Books: Y'all gonna love this one

If it were not written in black and white at the beginning of the book I would not have picked this as a debut novel. It is quite simply superb and I can't wait to see what Beth Hoffman comes up with next.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt is not a thriller or a mystery or chick-lit, it is a fascinating and funny story of a 12-year-old girl who finds herself living in the lap of luxury in a stunning house in the southern town of Savannah after her mother dies.

The characters are glorious, some eccentric, some slightly mad, but all vivid and fascinating.

Be careful, though, readers, you might just find yourself talking with a southern drawl after reading this book. You'll also find yourself thinking about the story long after you've read the final page.

I asked Hoffman about her book.

Tell us a little about yourself, for instance, what did you do before writing this novel?

I grew up on an old homestead farm in rural Ohio. It was a beautiful area surrounded by woodlands and wildlife. As I child I loved writing, painting and animals. I chose to study art, and that segued into interior design. Though I had written fiction since the age of 12, it was purely for my own amusement.

What made you decide you were ready to write a book?

After I nearly died of septicaemia (the same infection that took puppeteer Jim Henson's life), something inside me shifted. That's when my childhood longing to write a novel re-emerged. For several years I waffled back and forth, wondering if I really had what it took to write successfully, but as time passed my longing intensified. When I finally decided to take the now or never leap, I sold my design business, kicked off my high heels and began to write. Looking back, it was the gutsiest thing I've ever done.

Are your colourful, alive characters based on anyone you know?

For the most part the characters in CeeCee's story are products of my imagination. Aunt Tootie bears a resemblance to my Great Aunt Mildred (to whom the book is dedicated) and, when it comes to the eccentric Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, I must admit she is a great deal like me.

CeeCee Honeycutt is a very unusual name. Where did that come from?

As odd as it seems, when the character of CeeCee took shape in my mind, I actually heard her name in my head, and I heard it in a child's voice that turned out to be CeeCee herself. It was quite an experience, one that is often referred to as writer's alchemy.

What's your secret to a believable character?

I'm an introvert, and by nature introverts are usually quite observant. Most introverts derive a great deal of entertainment from casual eavesdropping. Whether it's listening to the conversation at the next table in a restaurant or while standing in line at the licence bureau, we tend to be fascinated by nuances in body language, voice inflections and mannerisms. I think writers who are known for character-driven fiction are much like actors in their ability to get into character.

What research did you do?

From the get-go I knew the sense of place would be incredibly important to CeeCee's story, and while writing the manuscript I spent a great deal of time in Savannah, Georgia. So much so that I've made some wonderful friendships and am now an honorary citizen of that gorgeous city. Savannah is so unique in its history, architecture and culture that it's very much like a character unto itself, and that was something I wanted to capture in CeeCee's story.

What did you do to celebrate the publishing of this novel?

I wept and cheered and danced through the house with my cats in my arms, and then was immediately catapulted into a nationwide book tour.

Who are your favourite authors?

That's always a tough question to answer, but those who stand out are Truman Capote, Carol Shields, Reynolds Price and Laurie Lee. I'm also a huge fan of Pat Conroy.

What's next?

I've just completed my new novel. The title is Looking For Me, and I'm crazy about the story. The US publication is scheduled for early 2013.