Book Reviews & Stories by Danielle
I was very grateful that Terri Ann Leidich participated in an Author Interview. Part 1 of the interview included her take on the writing process sprinkled with a few random questions. Check it out here.
Part 2 consists of questions specific to her book Family Inheritance, that is set to be released on October 1, 2014. I recently completed the book and wrote a book review on it.
I’m always curious about an author’s process of writing a book because they speak of the same struggles that I’m going through with mine. You know what I’m talking about…finding time, motivation, and inspiration. It’s also great to hear about books I enjoyed reading and what it took to get them published.
So, here are a few questions and answers…
Q: What was your motivation for starting Family Inheritance 30 years ago and what motivated you to finish after all these years?
I was in my early 30s and in a very difficult time in my life, and writing has always been a stress release for me. I was working on some poetry and Helene’s character came into my mind, so I started an outline and the other two sisters appeared in my imagination. Over the months, I began talking with friends, acquaintances, people I would meet on airplanes, etc. about their lives or the lives of women they knew. It’s amazing what people are willing to share if they feel you are interested and truly care.
I began to realize that behind the facades of “perfect lives”, a lot of trauma could be hiding, and many times the difficulties women would talk about had some connection to their childhood. That’s when the title of Family Inheritance took hold in my mind. It probably took about ten years to finish the basic story, but the publishing environment at that time was tough for new writers and we didn’t get to have a lot of say in our stories.
After many rejections, I had a tentative offer from a large publisher about 20 years ago, but they wanted to eliminate Alice from the story, and I wasn’t willing to do that. So, I put the manuscript in a file drawer. I realized a few years ago that if I wanted to bring Helene, Alice, and Suzanne into the lives of other women who might be helped by them, I needed to do something about it, because I’m not getting any younger.
Q: Did you develop your characters based on where and how you grew up?
Each character has a small piece of either my experience of the life or experience of someone I know. The rest is fiction. My family, like most families, had its own level of dysfunction but nowhere to the degree that Helene, Alice, and Suzanne experienced. For instance, my father was an alcoholic and my mother’s life when she was married to hims was difficult, but not to the degree of Anna’s life.
Q: How many drafts went into this book before it got published?
So many that I lost count over the years. As with any writer, the more I wrote, the more I learned, and the more I learned, the more changing and honing I did with the book. My sister Kathy read one of the first drafts over 25 years ago and she recently read an advance copy of the book. She gave me the greatest compliments, “You’ve done good, girl!” If you have sisters, you know that’s sister talk for “I liked it.”
Q: In what ways is Family Inheritance being marketed?
Through reviews, giveaways, through the distributor working directly with wholesalers, working with bookstores, strong social media campaigns, press releases, book signings, book club appearances, etc.
Q: What part of the book was the most difficult to write and why?
Alice’s story was the hardest to write. When I wrote the scene where she was talking with Thelma about wanting better for herself and Thelma said, “There ain’t no better for you and me…Just put up with what you gotta put with and get on with life…Your father hit your mother. My father hit my mother. Al hits me. Jake hits you. What’s that tell you, Alice? Who do yu know that’s got different?”
When the scene was written, I sat down and cried because I know for many women, abuse is and has been a strong part of their lives. That breaks my heart to this day.
Q: What part of the book did you enjoy writing the most?
When the sisters started really connecting and helping each other take good, long looks at themselves. Whey they did, they all came out better because of it. I totally enjoyed writing those scenes.
Thank you again to Terri Ann Leidich for being a part of an author interview.
This week I’m adding the books I discovered a the Literary Tea event hosted by the Women’s National Book Association Los Angeles Chapter. I’m very excited to add these to my reading list.
A Pinch of Ooh La La by Renee Swindle
Blurb: “Abbey Ross, who runs her own bakery in Oakland, California, is known for her visually stunning wedding cakes. But lately, Abbey’s own love life has become stale. According to her best friend, Bendrix, Abbey’s not the spontaneous young woman she was when they were teenagers listening to the Cure and creating attention-grabbing graffiti. Of course, her failed relationship with a womanizing art forger might have something to do with that.
Nevertheless, it’s time for Abbey to step out of the kitchen—and her comfort zone—and Bendrix has even handpicked a man for her to date.
Samuel Howard is everything Abbey’s dreamed of: handsome, successful, and looking to raise a family. But a creamy icing might be needed to hide a problem or two. When Samuel complains about disrespect for the institution of marriage, Abbey’s reminded of her nontraditional family, with thirteen children from various mothers. And when Samuel rails about kids having kids, Abbey thinks of her twenty-year-old sister who’s recently revealed her pregnancy.
Soon Abbey is facing one disaster after another and struggling to make sense of it all. Her search for love has led her down a bitter path, but with the help of her unique family and unwavering friends, she just might find the ooh la la that makes life sweet.”
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Copper Magic by Julia Mary Gibson
Blurb: “The year is 1906, and on the shores of Lake Michigan twelve-year-old Violet Blake unearths an ancient talisman—a copper hand. Violet’s touch warms the copper hand and it begins to reveal glimpses of another time. Violet is certain that the copper hand is magic—and if anyone is in need of its powers, it’s Violet. Her mother and adored baby brother are gone, perhaps never to return. Her heartbroken father can’t seem to sustain the failing farm on the outskirts of Pigeon Harbor, on the shores of Lake Michigan.
Surely the magic of the copper hand can make things right for Violet and restore her fractured family. Violet makes a wish. But her ignorant carelessness unleashes formidable powers—and her attempts to control them jeopardizes not only herself, but the entire town of Pigeon Harbor.
In Copper Magic, land and waters are alive with memories, intentions, and impulses. Magic alters Violet and brings her gifts—but not always the kind she thinks she needs. First-time author Julia Mary Gibson brings Violet and her community to life in this impressive and assured debut.”
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Expecting by Ann Lewis Hamilton
Blurb: “A mom, a dad, a baby…and another dad.
Laurie and Alan are expecting, again. After two miscarriages, Laurie was afraid they’d never be able to have a child. Now she’s cautiously optimistic — the fertility treatment worked, and things seem to be different this time around. But she doesn’t yet know how different.
Jack can’t seem to catch a break — his parents are on his case about graduating from college, he’s somehow dating two girls at once, and he has to find a way to pay back the money he borrowed from his fraternity’s party fund. The only jobs he is qualified for barely pay enough to keep him in beer money, but an ad for the local sperm bank gives Jack an idea.
Laurie and Alan’s joy is shattered when their doctor reveals that Laurie was accidentally impregnated by sperm from a donor rather than her husband. Who is Donor 296. And how will their family change now that Donor 296 is inarguably part of it?”
What did you find this week?
Today, I wanted to share a few books I love that were made into movies.
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
I know it’s very cliche to love The Notebook, but I do! I’m a huge fan of the Nicholas Sparks books and anytime he announces another movie adaptation I start to freak out! Obviously, The Notebook is the most popular one, but I love every single one of them.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I really loved reading this series and was so excited when the movies started coming out. Part 1 of the Mocking Jay will be out this year! Yay! I can’t wait to see it. I just hope that the movie doesn’t portray Katniss as needy as she was in the third book. That’s the only thing I didn’t like about the last book.
As a side note, when my fiancé gave me the books for Christmas..or my birthday, not sure which…I read all three in a week. I think he missed me that week.
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Myers
I will admit that I never finished the last book (I seriously need to do that), but I read all the others. I loved the series and I thought the movies were just ok. I just didn’t like Kristen Stewart playing Bella. She kind of ruined it for me, but that’s just my opinion.
What books do you love that were adapted into movies?
I’m so ready for a vacation! My fiancé and I need time away from work and time away from wedding planning.
We’re going to spend a few days at Disney World..specifically at Epcot where they are hosting the Food & Wine Festival because we LOVE food! We spent a week at Disney World last year (my first time there) and I definitely over indulged. I learned my lesson and I’m going to be very selective about the stuff I try this year.
Here are some things I want to try when we get to Epcot:
After Disney World we will be heading to Cancun! I’ve never been and I’m looking forward to laying out on the beach and catching up on some reading.
I’m hoping to finish reading the following books on vacation:
I will definitely have some posts scheduled while I’m gone. However, if I don’t respond to comments or questions right away it’s because I’m soaking up some sun. I will make sure to respond as soon as I can.
Hope everyone has a great week!
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish blog. This week is the Top Ten Books On My Fall To-Be-Read List.
Here are my top ten books to be read this fall, in no particular order:
1. Walt Before Mickey by Timothy Susanin (currently reading)
2. Sideswiped by Lia Riley
3. Things I Wish I Could Have Told My Younger Self by E.A. Davis
4. The Watchers Book 1: Knight of Light by Deirdra Eden
5. Hello Love by Karen McQuestion
6. The Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna Van Praag
7. Almost Famous Women by Megan Mayhew Bergman
8. After the Rain by Lilian Darcy
9. Nothing But Lies by Lyndon Stacey
10. Before I Go by Colleen Oakley
Yesterday, I attended my very first event focused solely on books. Not only had I never been to an author reading, I had never been in a room full of people that share the same interest as I do. Everyone there loves to read books.
The Literary Tea, which is hosted by the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) Los Angeles Chapter, featured three talented authors discussing and reading from their book. I was so enamored by the whole event and gobbled up every word. I never knew how exciting it could be to hear authors, in person, read from their books and talk about their writing process.
I found the WNBA through Net Galley…no surprise there. When a professional reader is creating their profile they can add what associations they are a part of. At the time, I wasn’t a part of any association, but I was curious as to what was out there. I looked a few up and was intrigued by this group and found that they have a Los Angeles chapter. Score!
“The LA Chapter of WNBA brings together individuals with diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas, focus on issues, make contacts, and support the local book community. In an effort to advance knowledge of the world of book publishing and related fields, we welcome, encourage, and educate people from all areas of the book industry, particularly women.
Our members include authors, screenwriters, poets, songwriters, performance artists, activists, readers, publishers, librarians, booksellers, educators, publicists, editors, production/graphics specialists, agents and reviewers.” – WNBA/LA Website
Now that I’ve given you a bit about the WNBA, let me get into the Literary Tea event. I walked into this gorgeous home to find a table full of delicious snacks and drinks. There was even a little live piano which made me totally relaxed. Everyone was so friendly and I met some great people who I clicked with almost instantly.
The first author we heard from was Renee Swindle who wrote A Pinch of Ooh La La. She read so passionately and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her.
After the reading, there was a brief Q&A. One question was “How do you find the time to write with a full-time job as a professor?”. Renee said that she gets up at 4am every morning and writes before heading to class otherwise she would be too tired when she got home.
This is the exact problem I have when I’m trying to write my book. I go to my “day job” from 7am-4pm plus a 30 minute train ride each way. When I get home I go to the gym, I play softball, and I spend time with my fiancé. So it seems that the weekday evenings just don’t work for me. I’m exhausted by the end of the day and am rarely motivated to write. Perhaps I should try this 4am thing.
“Renee Swindle’s first novel, Please Please Please, was an Essence Magazine/Blackboard bestseller. Her second novel, Shake Down The Stars was a Blogger’s Recommend Top Pick. Her new novel, A Pinch of Oh La La, is about the adventures of a young woman in jazz, love, and baking in a multi-cultural family in Oakland. Renee earned her BA from UC Irvine and her MFA from San Diego State University. She lives in Oakland, California with her three rescue dogs and three cats.” – WNBA/LA Website
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Julia Mary Gibson was the next author discussing her debut novel Copper Magic. I loved that she brought a prop to show the group. It was a cut out of a “copper” hand which is an object featured in her book and from the reading it seems like the copper hand is very important.
“Julia Mary Gibson was born the child of radical activist poets in the time of the Freedom Rides and the Vietnam War. She grew up to be a communard, welfare mother, waitress, secretary, visual effects producer, and mentor to unwed teens. She spent her childhood summers on the shores of Lake Michigan, which inspired her first novel, Copper Magic. Julia now lives in sight of the Hollywood sign in California.” – WNBA/LA Website
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The final author, Ann Hamilton, read from her debut novel Expecting. The Q&A portion with Hamilton was interesting as she got into discussing how her current book agent came to be her agent. She also spoke of how the book comes from some personal experiences about fertility and what it takes to have a family.
“Ann Hamilton is an Emmy Award nominated film/TV writer and producer, with credits including Grey’s Anatomy, Stephen King’s Dead Zone, Thirtysomething, Party of Five and One Tree Hill. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time as a amateur astronaut. (Not really, but she has seen Gravity three times and would consider being an astronaut if she got to meet George Clooney.) Ann Hamilton’s debut novel, Expecting, is about a young couple’s wish for a baby and their adventures in the world of fertility treatments.” – WNBA/LA Website
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I really enjoyed attending the Literary Tea and plan on being a part of many more WNBA/LA events. I also can’t wait to read the books from these amazing authors.
Oh and I forgot to mention…I won a book in a raffle at the Literary Tea! Yay!
Today marks the 6th anniversary of my mother passing. I feel like it should be easier the sixth time around, but this year hurts more than the last few. I’m constantly dreaming of her now and I know it’s because of all the wedding planning I’m doing.
In one dream, I’m standing in front of a full length mirror wearing my wedding dress and veil. I turn to head down the isle when my veil gets snagged and rips. I start to cry and that’s when my mom appears to tell me everything will be all right. Other dreams with her are about my upcoming nuptials, but there are the few that venture back to when she was alive.
I went on my first dress appointment by my myself because I wanted to be left with my own thoughts knowing I would be thinking of how my mom wasn’t there to see me. Now, each time I see myself in my wedding dress, her face appears in my head and I have to choke back tears and sobs. Planning the wedding of my dreams has caused these painful emotions to bubble up once again and I’m constantly trying not to think of the day she left us.
I keep telling myself “You know she’s with you right now, watching over you“, but it’s not fair that she isn’t physically here. I would give anything to be able to pick up the phone and tell her about how our wedding is progressing. To ask for her opinion on the type of flowers we should get or if I should wear my hair up or down.
I know that on one of the happiest days of my life, I won’t be standing in front of the full length mirror and see my mother’s reflection looking back at me. She’ll just be living in my memory.
Knowing that I’m going to me marrying the man of my dreams makes it better and I know that she would have loved him. I also have many family members and friends who will be with me to share in my happiness that day. I will have my wonderful step-mother and future mother-in-law who have graciously taken the place of “mother” in my life.
I feel blessed and fortunate to have people in my life that care about me and love me. I just wish my mom wasn’t gone.
Lisa Michelle Miller
November 9, 1963 – September 20, 2008
I’ve been so busy lately, but this week I spent some time going through blogs I follow and read some reviews. Here are a few books I found this week.
Pieces of You by Ella Harper (Found on Paris Baker Writing):
Paris Baker got this book through Net Galley (I worship this site), so once I’ve increased my percentage I will request this book. I’ve been requesting so many and not giving enough feedback…there’s just so many books I want to read!
The Secret Wife by Linda Kavanagh (Found on Cleopatra Loves Books):
I can always count on Cleopatra to find books that I would be interested in reading. Even though she wasn’t really feeling this book, I think I might give it a try.
What did you find this week?
Stories Unfolded 