It’s April 15 and that means one month until the launch of Tangled Roots. It’s getting very exciting, very busy and a bit scary. I’m sure as the days go by I’ll be more and more preoccupied with all that it means to be publishing my first novel. But I also thought I’d ask your indulgence to allow me to use this space to get my thoughts clear about what I wrote and why. Already I’m getting asked all sorts of questions about the book, my process, my goals, my themes. So I think, on and off over the next few weeks, I’ll start answering some of those questions here.
The first question inevitably is, What’s it about? Well, I once read an interview where a writer said that a first novel is about everything the writer has learned so far. I actually believe that to be true and that probably creates one of the big differences between writing your first novel at 20 and writing it at 50. I certainly didn’t set out to write a book about everything I know, but looking back over the themes that have found their way into the novel I realize it is, indeed, what I have done. Tangled Roots is about mothers and sons, about religion and spirituality. It is about theoretical physics and the search for knowledge. It is about friendship and family and love and neglect. It is about the redemptive powers of baseball. It is about the potency of the past and the role it has on the future, and about the often unknown, yet undeniable, influences one life will have on another.
Over the next few weeks I’ll get down to specifics. But for now, I think that will do except to say to you film lovers out there that while I was writing the main character, the voice of John Cusack was always in my head.
Sue – how exciting! And frankly, your book sounds so great already, what with the spirituality and theoretical physics, but when you said “John Cusack” that really sent it to the top of my wish list. I must admit to a teeny weeny crush….
That really does sound exciting. I can’t wait to hear more about it – and to read it x
Getting everything clear in your mind before the big date, sounds very sensible:-)
I can’t wait to read it!
Sounds great Sue…the repemdtive powers of baseball? Intrigued!
I am already planning to get a copy of your book. I think it sounds great and I know that I will get a thrill from saying ‘Ah yes, the Author comments on my blog!!’
John Cusack is really rather dreamy!! I’ve adored him ever since I saw the film ‘Say Anything’ *Sigh*
C x
PS. There is an award for you over at my blog!!
Sue, I look forward to reading your book. I love the picture on this post.
Thanks everyone. And hey, if anyone wants me to come talk to a book group….Israel sounds exciting. Thailand would be fabulous. Even England beyond the boundaries of the M25 would be a thrill…..