What do you think?
Rate this book
Work In Progress
Have you ever finished a book and wondered, "What made the author think of that?" Or wondered if there was a chapter in the original manuscript that didn't make it through the final edits? Maybe you'd like to get a sneak peek at what an author is currently working on. Work In Progress includes fifty-nine excerpts from some talented authors' works in progress in different stages of the writing process, followed up with the story behind the story of the piece, and the story behind the author who wrote it.
Where did the idea come from? What were they thinking during the writing process? Why did they delete a chapter, or change a character?
Find out the answers to these questions and more inside...
Where did the idea come from? What were they thinking during the writing process? Why did they delete a chapter, or change a character?
Find out the answers to these questions and more inside...
544 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 4, 2022
8 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
Mandy Haynes
30 books36 followersBiography
Mandy Haynes has spent hours on barstools, at backstage venues, and riding in vans listening to tales from some of the best songwriters and storytellers in Nashville, Tennessee. She now lives in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her three dogs, a turtle, and a grateful liver. Walking the Wrong Way Home was a finalist for the 2017 Tartt Fiction Award.
Mandy worked for twenty-six years for Vanderbilt University Medical Center before deciding to run away to Amelia Island. She started as a clerk, working in the mailroom and making thousand of copies of patients medical records - but worked her way up to finish the last sixteen years as a pediatric cardiac sonographer at Monroe Carroll Jr. Children's Hospital.
Some of her favorite memories include her time as a receptionist/administrative assistant in Addiction Psychiatry, break-room antics with her fellow refund clerks, and of course all of the families and children she met in cardiology.
Fans of Fannie Flagg, Sue Monk Kidd, Wiley Cash, Rick Bragg, Harper Lee, and Harry Crews might enjoy her writing style. These stories are for readers who like to chase their stories with a shot of whiskey while burrowed under a hand stitched quilt.
Mandy Haynes has spent hours on barstools, at backstage venues, and riding in vans listening to tales from some of the best songwriters and storytellers in Nashville, Tennessee. She now lives in Fernandina Beach, Florida with her three dogs, a turtle, and a grateful liver. Walking the Wrong Way Home was a finalist for the 2017 Tartt Fiction Award.
Mandy worked for twenty-six years for Vanderbilt University Medical Center before deciding to run away to Amelia Island. She started as a clerk, working in the mailroom and making thousand of copies of patients medical records - but worked her way up to finish the last sixteen years as a pediatric cardiac sonographer at Monroe Carroll Jr. Children's Hospital.
Some of her favorite memories include her time as a receptionist/administrative assistant in Addiction Psychiatry, break-room antics with her fellow refund clerks, and of course all of the families and children she met in cardiology.
Fans of Fannie Flagg, Sue Monk Kidd, Wiley Cash, Rick Bragg, Harper Lee, and Harry Crews might enjoy her writing style. These stories are for readers who like to chase their stories with a shot of whiskey while burrowed under a hand stitched quilt.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 15, 2020
Well, I had to read this twice to establish which was my favorite story...I still don’t know. There’s not one story in this collection that doesn’t resonate with me in one capacity or another. Being born and raised in the South, I have either known or been the characters in these stories at some point in my life (still wishing I was as smart as the Kendall in Tippie-Toe...). I’ve cried and giggled and felt joy and surprise and agony for these characters. Mandy is an amazing storyteller and the kind of person you want to know and be around because she will make your life richer by being part of it.
December 12, 2020
I marvel at the ability of short story writers to adeptly draw in and captivate the reader for a condensed moment in time. The author of Walking The Wrong Way Home surely doesn’t disappoint. Ms. Haynes is a bold new voice in Southern literature. Her stories are complete with authentic Southern atmosphere and vernacular, yet the themes presented are universal. She is especially talented at creating nuanced and well fleshed out characters. I couldn’t help but root for Elma, and I’ll never forget Jimmy, one of the truly good guys. And how I loved Hattie, the protagonist of my favorite story... one that I hope might be expanded and even developed into a novel. These stories can be savored one or a few at a time, but if you’re like me, you’ll keep telling yourself “just one more.”
December 5, 2019
Mandy's stories keep you wanting more. While they are fiction, they are also true. They lift you up, stir you in ways you don't think possible, and make you cry because you can't help it. I can't wait for the next one.
December 5, 2019
Every story is a new adventure of the mind and heart. Through Mandy Haynes’ words, a clear picture of the characters and the places they live will come to life. I feel as though I’ve known so many of these people at one time or another.
Beauty, sadness, joy - this read is loaded with emotions. It’s hard to put down and not catch myself thinking about it afterwords. I’m hooked ❤️😂😞🤭🤔💔😱😘...just to name a few reactions!
Beauty, sadness, joy - this read is loaded with emotions. It’s hard to put down and not catch myself thinking about it afterwords. I’m hooked ❤️😂😞🤭🤔💔😱😘...just to name a few reactions!
December 5, 2019
Mandy Haynes took me on a roller coaster ride of emotions with her stories of people, circumstances, and environments that were foreign to me. Her incredible story telling ability had me cheering for characters in their quest for "Home."
November 22, 2019
In her debut short story collection Walking the Wrong Way Home Mandy Haynes captures the stark contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the darkness of the hurtful people whose brokenness trickles down to others in their lives. These stories of abusive relationships and the shiny souls that not only survive them but often thrive are set—where else?—in the South of Haynes’ childhood. Her lyrical prose, picturesque settings, and vividly drawn characters pull the reader in from the beginning of each story, keeping alive the seeds of hope that she plants as she works the rich soil of southern literary fiction.
January 9, 2021
Poignant short stories with some definite, recurring, and underlying-until-they're-not themes; Haynes' book is about loss, redemption, frustration, love, misunderstanding and essentially (as cliched as this might sound) the condition of being a human being.
The protagonists are largely women, and some of the issues they face are specifically women's issues, but Haynes writes her characters and their situations from the earthy and deceptively homespun and seemingly simple, plain-talk perspective of a whole life lived and puts together the pieces in such a way that you are in Empathy Gear before you've made it more than a couple of paragraphs. Basically, if you're a person possessed of some life experience and an imagination, you will be able to appreciate this book. I would have used the word "enjoy" rather than "appreciate," as the purpose of art is provoke a reaction, and as with paintings of war and blues music that reaction is not always pleasant or even welcome, I'm going to say "appreciate" is more appropo here.
Individually, then: "The Red Shoes" was a standout for me, and "Tippy Toe" made me laugh. "Jimmy" was hard to get through but easy to feel, and the slow burns of "Her Baby Will Sing" and "Sanctify" were grimly satisfying. Finally, "Picking Up Puppies" should be required reading for anyone who hasn't figured out the relationship between books and covers yet.
Speaking of which - my one complaint with this book is not with the content. The formatting in the book - fonts and spacing, borders - are somewhat wonky, and the book is better than it appears to be because of this. Be patient with it, read it and spread the word - maybe it'll get a fancier re-release someday that clears up some of that. The cover (and indeed the fonts) are not the book, though, and this one exceeds expectations.
The protagonists are largely women, and some of the issues they face are specifically women's issues, but Haynes writes her characters and their situations from the earthy and deceptively homespun and seemingly simple, plain-talk perspective of a whole life lived and puts together the pieces in such a way that you are in Empathy Gear before you've made it more than a couple of paragraphs. Basically, if you're a person possessed of some life experience and an imagination, you will be able to appreciate this book. I would have used the word "enjoy" rather than "appreciate," as the purpose of art is provoke a reaction, and as with paintings of war and blues music that reaction is not always pleasant or even welcome, I'm going to say "appreciate" is more appropo here.
Individually, then: "The Red Shoes" was a standout for me, and "Tippy Toe" made me laugh. "Jimmy" was hard to get through but easy to feel, and the slow burns of "Her Baby Will Sing" and "Sanctify" were grimly satisfying. Finally, "Picking Up Puppies" should be required reading for anyone who hasn't figured out the relationship between books and covers yet.
Speaking of which - my one complaint with this book is not with the content. The formatting in the book - fonts and spacing, borders - are somewhat wonky, and the book is better than it appears to be because of this. Be patient with it, read it and spread the word - maybe it'll get a fancier re-release someday that clears up some of that. The cover (and indeed the fonts) are not the book, though, and this one exceeds expectations.
December 10, 2019
I enjoy reading, but it has to be something that’s going to keep me entertained & draw my attention. And this is one of those for me. I find Mandy’s stories to pull me in and not let me go and I literally don’t want to put this book down. Her characters are so full of life from page to page and you feel like you live through them. They touch your heart and your soul.
Mandy is a true storyteller and I recommend that you get this book and jump on in ;)!
Mandy is a true storyteller and I recommend that you get this book and jump on in ;)!
Read
December 22, 2019Amazon
Thanks Deb,
Your latest customer review is live on Amazon. We and millions of shoppers on Amazon appreciate the time you took to share your experience with this item.
Walking The Wrong Way Home ★★★★★ from Deb on December 19, 2019
Walking the Wrong Way Home by Mandy Haynes is SUPERB!!
Mandy literally drinks up the culture around her, the 'characters' become old friends that you passed on the street. She's multi-talented, a free soul who searches for the unique, the castaways are her found treasures. Finder of shark teeth, lover of animals of all shapes and sizes. The individuals in her stories feel like old friends and family! Can't wait for her next book!!
July 23, 2021
Let me start by saying that I very seldom read short stories, but the title of this collection called to me. And I am glad I picked this book up.
In each of the stories, the author reaches into a hodgepodge of people in small towns, picks one or two, and describes them and their flaws in vivid color and details.
Mandy Haynes has a beautiful storytelling voice and a gift for putting the reader smack into the lives of her characters.
In each of the stories, the author reaches into a hodgepodge of people in small towns, picks one or two, and describes them and their flaws in vivid color and details.
Mandy Haynes has a beautiful storytelling voice and a gift for putting the reader smack into the lives of her characters.
Currently reading
December 6, 2019Fine stories, written with great warmth, sensitivity and humor. Mandy Haynes introduced me to everyday people I never would have met before, and I'm very glad she did. These are stories that needed to be told.
December 7, 2019
What a DELIGHT! I could not put it down. I found myself so entwined with the characters and their story, as if I was in the room. Mandy's ability to describe in detail, makes these stories come to life.
December 15, 2021
A series of poignant tales that probe the human psyche and expose our vulnerabilities, our destructiveness, and our breaking points. But they also speak of hope. While each story contains a delicious insightful nugget, my favorites were “The Red Shoes,” “He Writes,” and “Lares And Penates.”
December 12, 2021
Loved it. Can’t wait to read more from Ms. Haynes.
December 6, 2019
What a great storytelling talent Mandy has! It may be fiction - but certainly doesn’t seem like fiction at all! This is really good stuff and look forward to more!! Keep writing Mandy!! I keep looking for the next chapter!!l. You just don’t want it to stop .... wow just wow!
December 12, 2019
I've been looking forward to the day I was able to hold a published book of stories by my dear friend, Mandy. I was so fortunate to be deck sittin', drinkin' a bit of tequila (a bit?), with this awesome woman who would tell me stories and listen to mine (when we weren't laughing so hard we could bust), and I see the seed of some of our discussions in a particular story, told in a way only her imagination and talent could tell it! Mandy is a born artist, storyteller, keeper of secrets, lover of life, and a wonderful listener. These stories will touch you whether you live in the South or anywhere. They are real people, real tragedies, real triumphs, real heroes in their own way. Mandy has a gift of soaking up stories from crazy places and making them real for us. I can't wait to see what comes next from this amazing woman!
January 7, 2022
What a brilliant idea for a book! I enjoyed every entry, and was pleased to find work-in-progress by writers whose work I had read and enjoyed before, like Claire Fullerton, Kathleen Rodgers, Debra Thomas, Kathy L. Murphy, Susan Cushman, and Heather Frese, as well as selections by new-to-me writers such as an excerpt of Jan Moran's HEPBURN'S NECKLACE, a scene from THE ART OF TRAVELING STRANGERS by Zoe Disigny and the first chapter of Robert Gwaltney's atmospheric and delightfully weird Southern gothic novel-in-progress. And so much more! Brava to editor Mandy Haynes for putting together this winning collection!
May 18, 2020
Loved this book. I read it earlier this year and recently reread it as my outdoor reading in the sunshine book.
I love all the characters and can just picture them in my mind so clearly I feel I know them. I wonder what they are all up to even though I know they are just from the book. Sometimes I felt like she was writing about me. I bet we can all relate to a character or 2 in this book. Definitely worth a read.
I love all the characters and can just picture them in my mind so clearly I feel I know them. I wonder what they are all up to even though I know they are just from the book. Sometimes I felt like she was writing about me. I bet we can all relate to a character or 2 in this book. Definitely worth a read.
October 29, 2020
Though short stories, Mandy's attention to detail with her characters makes you feel like you really know them. I can't wait to read more of her books in the future!
July 24, 2020
Mandy Haynes has written the most beautiful collection of stories I have read in a very long time. She has a unique talent for awakening empathy and compassion in the reader with her language, nuance, and detail. Each of her characters is so completely human and real that the reader is caught up in their eperiences, their challenges, and their lessons while also discovering lessons and insights about themselves and their own personal humanity. I found my heart breaking, my gut wrenching, my tears falling, and my mouth cheering them on as I was immersed in each story. I then shared the book with two friends, and when it returns to me, it will be one I will read again and again.
May 13, 2020
These stories set in the neck of the woods where I was born were such a pleasure to read. (Tennessee)It was so lovely to go home without having to buy a plane ticket. I found each story like a delicious morsel of my favourite meal. I wanted to savour each one, but I also felt like I was starving for such good stories that I wanted to devour them all as quickly as possible. Each one is filled with real human emotion and connection. The stories really stay with you. Mandy is a powerful storyteller and I can't wait to read more from her.
February 7, 2021
What a cast of characters! What a voice! And what insight and empathy into the lives of her diverse characters. I am a huge Mandy Haynes fan. I see in her writing traces of Flannery O’Conner and Alice Munro. Having read both of her short story collections, Walking the Wrong Way Home and Sharp as a Serpent’s Tooth, I find myself thinking of her characters long after closing the book. Most precious to me is Jewel. Check out both books to find out which story I’m talking about and why both Jewel and Mandy have touched my heart.
December 25, 2019
I don’t usually read short stories because they are well, you know short. But then I met Mandy and my opinion has changed. Her stories are full of flawed characters, hard times and redemption. The sense of place is pure and clear as a mountain stream. You will not be disappointed. Mandy Haynes is a voice to watch and follow.
March 5, 2020
"I finished reading "The Wrong Way Home" by Mandy Haynes. It was was wonderful! It left me wanting more. I will read it again. Mandy Haynes is an amazing talented person. I always knew when we where in school she was very talented.
The characters are full of southern charm and humanity. Mandy Haynes writes from the heart.
I loved all the things she inserted about our hometown.
The characters are full of southern charm and humanity. Mandy Haynes writes from the heart.
I loved all the things she inserted about our hometown.
August 2, 2020
OMG I am not a fan of short stories but something about this caught my eye and I am so glad it did!! This author is new to me and wow these are some of the best, weird, sad, happy and so on stories I have ever read in my life, do your self a great favor and pick this book up, you will not be disappointed in the least, it is wild and so damn good!!! Happy reading all!!
October 18, 2020
The stories in this book took me back to times of great joy and mischief, times of doing the right thing and missed opportunities. Times of Love and hate with a twist. It is a roller coaster ride that keeps pulling you back in wanting more. Enjoyed every second and highly recommend it. 5Star all the way!!!!!!
June 14, 2021
Mandy is a master of southern storytelling. This collection of short stories—from tender to terrifying—keep you pinned to the page. The dialogue is impeccable; I grew up in the South and I feel I personally knew each of her characters. I especially loved "The Red Shoes" and "Picking Up Puppies." A great read for fans of southern fiction.
August 24, 2024
Mandy Haynes has written a remarkable collection of short stories! I enjoyed reading all the stories in Walking the Wrong Way Home. My favorites are "Picking Up Puppies" and "Hattie." Congratulations and thanks to Mandy Haynes for this superbly crafted collection of Southern voices and Southern experience.
December 15, 2019
❤️❤️❤️ This was everything and more than I expected from Mandy. When I thought I had my favorite character I’d start a new chapter and fall in love all over again. Mandy’s stories will resonate with everyone, no matter (or maybe in spite of) your upbringing or circumstances.
December 26, 2019
I love short stories and these are so good. They make you want more of the characters. In just a few pages you get attached and want to know them deeper. I feel like these characters must be based off of people she has actually met because they are so real. Great read!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews