Former Lutherhill Executive Director Pens New Book

Kathy Haueisen’s “Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures” a work of historical fiction

What is your book about?

My mother diligently researched our family’s connection to the Mayflower story, so I’ve always been fascinated with it. I wanted to write about the Mayflower, but I wanted to include conversations between people, plus I wanted to include the perspective of the women and the Native Americans. That meant I was going to have to improvise: thus, real people, real events, realistic, but mostly fictional conversations.

Half my grandkids have Native heritage as part of what their four grandparents passed on to them. As I began to get to know their other grandparents’ families, I realized how limited my knowledge of American history has been all these years, so this process has been educational and challenging, plus very rewarding.

What time-period does your historical fiction about the Mayflower story cover?

I start the story in the last half of the 1500s to cover the impact of the Protestant Reformation on those who would eventually become the folks we know as Pilgrims. I included what was happening on this side of the Atlantic during that same timeframe. Knowing about those events is important for understanding the Mayflower story.

What part does faith play in your writing?

The people on the Mayflower showed incredible faith and determination to do all they did, before, during, and after the voyage. I don’t know if I could have endured all they had to face and withstand. I really admired their faith and was inspired by it.

However, they also had some unhelpful ideas and assumptions about the Natives.

My many years of studying scripture and theology convinced me I needed to paint a more charitable portrait of the Natives. They were not “savages.” They were merely people who had come to different conclusions about the identity and character of a divine being.

I was motivated to delve into Native American culture because of my conviction that God cherishes all people.

What do you want readers to take away from reading your book?

I hope readers will have a deeper appreciation of the numerous sacrifices the English Mayflower passengers made to travel here and I hope they come away from the story with a new respect and regard for the Natives who quite literally saved the newcomers’ lives.

What kind of readers will your book appeal to the most?

My ideal reader is one who appreciates the significance of what happened in the past and how those people and events shape the present and future. I hope he or she will read the book with a mind open to new ideas and a heart open to new compassion.

What or who inspires you?

Other authors inspire me. I read all sorts of things from historical fiction to mysteries, adventure, theology, and selfhelp and inspirational books and articles. Some give me ideas and inspiration. Some give me tips for good writing techniques.

As for people, I love to engage in lively conversations about current events and ways good people are doing great things in our global village.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

It is a sacred privilege to be able to transmit an idea from one mind to another through a series of individual characters strung together to make words, sentences, paragraphs, and eventually books. We are the only species that can do that. We ought to pause more often to appreciate what a miracle that is and then resolve to use this ability with respect and thoughtful caution.

We’re again watching anger boil over and break out in protests, both peaceful and violent. Our words can help calm and resolve the underlying issues or make the situation worse. The 1620 English settlement survived primarily because two cultures struggled to survive catastrophic events beyond their control.

They used their words to put together a treaty that stated how they would help one another. Both parties honored that treaty for 50 years. Then the old human scourges of ego and greed took over, war broke out, peace was destroyed and relationships between the two cultures have been strained for centuries.

Where can I buy a copy?

Published by Green Writers Press, Mayflower Chronicles: The Tale of Two Cultures is available at bookstores and online as a paperback or e-book effective October 12. The audio book is in production.

Visit https://howwisethen. com to get more information and find a list of podcasts and other presentations that Kathy is scheduled to make. She will also be delighted to answer your questions or hear your comments and is booking Zoom book club and small group discussions this fall.