Interview with YA author Helen Gillespie

Young adult author Helen Gillespie chats with me about her new 18+ YA novel, The Goodbyes.

During her virtual tour, Helen will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a lucky randomly drawn participant. 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:
Throughout grammar school and college, I loved developing story sketches or full stories that stayed hidden in my thoughts. That creative spark proved valuable in unexpected places, first assignment as a musician in the US Army, and after leaving the Army, when she obtained a degree in elementary education at the University of Florida. After reentering the Army in 1981, I put pen to paper, or rather, “fingers to an Olivetti.” The Army trained me in the art of journalism to serve the Army, but communicating stories in writing quickly became a personal passion. Interviewing fellow soldiers, exploring their jobs and personalities, and publishing useful information for the military community formed the basis of my skill and enjoyment. Those years of thought, training, education, and experience laid the foundation for crafting The Goodbyes.

Please tell us about your current release.
The Goodbyes is my breakout novel that tells a story that has been brewing inside me for twenty plus years. It was inspired by my own experiences and by talking to young adults who shared their experiences.

What inspired you to write this book?

The journey into adulthood isn’t easy, so I attempt to illustrate the experiences of two women as they navigate this journey with supportive adults around them.

Excerpt from The Goodbyes:
(This one of the first times Dianne and her mother, Katrina, had talked as two adults. She tells her mother about Michael following her from the department store he managed to a nearby restaurant he had suggested.)

No, it was one of those things short and not so sweet. I don’t know if I would go out with him, Mom. His talking exhausted me. I can’t imagine having enough energy to go on a date with him. He didn’t ask for my phone number, where I lived, or any other information about me. And I paid for my own dinner. No, before you ask, he didn’t offer to pay either.”

“Well, if you ever go out with him, be careful about getting serious. Your dad was somewhat like that, always talking about his stuff. It took me years to make him realize there were two of us in the family. I must admit, though, he did work at it, and things turned out fine. I can’t say the same for his two brothers. They gave their wives hell. I always felt fortunate your dad was willing to work with me, and he didn’t drink like his brothers.”

“Gosh, Mom. I thought Dad was always Mr. Agreeable, and I didn’t know that about my uncles. Why did you marry him? He wasn’t THAT good-looking, was he?”  Dianne smiled at her mother, stretching out on the large sofa, using both coats to cover herself.

“It was the thing to do, I guess. And… well… I guess… I don’t have a good answer for you. In the late sixties, women needed to get married, and I guess that was it. Well, and… I was sort of pregnant.”

“Mom? I thought… Oh, that’s right you did tell me awhile back you had a miscarriage.”

“Yes, the timing was bad, and I think God knew it. Although you were a surprise. No, you were not a surprise, you were an unexpected blessing, and believe me, dear, I was very happy to bring you into this world. I think it’s nice when people think of us as sisters. We used to be the same size, which helped the fantasy, but I shrank about half an inch. I’m down to nearly five-four,” she said.

It was easy for Dianne to believe her mother was happy to have given birth to her. She felt very loved by both her parents. As a family, they often spent time together playing games, going out, and sitting together only to talk.

“Mom, I don’t think Michael and I will date or even see each other, other than in the store. I don’t even think he wants to date. He just chased me down to sell me a mower. But you know, he is good-looking, very good-looking. And no, I’m not buying a mower from him.”

“Sweetheart, I know how things go. I won’t be around, so I’m telling you. Be careful. OK? So, what makes him so good-looking?”

What exciting project are you working on next?
I’m working on a sequel to The Goodbyes. To me, it’s exciting and I want to share every bit. However, so much of what I have planned in the sequel takes twists, turns, and offers surprises —much like this novel. The story will have scenes that may surprise the reader, unless they recognize signs of what is coming.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
The first time I went through seventh grade, I experienced my first rejection after writing a story that I had penned, “just for fun.” It was not an assignment. It was just me wanting to write something. I wrote a patriotic story about the Statue of Liberty where I personified the great lady welcoming the tired, the poor, etc. My English teacher, Mrs. Richardson accepted it but didn’t read it until I asked her about it several days after handing it to her. She handed it back to me, saying, “This is silly. The Statue of Liberty doesn’t talk.” It saddened me, but because of this memory, I encourage others of all ages and genres to write. If a Mrs. Richardson comes into their lives, then move on. Perhaps personify her as a villain.

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 consider myself a full-time writer. I’m retired from a paying job, so I have the luxury of setting my schedule. My great fault is that sitting down at a computer to write is often pushed to the side for other activities. However, I conjure stories while taking a shower, sitting on the back porch, riding in a car, or sitting in boring conversations. If the stories and beginnings of poems and songs make it to the computer, then they are worth keeping.

Regarding The Goodbyes, I had those characters and activities in my head for over 20 years, living rent-free. In return, all they had to do was to tell me what they were planning to do next, so finally I’m sharing. Characters have already begun prodding me to write what’s ahead.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t know if it’s a quirk, a benefit, or “just is.” I like to interject humor into most scenes, whether it makes sense or not. Sometimes I leave it in.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a junior high school band director, or perhaps a composer. I still greatly admire those folks, but I guess I did not have the “right stuff.” When it comes to careers, I’ve been all over the map. I guess that’s how some folks become writers.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Write! Write for yourself, not others. If a story comes along that you want to share, share it. It is never too early or too late to begin.

Links:
Website in Progress | Facebook | Instagram | Amazon

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