Cherry K. Houck

C.K. Houck grew up in a college town in Alabama and spent her working life in a college town in Virginia. Now retired from a career as a university professor, she writes fiction, an interest she deferred since her undergraduate years at the University of Alabama. Author of numerous scholarly publications in the field of Special Education, she now enjoys the freedom of letting her imagination take her to places she's never been and stepping into the lives of characters that appear on the wondrous 'stage' of her mind. Widow of her high school sweetheart, mother of their beloved son, and blessed with three precious grandchildren, she splits her time between her homes in Florida and Virginia. She is currently working on her second novel. For more information visit ckhouck.com.

Author Q&A

Q: What inspired you to write The University?

A: From my early years as a student at the University of Alabama I started to realize just how complex colleges and university communities truly are. Students, faculty, administrators, not to mention avid alumni, sports fans, and other stakeholders beyond the campus. Universities are fascinating places and, while insulated to a point, they are not immune to the intrigues and challenges seen elsewhere or to untoward forces though in our minds we might expect and want them to be. Despite unifying goals, stakeholders have their own needs and agendas.

The University is a multilayered story of inextricably linked lives set to the cadence of one school year. Only this year the stars align in a way that shakes fictitious Brighton University to its very core.

Q: The University has three main characters. What led you to structure the story this way?

A: I wanted the novel to reflect the primary constituents in any university community. The three main characters, David Bradford (Brighton University's Provost), Marjorie Starr (A rookie Chemistry Professor), and Susan Arnold (a senior) allowed me to weave a story with supporting characters you might see on any college campus and stakeholders beyond.

Q: How did you come up with the timeframe you used for this story?

A: The calendar and events of one school year provided inherent structure. I wanted to incorporate events and traditions one might see on any college or university campus. Move-in week, classes, Greek life, sports events, homecoming, school breaks, exams, graduation--the calendar and such happenings provided an underlying drumbeat driving the story.

Q: In this story, do you have a favorite character?

A: Actually, as I was writing I found myself slipping into each character's shoes--seeing the University environment as he or she might see it. As for the three main characters, I love Marjorie Starr for her fine mind, her strength, her sense of fairness and humility given her privileged upbringing. I admire David Bradford, the school's brilliant Provost, for his determination and steady hand as the school's most capable leader during this tumultuous year. And I respect Susan Arnold for her loyalty to her friends, her clear commitment to her presidential duties and her upstanding values in an environment where there can easily be slips. And, although it's hard to choose, I suppose my most favorite secondary characters are Bea Simpson, Payne Walker, and Nathan Brown. But, that said, it was easy to get swept up in the grand life of Walter Trammel. Of course, even mentioning these as favorites, I feel somewhat remiss for not identifying others such as the delightful old board member, Cy Price, and the highly accomplished Beverly Gray who seems fearless.

Q: You grew up and worked in university settings. Is this story anything like what you experienced in reality?

A: The University is fiction. But these and other university setting created vivid memories in my mind. The academic calendar, wonderful school traditions, and stakeholders within and beyond universities today served as anchors allowing me to weave this present tale. The characters, their actions and events simply unfolded as I strived to portray a time-honored school as it lives and breathes suddenly beset by scurrilous challenges this unforgettable school year.

Q: Will any of the characters in The University appear in the novel you're currently writing?

A: Actually, the manuscript I'm working on right now has a different theme but I'm beginning to have glimmers of where the present story may pick up. So, yes, some of these characters are likely to appear again. I hope you'll stay tuned!

Some Characters you'll meet in 'The University':

David Bradford: Brighton University's brilliant and masterful Provost whose unspoken goal is to be the school's next president. Self-made, he's the school's 'Number Two' man on paper but with a weak president at the helm, most of the responsibilities fall his way. This year, more trouble than any person deserves.

Marjorie Starr: A stunning rookie chemist from Texas with a privileged past she'd like to keep secret. She soon finds herself entangled in campus scandals.

Susan Arnold: A senior and this year's president of the Omega sorority. She breezes into town looking forward to a glorious senior year never expecting the tragic events she must face.

Nathan Brown: An enigmatic North Carolina entrepreneur, alumnus, and generous supporter whose passion is sports.

Walter Trammel: A handsome coal baron recently appointed to the school's Board of Trustees. A man with whom most women might easily fall in love.

Bea Simpson: The Omegas sorority's much-loved housemother.

Ray Black: The school's 'in the thick of things' attorney.

Ann Ramsey: A chemistry doc. student who finds herself in a pile of trouble.

Joe Boone: A whistle-blower who has to be stopped.

Payne Walker: Marjorie's elderly widowed friend who shares her love for country living and horses.

For more information and Book Group 'starters' visit ckhouck.com.