cj Sez: Lyrical Pens is happy to welcome Author
Barbara Hinske who is sharing some details of the emotionally charged, first-person
research she undertook for her latest novel, The
Unexpected Path.
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| Buy The Unexpected Path Now |
At the time of this post, the Kindle version of The Unexpected Path, slated for launch November 16, is available for pre-order for 99 cents.
Take it away, Barbara.
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| Now a Hallmark Movie |
In
recognition of its accuracy and hopeful message, Guiding Emily has
replaced the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn as a textbook for
adults who are learning braille. Counselors are recommending Guiding
Emily to their patients for the same reasons.
I’m
humbled by these achievements. The second book in the series has a lot to live
up to. I didn’t want to let down the community of visually impaired people who
have resonated with Guiding Emily. I also needed to write an engaging
and entertaining book for my readers.
The
Unexpected Path (the second book in
the Guiding Emily series) comes out on November 16. Advance
reviews have been stellar and I believe I’ve accomplished both objectives.
The
Unexpected Path showcases the
technology that enables the visually impaired to do their jobs as well as
anyone else—and often even better. Emily is a senior programmer at a technology
giant. Her text reader allows her to get through her emails much faster than if
she read them and enables her to pinpoint buried problems in long strings of
computer code.
Problem-solving is a core strength in any employee. The
visually impaired exercise problem-solving skills all day long, every day. The
ability to accommodate change is also a key competency that the visually
impaired are forced to master.
Wayfinding
provides a perfect example. Most of us can see where we’re going. We’ve also
got GPS on our phones and in our cars. Those apps aren’t always accurate. Who
hasn’t had our GPS take us the wrong way? We’ve become lost, which is at best
an inconvenience and at worst, frustrating.
Imagine
getting lost when you can’t see. I’ve interviewed dozens of visually impaired
people for The Unexpected Path and every single one of
them has reported being lost. It’s a common occurrence. And it is
terrifying.
Mobility
and orientation training includes sessions on how to deal with being lost.
Sounds, smells, the feel of the sun on the face, and the location of landmarks
(mailboxes, curbs, street lights, flower planters) all come into play.
I write
a scene in The Unexpected Path where Emily leaves home to run a quick
errand without Garth. Handlers are encouraged to go out without their guide
dogs from time to time because handlers need to keep their white cane skills
sharp and guide dogs need to learn to stay home. Emily becomes disoriented due
to sidewalk construction that blocks her path. It’s night—in San Francisco—and
the fog is rolling in. No one else is out and about. She has to find her way
home.
Writing
that scene was harrowing. My pulse is pounding, now, thinking about it. She
uses her excellent problem-solving skills to find her way.
Unemployment among the visually impaired is alarmingly—and
unnecessarily—high. Holding a good job is a key component of a satisfying life.
I want The Unexpected Path to
raise awareness of the unique capabilities and competencies of the visually
impaired. And to entertain people. It’s a tall order, but advance readers say The Unexpected Path has
accomplished the task.”
§§
BARBARA HINSKE is an attorney and novelist. She's authored
the Emily series, Guiding Emily and The Unexpected Path, the mystery
thriller collection “Who’s There?,” and the beloved seven-novel Rosemont
series. Her Christmas novellas include Paws
& Pastries, No Matter How Far,
and The Christmas Club, which
was made into a Hallmark Channel movie of the same name starring Cameron
Mathison and Elizabeth Mitchell (2019). Find her on social media and at www.barbarahinske.com
§§
cj Sez: Thank you, Barbara, for
giving Lyrical Pens the opportunity to highlight your latest novel and the
difficult journey our blind friends have to make. We send best wishes for super
sales and rave reviews!
That’s it for today’s post. You-all
guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same.
§§
cj
P.S. TO ORDER a book by any author on-line and support an indie
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be sure to tell them, and I’ll run by the shop.
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