Guest Post & Giveaway: Katharine Davis, author of A Slender Thread
Please welcome Katharine Davis, author of a new novel, A Slender Thread!
The recent winner of the 2010 Maine Literary Award for Fiction for her previous novel, East Hope, acclaimed author Katharine Davis has a new book out this August about learning how to find your way later in life: A Slender Thread (NAL Accent Trade Paperback; August 3, 2010).
by Katharine Davis
I am definitely a late bloomer, having postponed my writing career until the age of fifty. I’ve always been a huge reader and writers are the rock stars of my world. When my children were launched, and I stepped away from my teaching job, I asked myself: if not now, when? I began to write fiction and discovered that I loved writing novels.
First-time novelists often write a coming of age story – the drama of growing up, leaving home, and dealing with the conflicts of the adult world. Most first time novelists are in their twenties or thirties. They tend to look for stories within themselves.
Instead, my novels focus on the challenges one encounters at mid-life. Capturing Paris, my first novel, was the story of a woman coming into her own as a poet in her late forties, while her husband has lost his job, which puts their marriage into conflict. Two characters at mid-life move to Maine to try to reinvent themselves and find happiness in my second novel, East Hope. Their lives have been set off course because of an unexpected death, a failed marriage, and a ruined career.
Sometimes the troubles that come along in mid-life are tragic. Try to imagine eight women around a table in a museum restaurant talking about a photography exhibit. The women, most of them in their fifties, well dressed and accomplished, are enjoying themselves. They comment enthusiastically on art, current events, books, movies, and their own families.
Yet, one woman says nothing at all. She is visiting from the West Coast and she is the college roommate of one of the guests. She looks no different from the women around her. She has a loving husband, has raised two children, and has had a successful career in real estate.
Except, unlike the other women at the luncheon, this woman has a rare brain disease. Her name is Anna and she can no longer speak. When it is time to order lunch the woman next to Anna asks her if she would like the chicken salad. Anna nods in agreement. She still understands language, but eventually, as her disease progresses she will lose her ability to comprehend anything at all.
Two years ago I was a guest at that luncheon. I met Anna, a woman very much like me, but a woman whose life had begun to unravel in a way she never expected. I was writing another novel at the time, but every day when I sat at my computer to work, I kept thinking of Anna. I tried to imagine what this tragedy was like for her husband, for her children, and for the many friends who loved her. Here was a vibrant woman in her prime who could not utter a word.
[amazonify]0451230108[/amazonify]I didn’t want to tell Anna’s personal story. I don’t know her family, or even her last name. Instead, I began writing a new novel, and A Slender Thread was born. It is the story of two sisters, the elder of whom is diagnosed with the same disease, Primary Progressive Aphasia.
How do we find the strength to cope in the face of adversity? How do we start over at mid-life? Are we capable of change? Do we ever truly leave the past behind? How do we communicate? Are words enough? Is love enough? These were the questions I asked myself while writing A Slender Thread. Over the next year that chance meeting became a novel.
One warm afternoon last spring I found myself thinking about a summer I had spent in Florence, Italy when I was twenty-one years old. I stayed at a small hotel, more of a bed and breakfast, and I remembered the Italian woman who cooked and served the lunch there. I also had the vague recollection of a very old English woman who lived in a shabby room on the top floor with her ancient husband. I knew immediately I had the germ of a novel. I can picture three women in Florence, three different nationalities, three different ages, but all living together in the same little inn. Why are they there? What do they fear? What do they hope for? The questions keep coming and the scenes are already forming in my head. Maybe I have a coming of age novel after all? But memory being what it is, I think I need to travel to Florence for some necessary research!
Giveaway:
I have 2 copies of A Slender Thread to giveaway, courtesy of the publisher!
Mandatory entry: Please comment on this post with and tell me something you enjoyed about this guest post.
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This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on August 30th.
Giveaway copies were provided free of any obligation by NAL Trade. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.
Category: Guest Posts, Literature & Fiction
It’s the best time to make a few plans for the long run and it’s time to be happy. I have read this put up and if I may just I desire to suggest you some attention-grabbing issues or tips. Perhaps you could write subsequent articles relating to this article. I want to learn even more things about it!
I had a brain tumor so I am always interested in reading about how others deal with thier diseases particulary brain disorders.
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I loved when she said writers are the rock stars of my world, because I feel the same way. I always write an author when I loved one of their books and I’ve gotten to know a few too.
I like how the author tries to put herself in the character’s situation. To try to get HER perspective of life. Sounds very interesting.
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As we get older we have important issues that we have to deal with including our health. From what I read here I belive Katharine has given us a great book with the opportunity to look deep inside us and ask, “What would I do if this happened to me or a love one”? How would I face this on a day to day basis?
This sounds like a great book and I would love to win.
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Sounds like a very touching story. I would enjoy reading this book. Please enter me. Thanks!
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I very much want to read this book. I loved the guest post from Katharine Davis and am anxious to read her books. Thank you for this terrific giveaway!
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The post was very thought provoking.
[...] A Slender Thread by Katharine Davis, ends on August 30th [...]
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I enjoyed reading about the basis of this story and it sounds like a touching and interesting take on a different kind of coming of age story. I’d love to read it. Thanks.
I also entered the giveaway for Waxed.
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I love that the author is taking on storues having to do with middle age rather than coming of age.
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I loved reading about where she got the inspiration for the story.
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I think it’s wonderful that she’s shedding light on this disorder. I had never heard of it before. I’d love to read this.
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I like the fact that Davis focuses on mid-life problems instead of the generic growing up problems.
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Anna’s story was so sad! The book sounds fascinating though. And, the book cover is so darn pretty!
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I forgot to mention that I found it interesting that the author hasn’t started her writing career until the age of fifty.
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I’ve never heard of this kind of disease. The story is very sad. I will probably cry reading this book, but I still want to read it.
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I love how this Author seems like she cares
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I love the setting of Florence, as so often it is Rome or Venice that an author using an Italian setting selects. I adored Florence and would love to read a novel where the author could lead me through its beautiful streets again.
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I have never heard about this disease, and would be interesting in learning more. Fascinating how the author got the idea for the book. Also interesting how she started her writing career a little later in life.
In her writing process I think the author makes important points as she starts a story, such as asking do we ever leave the past behind.
I entered the Don’t Call me Maam.
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I like that the author is a late bloomer writer.
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i liked hearing how the author came up with the idea behind the novel.
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I found it really interesting that the author was inspired to write this by having met someone with this affliction.
Thanks for the give away!
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Because I am getting older I realize that many of my friends & family are starting to experience age-related illnesses. I guess it goes with the territory.
Even though it sounds like a tear jerker I would love to read this.
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What I liked best? Two things:
That the author didn’t start writing until she’d quit teaching/later in life
and That the story was inspired by a chance meeting.
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I am a follower. Please enter me in contest. Great interview. Sounds like a good book. Tore923@aol.com
No need to enter me, Vera. I’m dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I’ve got this posted at Win a Book for you.
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[...] the author is Katharine Davis, whose new book A Slender Thread is the subject of the day — as is the way in which Ms. Davis’ age affected the story she had to tell. This is [...]
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i’m very interested in this subject…thanks for the chance to read this book
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This sounds like it is going to be a tear jerker!
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It sounds like a very powerful story! I would love to read it!
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Please include me in the giveaway. This sounds like a good book. Three different women whose lives will intersect with each other. Hope I win this one. I need a book with a good story. Thank you.
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I like the authors inspirational story!
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I love the inspiration for this story!
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It’s great having midlife stories instead of twenty-somethings for us older people. We can relate more. I liked learning the back story to this book.
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I love knowing how an author got the idea for a story, so that was the coolest thing for me about this guest post!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Pamela Keener, Vera @ LuxuryReading. Vera @ LuxuryReading said: Guest Post & Giveaway: Katharine Davis, author of A Slender Thread: Please welcome Katharine Davis, … http://bit.ly/apTP7B #luxuryreading [...]
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Thank you for the insights that you shared in writing this book. I also love your thoughts on the book about the three women of various ages living in an inn. I would love to read that book too.
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I was in my local Borders on Wednesday and almost picked this book up but stopped myself since my TBR pile is tumbling. I would love to win this giveaway.
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I really liked how she explained where she got the idea for her story from. How sad.
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