Interview with Therese Fowler

One of my favorite interview questions that I love to ask is: if you could go back and do one thing over in your career what would it be and why? Of course, the responses vary. Some authors are very comfortable with the decisions they have made while others wish they could turn back the clock and do a few things over again. How about you? Are you happy with the person you have become or would you, too, opt for a second chance?

This month’s jewel focuses on exactly that...what if. What if you could turn back the clock and right a wrong? Or more importantly, what if you knew how your life would end? Would you have lived it differently and perhaps have taken more chances? What would it take for you to start living your life as if these were your last days?

I have mentioned in previous columns the number of books that come across my desk. There are so many potentially bestselling books out there that it’s truly amazing. Of course, narrowing down the field is always a trying feat, but it’s all worthwhile when I find that diamond in the rough that has the potential to become a shining jewel. Without a doubt, Therese Fowler’s debut novel entitled SOUVENIR is my favorite selection so far this year. It’s a masterfully written and poignant story that will touch your heart like no other book you’ve ever read. Honestly, if you buy only one book this year, take my word for it. Make it SOUVENIR.

As part of this interview, Ballantine Books has generously donated five copies to give away to my readers! So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question at the end. Please go grab a cup of coffee and get to know the gifted writer, Therese Fowler.

Jen: I chuckled when I read your comment about doing things in life in the wrong order because I can totally relate. It is so true! I plan my life expecting it to unfold with precision and then opportunities have come along and changes had to be made. Please tell us a little bit about your personal and professional journey that inspired you to become an author.

Therese: First, and perhaps most importantly, I love to read. All my life, my escape of choice has been a good book whenever I could find one. I love to write, too. Even when I was very young I found real pleasure in using words—in poems, lyrics, essays, letters—to express myself. In school I excelled at language arts, earning my teachers’ praise and creating a sort of positive-feedback loop that gave me a sense of self-worth I really needed.

I was in high school before I thought of writing novels, and only as a “gee, wouldn’t it be nice if…” kind of dream. Certainly I didn’t take my interest seriously; coming from a home life where no one was willing or able to subsidize me past age eighteen, I needed practical skills that would bring me a reliable income. I took some business management courses and worked in retail off and on for about a dozen years while I was having kids and dabbling, in the most minimal sense, with writing creatively. I thought I’d make it my hobby, an endeavor that might supplement my “real” income one day.

When my first husband and I split up in 1997, the possibility of having time to write novels, even as a hobby, became more remote than ever. I took a part- time job and enrolled in college full-time. Until late 2000, the farthest I got with any attempt at a novel was to buy a few how-to-write-a-novel books and scratch out a notebook’s worth of ideas and false starts. Then, two things changed: first, I wrote a short story for a class and was told I had promise; second, when I graduated with a degree in sociology, my new husband (who I’d married the year before) encouraged me to wait on grad school and give novel- writing a shot.

It was a long shot in more ways than one; over the next five years, I wrote a novel, put it aside, enrolled in a creative writing MFA program, wrote a new novel (then re-wrote it from scratch), graduated, found an agent, wrote another novel, and voila! Overnight success.

Jen: Your first release is what I refer to as a “meaty book.” It incorporates major themes to hook your audience such as love, honor, commitment, yet at the same time, your prose is so elegant that you allow the reader to escape into the world in which you have created. How did you arrive at the premise?

Therese: If you mean how and why did I decide to combine universal themes with effective prose (thank you for “elegant!”), the first part of my answer is that I love a love story. Romantic comedy, drama, tragedy—all these forms appeal to me. Love is as universal a theme as exists. When I thought about what I wanted to write if I were fortunate enough to make a career of writing, I knew this would be my realm.

The second part of my answer: When I was earning my MFA, I studied writing craft, and I studied literature. Understanding the scope, history, and purpose of fiction gave me a way of seeing stories that I’m not sure I ever saw before. The best novels are so effectively crafted that they make us forget we’re reading and immerse us in lives that matter; and those lives matter because at one level or another we recognize ourselves in the characters’ experiences. When I understood this, I couldn’t imagine aspiring to anything less.

Jen: So often, we hear that authors have no say in the selection of the title of their book. Was this the case for you as well? Personally, I think the title SOUVENIR best encapsulates your entire theme of the novel.

Therese: Thank you! I titled the story SOUVENIR when I was about three quarters of my way through the first draft, for just the reason you say. My agent saw it the same way, as did my editor. In the early days, when the novel had just sold to Random House but hadn’t been read by the sales and marketing people, there was some talk of changing the title. After the in- house reads began, though, I didn’t hear anything more about it.

Sometimes, however, the title the author has chosen doesn’t play well. When that happens, most publishers will try to come up with something everyone can be happy with. The goal is always to find the title that will serve the book best.

Jen: A struggle many first time authors have with the writing of a novel is point of view. Whether it’s the simple task of selecting the right one or more complexly, being able to nail it so that the reader can feel a connection with the characters both of which present a challenge. I think you grabbed the bull by the horns by having three points of view, all of which were beautifully executed. Please take us through your writing process and how you determined which path to take.

Therese: I think ALL writers struggle, at least some of the time, with the matter of selecting the right point of view for a story—though some will simply choose the one they believe they’re best at, regardless of whether it’s the optimum choice for a particular story. Executing the choice, whatever it may be, is the second challenge, and the more difficult.

When I was working on my MFA, I was also a graduate Teaching Assistant to several different undergraduate lit classes. One of those was called Studies in Fiction. I sat in with the class each time it met, listening to the professor’s lectures, taking notes, doing the reading, and then periodically leading discussion groups. This is where I learned how to deconstruct a story and evaluate its parts—and how I learned to recognize what makes a story effective.

I struggle more with choosing the right POV than I do with any other element. Whose story is it? Where does the story begin? It’s hard to know these answers when you don’t know the whole story (and I never do, when I’m starting a new project). My method is to dive in with whatever my initial analysis tells me…inevitably to toss those pages and try a new approach…which may not stick either—but all the while, I’m learning the story and seeing more clearly the answers I’ll need.

With SOUVENIR, I started with Carson as my narrator, telling the story as a retrospective tale. I added Savannah’s perspective next, imagining that Meg’s would be represented solely through her journals…but eventually I determined that Meg needed to be a far more active presence—and then ultimately I saw she was the central character. I find the story by writing it, and re-writing it, and, if necessary, writing it again. It’s admittedly a strange process, and I’m certain it would make some writers crazy to do things this way, but it works for me.

Jen: Meg Hamilton, one of the main characters, lives a life that is familiar to us today. She is a successful doctor, trophy wife (if you will), and mother whose main objective is to please everyone else while losing herself in the process.

What makes her so vulnerable? And if she could turn back the clock and had the chance to do it all over again, do you think she would have made the same choices?

Therese: Like a lot of women, especially those who are put into positions of responsibility—for themselves and/or others—early in life, Meg is in the habit of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of her own. Farm life in particular encourages this kind of all-for-one, one-for-all belief system, so when she’s presented with an option that will help her family—and admittedly help herself as well, she truly feels there’s only one right choice.

Many marriages work like Meg and Brian’s does. Our society perpetuates traditional gender roles, so that even when women pursue professions, they end up managing the household too. They feel duty-bound to be good wives, good mothers, and good daughters— usually at the expense of themselves. Meg is vulnerable in part because she’s a product of a life lived according to all these expectations, and in part because she carries a heavy load of guilt.

Do I think she’d do things differently if she could? Absolutely. Experience was a powerful teacher.

Jen: Rather than having a woman scorned, you chose for a man, Carson McKay, to play that role, which I thought was a brilliant twist. What lesson is the hardest for him to learn?

Therese: Initially, Carson let pride get the better of him—because he couldn’t imagine that the break-up would be permanent. Then, when he had a window of opportunity to alter the situation, he chose to punish Meg instead. It’s understandable; he was young, male, defensive.

When he’s back in Ocala to plan his wedding and the subject comes up again, he’s still prickly. He gets his wake-up call, literally, when he later hears from Meg; fortunately he’s mature enough to face his shortcomings, rather than let pride and regret rule the rest of his life.

Jen: To complete the triangle, Meg’s daughter, Savannah, is the third main character. What relevance does she have that makes her point of view so crucial to the telling of the story?

Therese: Savannah and Meg are in many ways two sides of one coin. She’s the girl Meg might have been, if Meg had lived a life of privilege. I think it’s important to see that Savannah, who is bright and attractive and wants for nothing, is still prone to making the same sorts of naïve decisions and judgments Meg made. Young women so often see themselves as far more capable and mature than they truly are. Because they do, they tend to make poor choices with sometimes far-reaching consequences.

Savannah helps us recognize how universal the vulnerabilities are, which I think emphasizes some of the points Meg tries to make once she understands how her mother failed her, how she in turn failed Savannah—and how the hard-won knowledge, put in Savannah’s hands, might save Savannah from further mistakes. Ultimately, SOUVENIR is a story about redemption and healing.

Jen: There is so much of the novel that we can’t discuss without giving the book away, but one thing I did want to touch upon was how the story pertained to your personal experiences. How much of your life is portrayed in this book?

Therese: A very little bit of a lot of different things—that’s the short answer.

None of the characters is a fictionalized version of anyone I know, and none of the story’s events come directly from my own experiences. What I’ve done is what most authors do: I’ve used my observations and my experiences to inform the ones I’ve imagined for my characters.

Jen: When the novel was finally completed and the ink had dried, how hard was it for you to say good-bye to these characters? Did you feel as if they had become a part of you?

Therese: Well, I really can’t say I’ve said good-bye to them yet. Opportunities like this interview allow me to keep spending time with them, which is a treat. I do get very close to my characters, and I know I will eventually see a lot less of them; it’s nice that they’re always as close as the nearest copy of the book!

Jen: What was the most rewarding part of the novel for you to write…the beginning, the middle, or the end and why?

Therese: Writing the last several chapters was incredibly rewarding. I’d put my characters through so much turmoil, and while I couldn’t give them a traditional HEA (happily ever after); I knew they were getting the best possible outcomes.

Jen: What message, if any, are you sending to your readers by writing this book?

Therese: I suppose there are several, depending on one’s perspective—but primarily I want to encourage people to live their lives consciously.

Jen: So far, what has surprised you most about the publishing business?

Therese: That a nobody like me could find such an enthusiastic welcome. Starting with my agent and extending to my editors, all the assistants, the marketing and publicity and sales people, the booksellers, and especially the readers, I’ve walked into open arms.

Jen: Whose opinion do you value most when it comes to your writing and why?

Therese: It’s two people really: my fabulous agent, Wendy Sherman, who in many ways is my ideal reader and is certainly the good shepherd of my career; and my editor, Linda Marrow, who has guided so many wonderful stories and authors to great success. Linda’s author list is like a best-sellers and award-winners who’s who: Judith McNaught, Tess Gerritsen, Jonathan Kellerman, Linda Lael Miller, Jude Deveraux, Nancy Pickard, Carol Goodman…

Jen: Please tell us about your website. Do you participate in author phone chats? And if so, how would my readers go about arranging one? Do you have e-mail notification of upcoming releases? Do you blog? Any scheduled appearances and/or book signings?

Therese: My website is www.theresefowler.com; it’s a still- evolving project, but readers can find a lot of good stuff there, including how to get in touch with me. I’m scheduling book club chats (in person when possible, by phone otherwise) as time permits.

There isn’t yet a newsletter sign-up (it’s in the works); I do blog—though less frequently than usual at the moment, as I’m finishing revisions on my next novel. Right now, the blog has the most up-to-date information on my events schedule.

Jen: Are you currently at work on your next novel? And if so, what can you tell us about it?

Therese: Yes; it’s scheduled for publication in the UK late this summer, and in the US next February. The latest working title is AFTERTHOUGHTS (stay tuned on that account…) and I’ve described it this way:

On its most basic level, it’s the story of a popular TV talk show host who gets a second chance with an old flame, only to find herself falling for his son, who’s nine years her junior.

As with SOUVENIR, the new novel takes what are familiar story elements and puts them to use in a multi-layered drama about family and relationships and the naiveté of youth. You’ll see another look at questionable decisions made for what the characters believe are honorable reasons—because really, to me the most interesting stories become personal, inviting us to consider what we believe is right and wrong.

Jen: When the opportunity to read a novel as superbly written as yours comes my way, it just reaffirms why I truly love my job. Thank you for sharing this story with me. It has been such a pleasure being able to be a part of your journey.

Therese: Thank YOU, Jen!

I hope you have enjoyed my interview with Therese. If you haven’t bought your mom a gift for Mother’s Day, why not pick up a copy of SOUVENIR? I’m sure she won’t mind if you read it first! HA!!

Okay, enter my JenJewels contest and be one of five lucky winners to win a copy of SOUVENIR. Good luck!

Name two of the three main characters in SOUVENIR.

Next month, I will be bringing to you my interview with Jane K. Cleland, author of the charming cozy mystery ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR. You won’t want to miss it!

Until next time...Jen

When a twist of fate landed Jennifer at the "Reading with Ripa" roundtable discussion with Kelly Ripa and Meg Cabot, she knew that her career as a French teacher would essentially be over. Instead, she figured out a clever way to combine her love for reading and writing and "voilà" She became a book reviewer and columnist with www.freshfiction.com. On the sidelines, her parents secretly hoped that her French degree from Vanderbilt would one day come in handy and Jennifer is happy to report that the phrases ‘Je ne sais pas' and ‘C'est incroyable!' have been quite useful when reviewing certain selections! As is typical in her whirlwind life, one thing led to another and soon she found herself facilitating a popular moms' book club and writing a column she cleverly named Jen's Jewels. (Jewelry is one of her many addictions, as is the color pink and Lilly Pulitzer, which when you think about it, would probably make for a good story! Hint! Hint! ) To keep herself away from her favorite retailer, Ann Taylor, she serves on the Board of Trustees of the Harford County Public Library in Maryland. As a national trainer for The Arthritis Foundation's Aquatic and Land Exercise Classes, she is an advocate for those like herself who suffer from arthritis, the nation's #1 cause of disability. When asked how she manages to do all of these things and actually get some sleep at night, she simply replied, "It's just Par for the Course." Hmm! Now where have we heard that before?