Adding Lib
Author: Kathryn Elliott
Genre: Women's Fiction
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Book Description:
Libby
O'Rourke has a short fuse. Her mother, Mae, carries a big match. Engulfed in
the never-ending life-juggling of suburbia, Libby fails to notice Mae's
emerging dementia symptoms until a kitchen fire puts the problem on the front
burner.
Proficient
in the art of denial, Mae brushes the shattering diagnosis aside and sets her
sights on a matchmaking crusade for her eldest son. After all, if her lucid
days are numbered, Mae’s going to make damned sure he makes it down the aisle
while she still recognizes the groom.
It’s going
to take a razor wit and an iron stomach to handle Mae's diagnosis. Thankfully,
just like her mother Libby has both.
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Author Interview
1. Tell a little about yourself. What you do when you’re not writing? What are your aspirations for the future?
When I’m not writing the days fill with Mom chores and a variety of freelance publicity assignments. My roots in the music industry gave me a solid foundation in marketing, but in recent years I’ve furthered my writing career as a political consultant and freelance journalist. One thing you take away from day writing for politicians – a definite need for some fiction fun at night.
2. When and why did you start writing?
I’ve written professionally since graduating college in a variety of capacities; however Adding Lib is my debut fiction release.
3. Have any particular novels or writers influenced your writing?
Several writers influence me, but three come to mind right off the bat as heavy hitters. Maya Angelou was a visiting lecturer at my college in 1988 and I was lucky enough to have a personal meeting. I distinctly remember her tone, not so much the words, but the smooth eloquent way she answered questions with a familiar ease and encouraged young writers like myself to pursue their dreams. I’ve also got a huge girl crush on Diana Gabaldon. Outlander found its way to me during a very difficult time, and her words were my salvation. And of course I wouldn’t write the way I do without the tremendous influence of Erma Bombeck.
4. Give us some backstory behind Adding Lib. Where and when did you write it?
Adding Lib was a concept long before I started to write; a bucket list item scratched out on a bunch of post-it notes, a ‘someday’ ambition. I didn’t have character names, just images and floating dialogue running around in my head. After running the storyline by family and friends, many encouraged me to get cracking but the self-doubt weighed in louder than the drive to try until one of those friends, Sharon, gave me the courage to take Adding Lib from concept to fruition.
Sharon, like me, was an overscheduled mother committed to her kids before herself and neglected to see a doctor for a nagging backache until the pain got too much to manage. The diagnosis - stage four stomach cancer, terminal and rapidly progressing.
On one of our rides to chemo, a trip we both knew was futile, she said something that stuck. . “Life’s funny; you never know what’s coming – I guess we add lib through the tough parts to get to the laughter.” And there it was – Adding Lib; my title, and the sign I needed to push on.
5. What was your favorite part of writing Adding Lib?
I truly enjoy finding the quirks and layers in my characters. Developing a story outline is a great foundation, but the people that bring it to life are far more fun to work with.
6. What does your writing schedule look like? Schedule?
You’re a riot! I haven’t had a schedule since I had children. The honest answer is I’m a pantser, I write when I can, often into the wee hours of the morning with the company of my critique partner and Chief Labrador in charge, Maggie. Editing is done strictly in the light of day with a clear head and a steady caffeine infusion.
7. Which fictional character would you like to take to dinner and why?
Heathcliff – Wuthering Heights. Bronte was the master of the brooding male – brooding warms my knickers.
8. Besides your lead, do you have a favourite character in the story?
An easy answer is Mae, Libby’s mother and the voice of devout Catholic matriarchs everywhere. But I’m going to pick Dolores, Libby’s librarian boss. I love a good prude-gone-rouge, especially one over 70.
9. What is one of the most surprising things you've learned as a writer?
Writer’s block is real. Forcing th words on to the page simply to meet self-imposed deadline isn’t worth the time. Early on I took some well-intended advice and wrote through a nasty block, the result was a poorly crafted mess of dull. For me, it’s best to mull through a dry patch and turn the creative juices to another, non-writing related project. Some of my best ideas have come by rearranging furniture; drives my husband mad.
10. Any advice for aspiring authors?
A writing career does not follow one particular route; find your own path. Oh, invest in a skin-thickening cream; Jose Cuervo makes a nice one.
1. Tell a little about yourself. What you do when you’re not writing? What are your aspirations for the future?
When I’m not writing the days fill with Mom chores and a variety of freelance publicity assignments. My roots in the music industry gave me a solid foundation in marketing, but in recent years I’ve furthered my writing career as a political consultant and freelance journalist. One thing you take away from day writing for politicians – a definite need for some fiction fun at night.
2. When and why did you start writing?
I’ve written professionally since graduating college in a variety of capacities; however Adding Lib is my debut fiction release.
3. Have any particular novels or writers influenced your writing?
Several writers influence me, but three come to mind right off the bat as heavy hitters. Maya Angelou was a visiting lecturer at my college in 1988 and I was lucky enough to have a personal meeting. I distinctly remember her tone, not so much the words, but the smooth eloquent way she answered questions with a familiar ease and encouraged young writers like myself to pursue their dreams. I’ve also got a huge girl crush on Diana Gabaldon. Outlander found its way to me during a very difficult time, and her words were my salvation. And of course I wouldn’t write the way I do without the tremendous influence of Erma Bombeck.
4. Give us some backstory behind Adding Lib. Where and when did you write it?
Adding Lib was a concept long before I started to write; a bucket list item scratched out on a bunch of post-it notes, a ‘someday’ ambition. I didn’t have character names, just images and floating dialogue running around in my head. After running the storyline by family and friends, many encouraged me to get cracking but the self-doubt weighed in louder than the drive to try until one of those friends, Sharon, gave me the courage to take Adding Lib from concept to fruition.
Sharon, like me, was an overscheduled mother committed to her kids before herself and neglected to see a doctor for a nagging backache until the pain got too much to manage. The diagnosis - stage four stomach cancer, terminal and rapidly progressing.
On one of our rides to chemo, a trip we both knew was futile, she said something that stuck. . “Life’s funny; you never know what’s coming – I guess we add lib through the tough parts to get to the laughter.” And there it was – Adding Lib; my title, and the sign I needed to push on.
5. What was your favorite part of writing Adding Lib?
I truly enjoy finding the quirks and layers in my characters. Developing a story outline is a great foundation, but the people that bring it to life are far more fun to work with.
6. What does your writing schedule look like? Schedule?
You’re a riot! I haven’t had a schedule since I had children. The honest answer is I’m a pantser, I write when I can, often into the wee hours of the morning with the company of my critique partner and Chief Labrador in charge, Maggie. Editing is done strictly in the light of day with a clear head and a steady caffeine infusion.
7. Which fictional character would you like to take to dinner and why?
Heathcliff – Wuthering Heights. Bronte was the master of the brooding male – brooding warms my knickers.
8. Besides your lead, do you have a favourite character in the story?
An easy answer is Mae, Libby’s mother and the voice of devout Catholic matriarchs everywhere. But I’m going to pick Dolores, Libby’s librarian boss. I love a good prude-gone-rouge, especially one over 70.
9. What is one of the most surprising things you've learned as a writer?
Writer’s block is real. Forcing th words on to the page simply to meet self-imposed deadline isn’t worth the time. Early on I took some well-intended advice and wrote through a nasty block, the result was a poorly crafted mess of dull. For me, it’s best to mull through a dry patch and turn the creative juices to another, non-writing related project. Some of my best ideas have come by rearranging furniture; drives my husband mad.
10. Any advice for aspiring authors?
A writing career does not follow one particular route; find your own path. Oh, invest in a skin-thickening cream; Jose Cuervo makes a nice one.
About the Author
Kathryn
Elliott is a lifetime journalist with awards in political satire, human
interest, and commentary. A Connecticut native, she is a happily married mother
of two sons with high hopes one of them will pay for a delightful rest home.
A
true believer in laughter's healing power, Kathryn writes characters whose
flaws resonate with readers long after "The End."
ADDING LIB is her debut novel, and the first in The McGinn Series.
ADDING LIB is her debut novel, and the first in The McGinn Series.
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ReplyDeleteJust as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?
ReplyDeleteHi Mai!
DeleteMy biggest author influences are Diana Gabaldon and Erma Bombeck. :)
There is no substitute for a great weekend without a great read.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like it would be a great book!! Definitely adding this to my TBR! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie! Hope you enjoy.
Deletesounds like a good one
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good book!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the interview, thanks for sharing, sounds like a great book
ReplyDeleteI loved the interview! Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a cute book, thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGreat book description~it really whets your appetite to read the book! The cover and title are awesome! Thank you for the great post and contest!
ReplyDeleteLove the title! Thank you for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed learning about the book. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDelete