Valerie D. Wade On Her Book Ivy Lee’s Rue

TODAY’S PURPOSE WOMAN is proud to celebrate and promote authors who are impacting the lives of others both on and off the paper. In our series, Powerhouse Authors, we highlight and chat with remarkable authors about their books and why they feel it is needed in today’s world.

We recently spoke with Valerie D. Wade, a woman with a strong faith in God, is the author of her debut novel, Ivy Lee’s Rue (released July 2022), and the upcoming novella Leaving Jacksonville. She is a Wayne State University graduate who works as a Research Administrator, volunteers as a literacy tutor, and tutors an ESL student. Valerie describes herself as no frills, low key, and patient. She enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and aspires to learn to play the drums.

An imaginative writing class during her last semester at WSU sparked the original Ivy Lee’s Rue story based on a random photograph. Valerie worked on the story sporadically for twelve years. She shares that during the process, characters’ names changed, characters were removed, and in the end, one story evolved into two. This journey has led Valerie to experience and encourage anyone with a dream or goal to keep pressing forward. “The feeling of completion is a great reward.”

Ivy Lee’s Rue novel chronicles Ivy Lee’s (a fictionalized character) journey through dark times, things that brought her joy, her love of and faith in God, the love, support, and protection of a devoted spouse, and the glimmer of hope she carried to survive the mental agony and confusion that enveloped much of her life.

Excerpt:

Surprise! Ivy Lee, startled as she entered, took a few steps down to the fellowship hall, assisted by Willie. Her eyes adjusting to the bright lights silhouetting the crowd. The head deaconess approached Ivy Lee with a hat box. Sister Patterson, we appreciate you so much and all you do for all of our auxiliaries, and how gracious you are to share Deacon Patterson with us. This day is for you.” Tears rolled down Ivy Lee’s face. Thank you so much!

A line of church members surrounded Ivy Lee. Each reached out to hug her. She was overwhelmed. Willie led her over to the head table decorated with a skirt that shimmered with sparkly tulle. They trimmed the entire room in balloons and crepe paper in her favorite color, royal blue. A large shiny silver wrapped box overstuffed with cards sat at the end of the head table. After the dinner was over, Ivy Lee opened the large hat box from the Millinery shop at Hudson’s Department Store downtown.

During her dark periods, those close friends and admirers would shy away. In her moments of clarity, the hurt and loneliness became much of her daily life. Her nephew Riley was the one joy she could count on. He seemed to bring out a stable calmness. No one else affected her in this way.

Below is our conversation with Valerie about her book and why she feels it is essential in today’s world. Read the full interview below.

What inspired the character of Ivy Lee and who does she represent?

Valerie: The fictionalized character of Ivy Lee was inspired by early memories of a family member’s circumstances. Initially, she was a minor character but emerged as the protagonist and the focus of this simple coming of age story. She represents countless people struggling with mental health issues. It is a tribute to the unseen and circumstances of those struggling with mental health challenges.

Why do you feel this book is essential and what type of awareness does this novel bring to readers?

Valerie: I feel like this book is essential to recognizing those suffering from mental health challenges who are often invisible. Mental health is a stigmatized topic in our community. Our mental health is fragile. It can happen to any of us. We are but one life event away from triggering the onset of mental health challenges.