Interview with historical fiction novelist Kate Bristow

Today’s special guest is Kate Bristow and we’re chatting about her new historical novel, Saving Madonna.

During her virtual book tour, Kate will be giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!.

Bio:
Kate Bristow was born in London. She fell in love with reading when she got her first library card at the age of four. Her first attempt at writing and publishing for a wide audience was a local newspaper typed laboriously at home on her mother’s typewriter while at primary (elementary) school in north London. It is surely a loss to cutting-edge journalism that only one issue was ever produced. Kate divides her time between her small-but-perfectly-formed modern home in Los Angeles and her five-hundred-year-old farmhouse just outside Sassocorvaro in Italy.

Welcome, Kate. Please tell us about your current release.
Saving Madonna is based on a true story about some very brave Italians who, because of their foresight and courage, were able to save thousands of priceless works of art from being destroyed or stolen during World War 2. Some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures might not be around for us all to enjoy today if it were not for their actions.

What inspired you to write this book?
I stumbled across this story many years ago while visiting the Rocca, an ancient fortress in the small Italian town of Sassocorvaro. This is one of the locations where the works of art were hidden until the fall of 1943, when the area was suddenly occupied by the Germans after Italy switched sides. I enjoy learning about little-known events in history and I thought readers would find the story inspiring. When irreplaceable icons are destroyed many of us grieve for what has taken from us. Remember how people across the world reacted when Notre Dame was burning? Imagine if thousands of renowned works of art by Raphael, Piero della Francesca, Leonardo da Vinci and others had simply vanished during the war, never to be seen again. I would find it profoundly sad if so much of Italy’s cultural heritage was gone forever. I am not sure, however, how many of us would risk our lives to save those same pieces. I wanted to tell the story from the perspective of two ordinary Italians who do just that.   

Excerpt from Saving Madonna:
“I don’t want tonight to be over!”

Elena’s younger sister, Giulia, was twirling around their bedroom in her linen nightgown, her brown hair loose around her shoulders. Elena, already tucked up in their shared bed, smiled indulgently as she watched her sister dance to some imaginary tune with an imaginary partner.

“It was a real party, wasn’t it, Elena? I wish we hadn’t left—I wanted to squeeze every last drop out of it.” She stopped dancing, her face flushed, and skipped toward the bed, launching herself onto the covers beside Elena. Giulia sat cross-legged and looked at her sister. “It’s different for you,” she said, pouting a little. “You must have had so many chances to dance in Milan. All those parties and boys! And I was just stuck here, doing nothing fun, ever. When is this stupid war going to be over?”

Elena wanted to laugh at the angry expression on Giulia’s face. Instead, she took her sister’s hands in hers. “You’re sixteen, and there’s time, I promise you. When this is all over, I’ll take you to Milan myself. You can meet all the boys—or men—you want.”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I am lucky enough to have my home in this part of Italy. I come across so many interesting stories in the towns and cities around here. At the moment I am doing some research into the life of Nicola da Urbino a celebrated ceramicist who lived and worked here in the 16^th century. I am hoping to write a mystery story featuring him—watch this space!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
As far back as I can remember I have written stories. It was my favorite part of school. I used to enter essay competitions and write my own books as a child. And of course I was—and still am—a voracious reader. I just never believed I was good enough to make a living from writing full time.

So I got a job in advertising, which involves a lot of writing, but not the kind I really wanted to do. Now that I have finally finished my first book, after decades of procrastination, I think I am finally ready to say that I am a writer. Never give up on your dreams!

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I try to write every day. I set myself a low word count and stick to it. One thing I learned early on is not to do any editing until I had completed the first draft. Editing is not writing. I waited until I typed ‘The End’, and only then did I go back and start editing. I am still working in my ‘day job’ so I have to carve out time to write. I don’t keep to a set time each day, but I do try and be consistent about doing something every day.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
The first time an editor looked at my work I discovered that I have an overreliance on commas. I love commas apparently! My tendency is to sprinkle them liberally everywhere. I am trying very hard to cure myself of that habit.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Apart from writing and reading, the other thing I loved doing as a child was acting. I attended an all-girls Catholic school and the boys’ Catholic school across the road was lucky enough to have a proper theater. They put on plays three times a year and, rather than use boys for the female roles, they used to hold open auditions for the parts. I was lucky enough to take part in several of these performances. I loved becoming other people on stage and performing for an audience. But like my writing prowess I did not think I was good enough to act for a living.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I believe the old adage that everybody has a story in them. Most of us are too afraid to write it down. This has been the most thrilling journey and I want to encourage more would-be writers to just do it. I would love to read your stories.

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