That’s a great question. Not exactly - but I did spend three months researching an event that took place here in NC and thought I might write about it. It was about a husband/father who killed his entire family on Christmas Day. I backed away from it when it appeared that quite a few people were obsessing about this incident. Distant relatives of the family etc., were on a FB site which I’d started following and it just got STRANGE. So, I dropped the project. I might go back to it one day, though, because it’s such a terrible story, but an interesting one, too.
Here is where I’m going to sound like the politically correct parent. 
In some way, each of the books holds something special to me. In Dixie Dupree, I think Dixie’s voice (as I’ve talked about) is what makes that book unique. Wallis Ann in The Road to Bittersweet with her survival skills and her perseverance stand out to me. In The Forgiving Kind I explored something some say is pseudoscience (water dowsing) with my young protagonist, Sonny Creech. I also explored themes of bigotry, and homosexuality in that story and I’m proud of the end result. In The Moonshiner’s Daughter, I felt I wrote the BEST first sentence I may ever write. “My only memory of Mama, she was on fire.” (based on a true event when I was about 3 - my mother lived and was fine - but, she did catch on fire, and not from a moonshine still) I also explored eating disorders in that story and I learned a LOT about moonshine. 
I feel that The Saints of Swallow Hill is my BEST southern fiction novel out of all the ones I’ve written. It’s set in a very a brutal turpentine camp and it’s how I learned that North Carolina isn’t called the Tar Heel state because of the Civil War, but because of the turpentine industry. Well, coming from the South, maybe it was meant that I would write a Civil War story . . . that said, if I was going to write one, it was going to be very different. When the Jessamine Grows is about a subsistence farm family, and in particular, Joetta McBride, my protagonist, who sticks to her convictions of neutrality, believing the war shouldn’t have anything to do with her, or her family. They’re self-sustaining, don’t hold enslaved people and simply want to work their land. It’s a story about what happens when the oldest son, influenced by his staunchly Confederate supporting grandfather, runs off to join the Confederates. That brings me to Women of a Promiscuous Nature, and I’d say what makes this book special to me is I feel like my writing shifted some. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but that’s how I feel. I’d have to say that out of all of my characters, Dorothy Baker came alive on the page for me more easily than most. She was really interesting to create.
Would you say Book #8 is a return to your Southern fiction, or is it broader than that? I love the fact that you keep killing off the same character.
I feel like your books are evolving from being simply well-told stories to books with added depth, incorporating other elements, like historical fiction and social issues. Forgive me if I’m mistaken - I haven’t read all your books (yet) - but is that fair to say?
And has your editor or publisher pushed you to change your focus in any way, or is the evolution coming from you as you become a more accomplished author?
I know what you mean about an audiobook’s narrator having a huge influence on readers’ perception. I finished Percival Everett’s The Trees not that long ago and thought the narration was particularly poor. It really impacted my appreciation for the book.
You mention knowing other authors whose works have been optioned - So how do you connect with other writers like yourself? Do you have a writers group you attend, or do you meet people through book events or…?
I can see how it would be hard to favor one book over another, since each one requires so much time and effort. But if you were speaking to someone who was unfamiliar with your work, which of your novels would you recommend they start with to get a feel for your writing?
I think it’s more in line with my Southern fiction than Women of a Promiscuous Nature. My agent said it reminded him a little of Flannery O’Connor’s work. I’ll take it! The character I keep killing off is particularly flawed. The 72 y.o. is a bit like Olive Kitteridge, I think. She’s reclusive and a bit of a grump.
Yes, I think that’s fair, and I sort of feel that way too, but sometimes I’m too close - so it’s hard to know. All I want is to get better at it - and I REALLY question it every day. Another great question - no one has suggested I do x or y, which, tbh, I love. I like the freedom to write what I write and hope to do it well - whatever it is. I like to think I’m learning something new with each book.
I don’t have a writer’s group, so most of my connections have come through social media, and meeting folks at book events. I was part of Women’s Fiction Writers Association at one point, but I really (really) don’t care for the term “women’s” fiction - ya know? It makes me twitchy. (haha) There isn’t a men’s fiction. So . . . but when I was part of that, I met a lot of other writers so, I’ve stayed connected to them. Then, there are the writers who are part of my publishing house, and I’ve connected that way. And last, blurbing other authors - or asking for blurbs (hard!) sometimes result in great connections.
I’d say The Saints of Swallow Hill or Women of a Promiscuous Nature.
Saints is the book I think that took me in a different direction in that it was a departure in some ways from my coming-of-age stories (the first four books, all written in first person POV, to boot). It was a Costco Buyer’s Pick and it has been my bestselling book to date. And, as you point out, Women of a Promiscuous Nature introduces a new side to my writing, not only (I think) a bit more mature, but also because of the social issues of that story’s time.
It’s been such a pleasure to interact and read your replies, Donna. I have learned so much and look forward to reading more of your books. Best to you and thank you for joining our BookBrowse group of readers!
Thank you for being such an awesome guest, Donna! Before we wrap up, is there anything you’d have liked us to discuss that we haven’t touched on?
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Thank you all so much for having me! I really enjoyed every part of the conversation. I think the only thing I can think of is that book #8 (no title yet that I’m happy with) will be out probably some time in 2028, so if you enjoy my work, I hope you’ll be on the lookout for it. Also, for those out here who’ve followed along with this conversation, you can continue to follow me and see what I have to say out on social media. All of my socials can be found at donnaeverhart.com, as well as upcoming events, etc.
Thank you again and I hope everyone has a great weekend!