Today’s special guest is novelist Nathalie Guilbeault to chat about Inhaled, a psychological thriller.
If you’re local to Montreal, you can meet the author this coming Wednesday, June 22. Details below.
Bio:
A writer and a mother of two young adults, Nathalie Guilbeault lives in Montreal with her partner, Christian.
Holding a master’s in management sciences from Montreal’s Hautes Etudes Commerciales and certifications in both business and life coaching, Nathalie is now working on her next writing project.
Welcome, Nathalie. Please tell us about your current release.
Inhaled, 2nd edition is a novel based on a true story.
Following the implosion of her marriage and silencing her own intuition, Isabelle falls into the arms of hope; a hope she keeps weaving into a new reality, putting her life and that of her daughter’s at risk. In this psychological thriller, where sex is used both as a weapon and a cure, Guilbeault exposes with great lucidity, the dangers of becoming entangled with a person whose character is poisoned by narcissistic and sociopathic traits. It is the story of a woman’s desperate need to surrender and escape, whatever the price.
With Inhaled, the author offers a very personal interpretation of a toxic dynamic in which two worlds collide, depicting with depth and attention to the emotional distress, the traps that we ourselves willingly, at times, place in order to grow. In this romantic thriller, where sex is both used as a weapon and a cure, Nathalie exposes with great lucidity, the dangers of getting entangled with a person whose character has been poisoned by narcissistic and sociopathic traits.
What inspired you to write this book?
This updated edition of the book comes out almost four years after its initial release. I was compelled to examine what one tells oneself in order to survive the humiliation. Time, its passage, gave me perspective and made it possible to better understand why I remained within the confines of a dangerous relationship. I went back to the memoire, the 1st edition, and added more insights, I delved further and found answers as to why it happened, how. The act of rewriting did something to me; I discarded my pen name, Isabelle Duval, and emerged as myself. Writing about abuse is challenging, mostly because I expose myself, and also, the type of abuse I write about here is hidden. Would it be believed? There are no bruises, no scratches, no broken bones. It’s invisible to friends and family, and that makes you want to become invisible, too. Words were my way out.
What exciting story are you working on next?
My next project focuses on Inhaled’s two main characters, Benjamin—his life story, and Isabelle—her quest for revenge. The name of the book is Mad Honey. Set in Spain, Nicaragua, and America, the story will show how dysfunction is passed on from generation to generation, and that it knows no boundaries. It seeks to show how many shapes revenge can take, and that, more often than not, it fails us as much as it entices us.
It will published in December 2022.
I am also working on a collection of short stories around the theme of death, and its many manifestations.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably while writing my thesis, 25 years ago. Although it was kind of dry stuff, the comfort I felt, the zone I could reach while writing told me it was going to be my thing at some point.
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?
Writing is my only occupation at the moment. I usually like to hang out in cafés during the day, but most of what I consider to be my “good work” happens at night.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I have no quirks!! But maybe ask Christian…;)
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a veterinarian, that and a nurse, like my mother.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Christian and I are launching our books this Wednesday, for anyone local to Montreal. Here are the details:
Inhaled by Nathalie Guilbeault and LOVE, GUNS & GOD in America by Christian Fennell
Readings and lively Q&A: Wednesday, June 22, 7-9pm
Pub Burgundy Lion— 2496 Notre Dame O., free admission, refreshments, cash bar
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