by Ana Johns
Pops’s and Naoko’s tales
The Great Divide story is based on the navy’s rite of passage for young sailors in their first Pacific crossing over the Meridian and International Date Line. There is a giant anchor outside the Womble Gate entrance at the naval base in Yokosuka, an American town near the base with a statue of Lady Liberty, and yes, nearby you will find “Blue Street,” so named for the blue and white stone chips embedded in the asphalt. While I created Pops’s stories around those real locations, I pulled Naoko’s tales from Japanese myths and folklore.
Although I set this novel aside several times, it called me back again and again. With knowledge comes responsibility, and since I knew—ten thousand babies—I bore a responsibility to share their story. It is my sincerest hope that The Woman in the White Kimono shines a bright light in multiple directions without blame or forced resolution. It is through their acknowledgment that these children live. Like Naoko’s Little Bird, I place my story, their story—a beautiful and tragic truth—within your hands. What you do with it is up to you.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am indebted to the following colleagues for their time, assistance and support: critique partners from the beginning, JC Kang and JC Nelson. My heartfelt thanks for your sharp eye and unwavering enthusiasm for Naoko and Tori’s story. You both have been instrumental in their development. Thank you to critique partner and friend Leanne Yong, for always pushing for more, and to the following for countless reads and thoughtful advice: Amy Anhalt, Stacey Zink and Kris Mehigan. I’d also like to acknowledge the wonderful writing community of Scribophile and specifically thank the following: Patti Jurinski, Julia Satu, Shannon Yukumi, Colleen Maloney and Steven Wade.
I must also thank my brilliant agent and friend, the lovely Lorella Belli of Lorella Belli Literary Agency, for her belief, encouragement and business savvy, and Jeff Kleinman at Folio Literary Management for his support and enthusiasm. And of course, my keen editor at Park Row Books, Erika Imranyi. Thank you for seeing the story’s potential and pushing for me to reach it.
Resounding debts are owed to the Elizabeth Saunders Home Reunion Group. In sharing your truths and beautiful stories, they are forever a cherished part of mine. And a thank-you to the Yokosuka Naval Base, Past and Present FB group for your service and your time.
Last, my sincerest thank-you to AJ, who imagined, and Marvin, Kirklen and Garrett, who have lived with this story from the absolute beginning, and with unwavering conviction believed.
ISBN-13: 9781488035135
The Woman in the White Kimono
Copyright © 2019 by Victoria Van Tiem
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