Lynchburg author explores survival, family secrets in new Southern Gothic novel

W. K. Denney's latest novel follows two young sisters in 1970s Alabama, while her work with Hill City Fiction Writers helps support Lynchburg's local writing community.

LYNCHBURG, Va. — Lynchburg author W. K. Denney has released her latest novel, Summer of Secrets in the Heart of Dixie, a Southern Gothic story of two young sisters confronting abuse, fear and a life-changing secret that could threaten their freedom and separate them forever.

Set in rural Alabama in 1970, the novel follows 13-year-old Louellen and her 10-year-old sister, Annabella, known as Bella, who live in a ramshackle cabin bordering a forest under the care of their uncle.

To outsiders, Uncle Arnie appears respectable. Behind closed doors, however, the sisters face a much different reality.

Frequently left to fend for themselves, the girls have learned to survive in difficult circumstances. Louellen has endured years of mistreatment while trying to protect her younger sister. When their uncle's attention turns to Bella, an act of self-preservation sets off a chain of events that leaves the sisters guarding a dangerous secret.

Their efforts to conceal what happened lead to unexpected alliances, new revelations and the constant fear that discovery could result in imprisonment or separation.

For Denney, the story developed in much the same way as many of her fictional works — through characters who seemed to take on lives of their own.

Letting the characters tell the story

Although Denney has lived in several states and traveled extensively, the novel's Alabama setting was not drawn from personal experience.

"Interestingly, the setting came about quite unintentionally," Denney said. "Most of my stories take place in locations where I've spent time, but rural Alabama in 1970 simply happened to be where Louellen and Bella lived — in my imagination."

Rather than beginning with a detailed outline, Denney generally starts with characters and allows their stories to develop naturally.

"I see them in my mind's eye, along with their surroundings, and the story develops naturally from there," she said. "I essentially step into their lives and chronicle events as they unfold, rather than following a predetermined plot."

That approach sometimes takes her in unexpected directions, requiring revisions to earlier chapters as the story develops.

"One of the things I enjoy most about writing is discovering where the story takes me," she said.

Denney often returns to earlier sections of a manuscript to incorporate foreshadowing and details that become important later.

Summer of Secrets in the Heart of Dixie marks her first venture into Southern Gothic fiction, although she did not initially intend to write in that genre.

"The story simply evolved in that direction," she said. "I particularly enjoyed the suspense that developed throughout the novel, and I hope readers will find it difficult to put down."

Despite the difficult circumstances facing the two sisters, Denney said her primary goal is to give readers an engaging experience rather than prescribe a particular message.

"Above all, I hope readers are entertained," she said. "I want them to escape the demands of everyday life for a while and become immersed in a fictional world, with characters who feel like people they've actually known."

She believes readers bring their own experiences and perspectives to fiction, allowing different people to find different meanings in the same story.

A lifetime of experiences shapes her fiction

Denney's writing draws on a varied background that includes extensive travel, diverse educational interests and a longstanding curiosity about people and places.

Having lived in states ranging from Maine to Oregon and traveled to more than a dozen countries, she brings a broad range of settings, cultures and personalities to her storytelling.

Her educational interests have included business, psychology, engineering, hypnosis and commercial art.

Denney has published four books, although she has completed additional manuscripts that have yet to be released.

Her earliest published works were shorter pieces of fiction. She completed her first novel around 2017 while working with a mentor who had taught creative writing at Willamette University in Oregon.

That manuscript, Hope & Unity, is among the projects she plans to publish next.

Supporting Lynchburg's writing community

Beyond her own writing, Denney encourages other local authors through Hill City Fiction Writers, a group she established after moving from Maine to Virginia.

The group meets every other Wednesday at 1 p.m. and focuses exclusively on fiction writing.

Denney said she intentionally keeps the group small to encourage participation, discussion and constructive feedback. She hopes to expand membership to approximately seven writers.

"I believe a smaller group allows everyone more opportunities to participate, exchange ideas, and receive meaningful feedback on their work," she said.

She established the group specifically for fiction writers because of the distinct techniques involved in developing characters, constructing plots and creating compelling narratives.

The meetings provide an opportunity for members to share their work, exchange ideas and help one another navigate the writing and revision process.

Denney welcomes inquiries from local fiction writers interested in joining the group.

Those interested can contact her at wz.wenzen@gmail.com.

More books on the horizon

Denney has several additional writing projects underway.

Her immediate priority is an updated edition of The Sound of a Train. After that, she plans to release Hope & Unity, the first novel she completed, which has been awaiting publication for several years.

She is also considering an anthology of shorter fiction and exploring audiobook editions of her work.

"There's certainly no shortage of projects to keep me busy!" she said.

Where to find the book

Summer of Secrets in the Heart of Dixie: An Unforgettable Southern Gothic Novel is available through Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions.

Readers can learn more about Denney and her writing at www.wenzen.net.

The paperback edition is available on Amazon.