from author’s website in her own words

I’m a writer. I believe that the stories we read and write and tell have the power to shape and change our lives. I believe that – because a story changed my life.

Nine years ago, when I lived in Texas, I visited the lowcountry. It was my first experience here, and it was brief, but we made time for a carriage tour through the historic district of Beaufort. And that’s when I heard a little bit of the story of a man named Robert Smalls. I’d never heard his name, and I’d never heard the story. But he intrigued me. His courage, and his heroism, and his contributions, and legacy intrigued me.

His story ignited my curiosity. Curiosity led to exploration, and exploration led to discovery, and I discovered how little I knew about our history. I discovered how little I understood about the experiences of enslaved people in our country. I discovered that some stories get amplified, while other stories get silenced

To make a long story short, the story of Robert Smalls opened my eyes and my mind and my heart, and moved me across the country because I felt compelled – called – to share his story. We moved to Beaufort so that I could research and write the book, Trouble the Water.

Here’s what I know about stories. Stories connect us.

Stories shape us.

Stories cultivate our compassion. Stories encourage empathy.

But…..

Stories can also provoke us – because the stories that shape each of us are all a little different – new stories may provoke us to disagreements and arguments. It can be hard for us to let go of the stories we’ve held dear for our entire lives, stories that we think define us – and when a new story comes along – a story that challenges our old ways of thinking and being, it threatens us. Educators call this cognitive dissonance – that collision of what we thought was true in conflict with new evidence that demands we re-examine it. As uncomfortable as that is – that place where our old narrative intersects with a new one – that’s where learning happens. And it’s real learning, learning that matters, learning that sticks.

Stories help us do that.

Stories change our lives.

I write. Because I believe in the power of stories.

ABOUT TROUBLE THE WATER:

Deeply moving and illuminating, Trouble the Water reveals the little-known real-life story of Robert Smalls. Born enslaved before the Civil War, Smalls witnesses great privilege and immense suffering alongside his owner’s daughter and the dangerous son of a firebrand secessionist. When he’s only twelve, he’s put to work in Charleston, where he loads ships and learns to pilot a cotton steamer. When the war erupts and his cotton steamer becomes a confederate warship, Robert attempts a harrowing escape to freedom for himself and the people he loves.

Purchase your copy here.

PRAISE AND RECOGNITION FOR TROUBLE THE WATER:

 FIRST PLACE/ GOLD WINNER IN 2020 FEATHERED QUILL AWARDS FOR DEBUT NOVEL

 FIRST PLACE/ GOLD WINNER  IN 2020 FEATHERED QUILL AWARDS FOR ADULT FICTION

 FIRST PLACE/ GOLD WINNER OF AMERICANBOOKFEST FICTION AWARD

With this stunning debut novel, Rebecca Bruff establishes herself as an exciting new voice in historical fiction.  ~ Cassandra King Conroy

“Debut author Rebecca Bruff has made her mark with this exceptional examination of family, freedom, and what it really means to fight for the light.”  ~ Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials

Rebecca Bruff’s poignant portrayal of Robert Smalls is uplifting, engaging and inspiring. Her words flowed across the page as seamlessly and effortlessly as Smalls’ sailing across the Charleston Harbor to freedom. This man was a hero and his story is largely unknown. Now, more than ever, this part of our history needs to be told, read, and understood. And I’m so thankful to Bruff for bringing it into the forefront.   ~ Cele and Lynn Seldon, authors of 100 Things to Do in Charleston Before You Die

“I loved returning to the lowcountry, and my god, that writing toward the end about the tides: ‘When the tide is out, all the way out, you can smell creation..’ That passage made me breathless.” ~ Robin Oliveira, author of New York Times bestseller My Name is Mary Sutter

AUTHOR VISITS:

Author visits with Rebecca Bruff are available via NovelNetwork.com.