the British and the French during World War II. I’m currently working on another novel that takes place in France around the turn of the 19th century. I love the process of researching, writing, and joining the two together. In particular, I like to write about people or events in history that have been overlooked.
Scribe: What author would you most like to have a drink with, and what’s the first question you would ask them?
JL: I really enjoyed researching Winston Churchill, who plays a part in Wickwythe Hall, and would love to go back in time and have a drink with him. I’d have plenty of his favorite champagne, Pol Roger, on hand. I’d make sure his glass was never empty and would sit back and listen to whatever came out of his head.
I’d also like to ask Anthony Doerr if he has any tricks for coming up with the unique descriptions in All The Light We Cannot See. He has a great talent for using adjectives in unexpected ways. As a writer it can be so difficult to come up with new and interesting phrases to describe the mundane.
Scribe: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what book would you want to have with you to keep you sane?
JL: I don’t like reading books more than once. I’ve never read the Outlander series so I think I’d bring those. I’ve heard they’re good, they’re long, and there are a lot of them. Plus I’m a sucker for a Scottish accent. But if I hadn’t already read The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, or Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, I’d bring one of those to get me through.
Scribe: What have you learned from your association with the Writers’ League?
JL: I’ve learned that having a community of writers and a resource like the Writers’ League that helps writers connect with agents and publishers and gain insight into the publishing process is indispensable. Also, an excerpt from Wickwythe Hall was a finalist in one of the WLT Manuscript Contests and that was a great confidence booster.
Scribe: Where do you see your writing taking you (or you taking it) in the future?
JL: I feel like it has already taken me where I’d like to go! I started working on Wickwythe Hall over twelve years ago. To be able to hold the book in my hand is a dream come true. Next, I’d love to see my current work-in-progress published and sent out into the world. A research trip to France would be nice too.
Scribe: Here at the Writers’ League, we love sharing book recommendations. What’s one Texas-related book that has come out within the past year that you couldn’t put down?
JL: The Promise by Ann Weisgarber, a lyrical novel set against the Galveston storm of 1900. It came out in 2013 but experiencing Hurricane Harvey and seeing the massive destruction the storm caused here in Houston, my thoughts have been going back to the characters and haunting scenes in The Promise.
Scribe: Is there anything else about you that you would like to share with the world? An opportunity for blatant self-promotion!
JL: Foreword Reviews says Wickwythe Hall is “a riveting and enlightening mix of history and fiction that puts a human face on the costs of war.” It was released by Black Opal Books on September 30. River Oaks Bookstore in Houston is hosting a launch party on October 21 at 4 pm. If you’re in Houston, come by! To learn more about Wickwythe Hall, please visit my website at judithelittle.com.
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Thanks, Judithe
If you’re a Writers’ League member and you’d be interested in being interviewed for our Meet the Members feature, email us at member@writersleague.org for more information. It’s a great way for other members to get to know you and for you to share a bit about what you’re working on! Please also email us, at the same address, if you’d like to learn more about WLT board service.
