Piper G Huguley: Yep. It was just an issue of logistics really. I do love the idea for
the new series though, so I’m glad it worked out as it did. No one is really writing
historical sports romance although contemporary sports romance is all the rage now.
Shannan Harper: The only other consistent African American Historical Fiction
writers are Beverly Jenkins, Vanessa Riley, Joan Vassar and you. Why is the selection
of good authors in this particular genre so few?
Piper G Huguley: Well, as Ms. Bev says sometimes, doing the research takes years
to do. Also currently, historical romance is on a downturn and it’s not as profitable.
I’m glad I have a day job that I love. I wouldn’t be able to live on what I’m currently
making as an author. So those are two reasons why I think AA writers of historicals
are few and far between. I’m glad to see it is increasing.
Shannan Harper: During your research, were children often abandoned during that
time, or was that just for your story. And if they were, what normally would happen
to them.
Piper G Huguley: The Great Depression was a very rough time. The way the kids were
left with Delie was the way that it happened a lot of the time. Even more sorrowful to
think about were the instances where children had to fend for themselves. That time
period was when...See More
Shannan Harper: Yes they did. I loved that she considered all of them her children
Keshia La’Shawn: What’s your inspiration behind the characters you write about?
Piper G Huguley: It depends. The Migration of the Heart series sisters were based on
my great aunts. The Home to Milford College characters were based on the histories of
several HBCU schools. So I guess the short answer is the history inspires me. We have
a very inspirational history and I see my stories as one way of telling people about it.
Christine Pauls: Research. How do you go about beginning the process as you are
creating the story?
Piper G Huguley: Usually, there is some aspect of history that I think should be written
about. I’ve come across these stories in the day job. There’s so much out there that
should be written about. Then I will research it with primary and secondary resources.
But I have a lot of stories to write with just the ones that I know. There are many others
out there waiting to be discovered, I’m sure.