Interview with writer Rhiannon Gelston

Welcome, readers. Today’s special author guest is Rhiannon Gelston to chat with me about her new ‘memoir with a twist’, Lark and the Loon.

During her virtual book tour, Rhiannon has tour-wide giveaways through May 3rd. She will be giving away a $25 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of Lark and the Loon to a randomly drawn 1st place prize winner; a signed copy of Lark and the Loon (US resident only) to a 2nd place prize winner; and two 3rd place prize winners will receive an e-copy of Lark and the Loon. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below.

Bio:
Rhiannon Gelston likes to lose herself in all things creative. She enjoys writing, painting, live music, traveling, sports, being outdoors, exploring, playing, spirituality, and energy work. She has a BA in English and a MS in occupational therapy with a pediatric focus. Rhiannon lives in Annapolis, Maryland with her husband, their five lovely and lively children and their black Labrador where they enjoy time with family and friends in, on, and around the Chesapeake Bay.

Welcome, Rhiannon. Please tell us about your current release.
It is a memoir with a transcendental fictional twist called Lark and the Loon. The novel follows the adventures of a tentative boy named Lark, as he is catapulted out of all that he knows, into a courageous journey beyond his wildest imagination. Lark embarks on a reflective journey of self-discovery and enlightenment as the story innovatively weaves the true-life memoir of his mother (me, the author) in with a fantastical adventure. Lark is taken on a modern-day (and less grumpy) Scrooge-like journey to the past, to gain necessary lessons for the future in hope of finding his way home and, ultimately, to find himself. He travels through life and death moments, and simple moments, everywhere from wild Africa to his very own living room. The story explores friendships, philosophies, and every day challenges and joys, both from a child’s perspective and from a parent’s perspective. The result is a coming of age story that ultimately leads to a new understanding of self, others, and the world that surrounds him as Lark overcomes challenges, becoming more aware of the need, and the power, of adventure, kindness, and mindfulness in the world today.

What inspired you to write this book?
There were a number of different things that inspired me to write Lark and the Loon. The simple answer is I got a new computer for Christmas and my son was about to turn ten, my youngest was in kindergarten, and I felt like it was finally time to take the time to do something creative, because time was flying by. My husband and I had been through some hard things and, in some ways, that changed the trajectory of our life. We now really try to soak in the moments and gain the lessons from each and every experience. While thinking of my son turning ten, I thought it would be great if our kids could have these lessons that we have learned now, while they were still young, and incorporate them into their heart and soul now as they grow. Perspective changes everything. So, I started out writing a book geared toward my children, but within a few pages, I decided that I wanted to really re-visit some of the lessons at the core. That is when it quickly morphed into a memoir. It really was such a cathartic experience writing about these memories, I think it was something that I just needed to do. These experiences taught me to live life fully, and live it out loud, soaking it all in, as much as possible and that is something I wanted to share.

Excerpt from Lark and the Loon:
Mommy would not give up hope, would not give up the fight, and she prayed Maisy would not either. More doctors were trying to get in by her bedside to help Maisy, and Mommy had to step aside. She moved near the foot of the bed, where Daddy was standing, and where the doctor in charge continued to rock back and forth on his feet, his finger to his lips, as if contemplating a fine piece of art, and he was, for Maisy was a masterpiece. She was their masterpiece.

Things were not going well. “We are losing her!”

Mommy’s heart lurched. Those four words surrounded Mommy’s soul and hope and heart and started to strangle them in darkness. Those words would haunt her in the moments, months, and years to come, but Mommy would not let all hope succumb to these four words without a fight, and Maisy was in the fight of her life. Maisy was in a fight for her life, again.

Lark wanted to escape, but he had no choice but to continue on in this moment. Mommy’s heavy heart was pounding; there were salty tears that she tried to stuff back inside. She needed to be strong so her daughter could be strong and get through this. Medical terms. Dials adjusted. Nothing seemed to be helping.

“We are losing her!”

Those words ricocheted throughout Mommy, piercing her inside like a knife. Mommy and Daddy stood watching helplessly. Mommy felt her knees buckling and her head getting faint. She felt as if her soul might spill out all over the shiny hospital floor. She was folding over with devastating grief and fear, from the core of her essence, and the only thing holding her up was the strength of Daddy’s hand.

So, this is what it feels like to lose your child. This unwelcome thought came barreling through, though Mommy tried to reject it. It came through anyway, and Mommy was forced to surrender to the possibility of the truth in this thought, and she braced herself. She thought about all those in the world who had lost a child before them, and she felt deep pain in her heart for their loss, too, for she was now aware of what it feels like to be losing your child. She felt surreal sorrow as her mind wandered in this excruciating thought. Mommy braced herself, held onto Daddy’s hand, and watched helplessly as Maisy’s grasp loosened on that thin, fraying thread as it blew wildly in this incessant gust of chaos.

Maisy was slipping away, and there was nothing that she, or anyone else, seemed to be able to do about it. There was nothing to do but pray. Mommy prayed and knew now, no matter what the outcome, that Maisy would, one way or another, be okay. She also knew that this too shall pass. This moment would pass.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I am a little all over the map in what I am writing next, but hoping it will come together in some cohesive fashion! I am working on a children’s book in which I incorporate some of the important life lessons in Lark and the Loon into a picture book. Honestly, I don’t know about the process yet, but I would also love the opportunity to be the illustrator for that book as well. I know I would need to learn quite a bit about how to make this all happen, so we shall see! I am still writing bits and pieces of experiences and observations and lessons learned from my life, as I have more I would love to tell that I didn’t fit into Lark and the Loon. I think if I were to get those together in something to publish, it may be more a matter of a compilation of personal essays that are able to stand on their own. I found it rather hard to have anyone even take a look at my manuscript initially, since it was more than one genre. I thought the approach of having the different life experiences woven into the fictional piece was innovative and unique but not everyone on the publishing end was comfortable with pushing the boundaries like that. I have never been afraid to color a bit outside the lines so was glad I found a publisher that was up for that as well!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
It is funny actually, when I think back to when I was in school to become an occupational therapist (OT), I remember discussing some assignment I had done for one of my classes with my professor. It was a rather unique project from the rest, involving essentially a book report on a novel in which something OT related had happened, some injury or illness, some challenge….I can’t even recall now it was so long ago! Anyway, I remember my professor was very pleased with what I had written and was talking to me about how others in the class had such a hard time with the assignment, and I remember her stating, “but you are a writer…” It is one of those random memories I have that just sticks out – it struck me. I remember thinking it was an interesting statement as I was in a three year master’s program to become an OT. Shouldn’t she be saying I was an OT, not a writer? At that point in the program, it was also really the only writing, in that kind of format, I had done for OT, besides my essay to get into the program. I never asked her why she thought of me as a writer…I kind of wish I did. In a weird way though, I think that planted the seed for me a bit. Someone viewed me as a writer, even if I did not. I was an English major in undergrad, and learned the skill of churning out writing assignments in mass amounts, often in the last moments before they were due with my inefficient process of procrastination and distraction back in those days. As a pediatric OT, in my reports, I always made sure they were user-friendly, with technical terms explained, with examples and details so that every person reading it, from the various experts in various fields involved, to the parents of the child the report was about, would all be on the same page in understanding it, no matter what their background and knowledge. It is all writing and I was doing it, but I didn’t really think of myself as a writer back then either. I have never been caught up in labels and titles and think we wear many hats, but it was interesting now that I think back to my OT professor calling me a writer – having someone else state I was something that I hadn’t really stated to myself. I have always enjoyed writing, so I suppose, if you are doing something you enjoy, to the point where it just kind of flows, well then I think maybe that defines whether or not that is a hat that you wear. Becoming published is a nice affirmation but, as with any art form, I think it is something that you just know inside yourself, whether it is labeled or not, but risking putting it out there does make if feel a bit more official. Although, I am questioning myself being a writer in this babbling paragraph right now, as I am not sure I am explaining it in any coherent way! Long story longer, I guess I just always knew, and it came out in various ways, but until recently I think I hadn’t considered myself as a writer… it was just something I liked to do. I was a writer without the label. I still put down that I am a stay-at-home mom when listing my occupation on forms. I think I still just think of writing as something I like to do, like skiing, or painting, or rearranging my furniture! I just happened to have a book published but, even if I hadn’t, it wouldn’t have changed whether I was a writer or not, it just may have changed whether others (and perhaps myself) labeled me as such.

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I do not write full time. My husband and I have five children and, for now, being a stay-at-home mom is my main full-time gig. So, for any other mom out there, whether you are juggling it on top of a full-time paid job or not, you know being a mom entails being an uber driver, chef, house-cleaner, artist, teacher, spiritual guide, cheerleader, event planner, personal assistant…you know, the list goes on! As far as writing, honestly, if I broke it all down as to how many hours I have dedicated to writing – I think quite a lot, it probably has equated to “full-time” at times. When I was writing Lark and the Loon, I squeezed writing into the wee hours, in the very early mornings while it was still dark and quiet, and late in the evenings, long after everyone was tucked in for the night. It then trickled into the waking hours as well, once I was working with the publisher, from the edits, to all of the various behind the scene happenings that have had to happen…and even now, just trying to get the book out there so others can enjoy it (a bit of a challenge amidst a pandemic), well it takes quite a lot of time and energy. It is something I need to do but, with the past year being so Covid-chaotic and our schedule in constant flux, I probably should designate a set time for writing, so it has a more defined start and stop time. As far as other writing, I write for Annapolis Discovered, a lifestyle city guide for Annapolis, Maryland, where I live, comprised of a variety of blogs. I have a variety of other professional and personal endeavors. I have had my art sold in our local pop-up shop featuring local artists. I am a Reiki Master and hope to share that with others in some way some day. I will always be an occupational therapist, even if my children are the only recipients of that skill-set at this time. I am just starting to sell clean-crafted wine with one of my best college girlfriends. I have a couple other endeavors I would love to do, or am presently working on, but at the heart of it all, my roles in my family and friendships are what define me most and are closest to my heart.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I actually wasn’t intending to try and get the book published initially. It was going to be a book for my kids someday. However, the more I wrote, it became such a rewarding and therapeutic endeavor, almost spiritual, that I started to think perhaps others, beyond our family, might benefit vicariously through the lessons that we learned. I think my intention initially not being tied to getting it published helped me in some way. I wanted to tell a story and I wanted it to be really driven by what felt authentic. I was enjoying the process along the way, rather than focusing on where it would land. That is actually one of the main premises of the book and I think that will continue to be my driving force in writing. I knew the people that I was writing it for would end up with it in their hands one day. I still hope that is the case, it is just now I feel I was writing if for many more people beyond just my family and hope that anyone that it may touch, is able to have the opportunity to read it. I sat down to write it and it just flowed. I didn’t even have a plan as I wrote. I just did it. That’s probably not the norm, I would imagine, but it worked for me and I think, since it did, I will probably stick with this approach.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an artist and a mom. Those were my two constants. I also wanted to be the owner of a real monkey. Now I have five little monkeys, but they came in the form of children, so I feel pretty accomplished!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Choose adventure and enjoy the ride. From the bottom of my heart, I hope Lark and the Loon brings you joy and connects with you on some level. Thank you.

Links:
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Buy pages:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | WiDo Publishing

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