Oprah's Book Club (Official) discussion
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The Twelve Tribes of Hattie
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Q&A with Ayana Mathis; TODAY from 11am-1pmEST.
Was the story based on a real family...perhaps your own?
Hattie remained hard and impenetrable until the end, and yet we get a peek into her awareness of her cold nature on the last page. Do you think that Hattie can ever soften or will she remain emotionally unavailable for the remainder of her life?
Out of all the characters Bell has stayed with me long after I finished the book. Do you think you would write another book about one of the children from "Hattie?"
SPOILER ALERTDid Bell also live w/ Hattie (along w/ Cassie & Sala)?
Did Hattie see Ella again?
What was your favorite character to write? And why?
Where the chapters written in the order that the children were born?
In the early stages of your writing process, which tribe member or child was first to set the tone for the development of Hattie’s character? What were the qualities of this initial relationship that sparked your desire to continue to write and eventually complete your novel?
In my opinion, Hattie’s character is portrayed as being a resilient fighter and survivor. There is a lot of sadness, hurt, anger and disappointment that seems to engulf her life. Did you develop her character with the rationale that it was more important for Hattie to be a survivor then a happy woman? If so why?
In the last chapter titled ‘Sala: 1980’ it states that Hattie didn’t know how to save her granddaughter “she felt overwhelmed and unprepared as she had when she was a young mother at seventeen”. As the author of this novel, do you believe that in Hattie’s heart and mind that she developed into a woman?
In the beginning of your novel, Hattie’s character is introduced as being a seventeen year-old ‘little thing’. How important was age in the development of her character? Do you think that Hattie’s life journey would have been the same if she was an adult in her 20’s?
The structure of your novel focus’ on the tribes of Hattie. Is it fair to say that her true partner in life were her children and that her husband August was an after thought? Why? or why not?
The writing in the entire story is superb. I was curious if Hattie was the first character that you created or if the development of one of her children's characters led back to her?
I am curious to know what drew.you to the Great Migration? Many people are unaware of the significance of this event in African American Historu, as they are unaware of the.first large (voluntary) migration to Kansas. Was there something in your family history that piqued your interest? Family lore? This was.such an amazing story about the family, who wanted a chanxe at something better. Within the first few pages of the book, we got that message from Hattie when she explained why she chose her chikdren's names
Ayana, very good read, but would love to know more about the characters. Are you going to continue their stories in another novel?
No offense Ayana, but I hope that you do not intend to continue these characters. The book is perfect as it is, turning it into a series would diminish the power and impact of the novel.
Hattie's character had me cheering for her one moment then upset with her the next. She is a very complex woman did you create her intentionally like this or did it unfold due to character development of her children?
SPOILER ALERT - I mention last chapter in my question regarding the structure of the book.Hello, I am Catherine. I live in Milan, Italy and will be presenting this book February 26 to my local book club.
My question to Ms Mathis:
Why did you chose to dedicate the last chapter to the granddaughter and gloss over the details of some of the children in the end?
My Questions would be:What's next fr A Ayana Mathis? are you writing now?
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Hello, my name is Heidi Muller and I currently live in West Virginia. I really enjoyed your book. Some of the stories were a little slower than others; however, I thought it was a great book overall! I think that my favorite chapter is Sala. I enjoyed how you incorporated this family's future, and also a resolution to Hattie's life and her need to 'fix' her children. My question is this: Is Sala you? You wrote about Cassie's mental illness as if you yourself have lived through that kind of situation. I thought both Cassie's and Sala's chapters were beautifully written.
I look forward to your future novels!!
I am speechless. I am enjoying this book. Hattie brings back memories of a bygone era. Yet, what Hattie experienced is nothing new under the sun. I believe the pain of loss and disillusionment has happened to most. However, Ms. Mathis’s writing, to me, is expressive and heart warming. Hattie's strength, independence and emotions reminds me of a deceased loved one.
Vern wrote: "Do you think you would write another book about one of the children from "Hattie?""I would like to know the answer to this question too.
It seems like all of the children ended up having very difficult lives, was there any specific reason why none of them seemed to have any happiness in their lives?
Like others, I would love to see the Tribe fleshed out into other books. I hope more books will follow Hattie, long before anything is turned into film! :)
Thank you very much for this glimpse into the lives of the Tribe!
Ms. Ayana, do you have a background in theater, in acting perhaps? I write as well and find it quite interesting to change POVs rather often. In my first novel, each chapter is told by a different character. My first love and major in college was acting and I wonder if this has anything to do with why I enjoy creating/becoming so many different characters in my book? David W. Bradburn
Ms. Mathis, your book was remarkable. It is now one of my favorite reads ever. I wanted to thank you for writing it. And, I wanted to ask you about the character Ella in the book - why did Hattie have to give her away? They were already so poor, would one more mouth to feed really break the bank that was already broken? I understand she wanted a better life for her children and by giving Ella to her sister, she was providing that for Ella, but part of me wondered was it really that necessary. Also, would you ever consider writing a book told from Ella's point of view - how she grew up away from her family; does she even know that she was given away and why? Well, I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your book and I am looking forward to your next one - I can't wait!
Ms. Ayana Mathis:
The year is 1981- what did you learn from Hattie Shepherd?
The year is 1981- what did you learn from Hattie Shepherd?
How, did you come up with this story and did you/someone you know have experience(s) with some of the characters?Who was your favourite character to write?
Where do you write your stories, from home/library/coffee shop?
I loved the book,could feel each character in their struggles, excellent book. Thank you. :)
Who was your least favorite character, or the hardest one to write about? Was this an emotional book for you to write?
Aside from religious references and overtones, did you include any overt parallels between the twelve tribes of Jacob vs. Hattie? I'm not familiar with the story of Jacob. Is there anything I could be missing in this area?
Hi All! It's a pleasure to be here answering your questions and getting the chance to share thoughts and ideas with readers!
Good morning Ayana! Thank you for taking the time to join us!
Tracy wrote: "Was the story based on a real family...perhaps your own?"Hi Tracy,
Thanks for your question! The work is purely fictional. there are some very loose correlations to my extended family, my own grandmother was a pretty stoic character, but the Shepherds are an imagined family.
Tracy wrote: "Hattie remained hard and impenetrable until the end, and yet we get a peek into her awareness of her cold nature on the last page. Do you think that Hattie can ever soften or will she remain emotio..."SPOILER
Another great question! I don't think Hattie is nearly as hard at the end, I think that the book moves toward hopefulness, and Hattie's decision to intervene on Sala/s behalf is a sign of that hopefulness, and of a kind of possibility for tenderness that Hattie didn't have earlier in her life.
Ms. Ayana Mathis:
Currently, what are you reading? (fiction, non-fiction, trade, self-help...etc.)
Currently, what are you reading? (fiction, non-fiction, trade, self-help...etc.)
Vern wrote: "Out of all the characters Bell has stayed with me long after I finished the book. Do you think you would write another book about one of the children from "Hattie?""Thank you for the compliment! Bell is my favorite character as well! I don't know, my sense right now is that these characters and I have parted ways. But never say never!
Was the drawing of black men characters as scoundrels a conscious decision? And if so why?
Rebecca wrote: "What was your favorite character to write? And why?"Hi Rebecca,
Bell and Floyd were my favorites. Both are very complex people, both are extraordinarily self aware at that same time that they are self-sabotaging. I know people like that, I think we all do. The ways in which they shoot themselves in the foot made them interesting to write.
Lorrea(Threein3) wrote: "Where the chapters written in the order that the children were born?"They were more or less written in the order that they occurred to me, with a few exceptions. I knew that Bell and Sala were set more contemporarily, for example. The chapters were put into order later.
Melissa wrote: "In the early stages of your writing process, which tribe member or child was first to set the tone for the development of Hattie’s character? What were the qualities of this initial relationship t..."Great question! Both Hattie and Sala appeared early on, in a kind of prototype of what are now the first and last chapters.But then I veered away from both of them and began writing the rest of the tribes. Their stories were very interesting to me, and they were each so unique and so rich as characters. That's was kept me going.
Melissa wrote: "In my opinion, Hattie’s character is portrayed as being a resilient fighter and survivor. There is a lot of sadness, hurt, anger and disappointment that seems to engulf her life. Did you develop..."That's an interesting question. Hattie is absolutely a fighter and a survivor. She's a pretty complicated character. It never occurred to me that she could be any different than the way she is. That is to say that it wasn't an option-- Hattie is very real to me, and I could no more suddenly change her personality than I could my own.
Melissa wrote: "In the last chapter titled ‘Sala: 1980’ it states that Hattie didn’t know how to save her granddaughter “she felt overwhelmed and unprepared as she had when she was a young mother at seventeen”. A..."Sure, I think that she's certainly very much a woman. Her comment about feeling overwhelmed has to do with how difficult it is to save her children from sadness or trouble in life, how difficult it has been for her to address their needs in ways beyond feeding or clothing them. I don't think it has to do with maturity, it has to do with how hard it is to move through the world, and how hard it is for a mother to guide her children's movement through the world.
What made you decide to call the book a novel instead of a collection of short stories?
Dianne wrote: "Ayana, very good read, but would love to know more about the characters. Are you going to continue their stories in another novel?"Hi Dianne!
So pleased to hear that they resonated with you! My idea with the book was that I, along with the reader, would meet each character at some critical moment in his or her life, and then, when the moment was over, we would move away. It isn't my intention at the moment to revisit them in another novel -- but I guess you can never say never!
Monise wrote: "I am curious to know what drew.you to the Great Migration? Many people are unaware of the significance of this event in African American Historu, as they are unaware of the.first large (voluntary) ..."Hi Monise!
Thanks so much for your question. The Great Migration certainly isn't talked about nearly enough, that movement of 6 million people changed this country, demographically, intellectually, artistically, in all ways. Isabel Wilkerson's incredible book, "The Warmth of Other Suns" is the source for information on the Migration, incredible researched and beautifully written. It was a great help to me, both in terms of information and inspiration.
Anne wrote: "No offense Ayana, but I hope that you do not intend to continue these characters. The book is perfect as it is, turning it into a series would diminish the power and impact of the novel."Thanks, Anne! No offense taken! In fact, I tend to agree with you. Thanks for reading.
Jacq wrote: "Hattie's character had me cheering for her one moment then upset with her the next. She is a very complex woman did you create her intentionally like this or did it unfold due to character developm..."Hattie caused the same reaction in me as I was writing her! She's an extraordinarily complicated woman, I think that trying to simplify her -- to make her wholly likeable or wholly unlikeable would have been a real disservice to her character.
Catherine wrote: "SPOILER ALERT - I mention last chapter in my question regarding the structure of the book.Hello, I am Catherine. I live in Milan, Italy and will be presenting this book February 26 to my local bo..."
Hi Catherine,
How wonderful about your book club-- I'm honored!I used to live in Italy, in Florence.
As far as the last chapter, I wanted to show the promise and possibility of the generation after Hattie's children (thus the chapter about her granddaughter)-- and I was interested in how Hattie might understand/interact with that potential.
Agueda wrote: "My Questions would be:What's next fr A Ayana Mathis? are you writing now?
Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?"
Thanks for your question! I suppose the best advice I can give is just to write, even when you don't have the time or the stamina, especially then, just keep writing. So often writing is discussed as though it sort of comes to people, like the muse or something, but really it's also hard work, and like anything else, requires a discipline of practice. Best of luck to you!
David wrote: "Ms. Ayana, do you have a background in theater, in acting perhaps? I write as well and find it quite interesting to change POVs rather often. In my first novel, each chapter is told by a differen..."Hi David,
Thanks so much for your question! Nope, no theater background -- though I am something of a ham! For me, the shifting POVs were absolutely necessary to the telling of this particular story. I knew there would be lots of characters and I was interested in getting as close to those characters' experience as I possibly could, a kind of immediacy was necessary. I couldn't see any other way to do that than to write each chapter from the protagonist's POV.
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