I’m gearing up for the birthday bash at We Love Memoirs on August 28, 2017. This is a fun, hilarious, and oh so friendly, memoir-loving group on Facebook where there’s always something going on. On this momentous day (I do believe it’s their second birthday), I’m going to pay them a visit where I’ll eat some virtual cake, drink a virtual martini, (maybe two), sneak down the “naughty” step, and give away an ebook of my memoir, Loveyoubye: Holding Fast, Letting Go, And Then There’s The Dog. I’d love to see you there!
Below, I’ve listed some questions and answers about my writing process and also a little insight as to how Loveyoubye came about.
1. What inspired you to write this particular story?
It started out as a way for me to let off steam and gain some sense of sanity after my husband of twenty-five years started disappearing for weeks at a time, without apology or explanation.
2. Describe your writing in three words.
That’s a hard one. Instead, how about I share a couple of Amazon reviews for Loveyoubye:
“. . . an honest book written by a woman with the soul of a poet.”
“. . . the author tells her husband’s side of the story with generosity and love, with sympathy and candor.”
And finally, people say my books are an “easy” read.
3. What authors inspire or influence your work?
Mary Karr, Abigail Thomas, Carol Shields, Raymond Chandler, Anne Lamott, Elena Ferrante, Elmore Leonard (“leave out the boring parts”), and countless others.
4. Is the Thesaurus one of your best writing friends?
Definitely. I want each and every word to count. Finding the right one is vital.
5. How Does Your Writing Process Work?
So far I’ve been prompted to write by a need to resolve some issues deep inside me, to scratch an itch I can’t quite locate. I wrote all three of my books by the seat of my pants, this way. However, I’d love to be able to outline a story. I’m working on it.
6. What project(s) are you working on now?
My gazillionth revision of my YA novel, Monkey’s Wedding is with my editor. It was almost published back in the late 90s, but my publisher merged with another house and I was dumped. I went on to write the sequel, Mine Dances (also set in Africa), which I’ll spiff up next. Then it’s on to getting them both published.
7. Where can readers find you and your book(s) online?
https://www.rossandrawhite.com, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Indiebound