Nonfiction writer Elle Mott is chatting with me about her historical biography, Marie Conner, A Leading Lady: Her Life and Civic Leadership in a Bygone Era.
Elle is currently doing a virtual book tour with WOW! Women on Writing. Her full calendar is below – feel free to visit her other stops for giveaways and more.
Bio:
Elle Mott writes creative nonfiction. This is her third book. She is the author of Out of Chaos: A Memoir and People Helping People. Her other writing pieces have been featured in literary journals, news magazines, and anthologies. She has a background working in libraries, both at the college level and, for more than ten years, at the public library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While library work is her livelihood, writing is her passion. Elle grew up in Oregon and now makes her home in the suburbs of northern Kentucky with two cats and several pet birds.
Welcome, Elle. Please tell us about your current release.
Marie Conner, A Leading Lady: Her Life and Civic Leadership in a Bygone Era is an informative, thoroughly researched true story that opens the reader’s eyes to twentieth-century America, and the hardships women faced. In it, Marie overcomes her challenges to help others, changing her community for the better and forevermore.
Synopsis/back cover blurb:
Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.
In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.
Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father’s acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father’s praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more.
What inspired you to write this book?
My inspiration for this book came from Marie, herself, and sprung out of my first book, my memoir. While Marie had longed for her father’s praise, she also had high hopes for me.
I had been on the verge of adulthood, and she, much older, when she had imparted words of wisdom to me. Yet my life took a wrong turn and then saved only by the remembrance of her to gain strength to make a positive difference in my life, and out of that came my published memoir, “Out of Chaos.”She was long gone and yet I needed to know why she was at the heart of my memoir. Marie, who was once my matriarch, then served as a great muse for me as I researched to peel back the layers of a woman, who, as I came to find out, had lived a truly remarkable life, inspiring others. As in awe as I was, I knew I had to share her story.
Excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady:
Chapter 8“To Follow Life’s Lead”
Marie stood poised and sported a houndstooth dress with an ascot scarf that flowed and dropped perfectly just below her neckline. Her polite smile, accentuated by red lipstick with rounded corners, conveyed a benevolent charm as she welcomed guests to a teacher’s reception on Thursday evening, September 16. Parents and PTA members showed up in a record-breaking attendance to meet sixty-three teachers in the south wing of Lebanon High School. Parents were handed name tags to pin on their suit jackets, and teachers wore corsages.
Marie greeted each person as they walked in, and the total in attendance numbered more than two hundred. Once everyone was seated comfortably in the high school’s Little Theater, Marie stepped up to the podium and introduced herself as the 1948—49 PTA president. Her attentive audience listened as she next introduced the superintendent of the Lebanon schools, Mr. James King.
Mr. King’s speech emphasized the student population growth. They now had 950 grade school students, up from the previous year’s 622. The high school was no exception in that it had increased to 1,620 students. He also gave mention to Green Acres School, which would soon open. With an expressed appreciation for all that the PTA was doing, Mr. King recognized that they had their hands full. In all plausibility, Marie held her head high and nodded with a can-do-attitude.
It was a tall order, but she had successfully led a Red Cross fund drive as residential chairman and had managed the unit’s finances with the American Legion. She was accustomed to organizing events and assuming responsibilities. She knew that this PTA presidential term would experience many firsts in their membership pool. They now had room mother presidents not only in the two grade schools but also in the high school, along with a greater number of committees and chairman positions. And, as Mr. King had said, another grade school would open later that school year, which meant even more room mothers for Marie and her officers to lead. She knew she could lead the PTA. If only her father could also have known that.
What exciting project are you working on next?
I have ideas springboarding out of this historical biography for my next project but have yet to work through any. Rather, my focus at this very time is to be with you as you come to meet this trailblazing woman, Marie Conner.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Essentially, it was when people told me to write my story and then I took the action step to pick up pen and paper and start writing. From that, my first book, my memoir was born. I continued writing, if only to bring you this book: Marie Conner, A Leading Lady.
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?
It is common to find me with pen and paper in hand when on my breaks at my full time job in the basement of a downtown big city public library. I earn my living here and have for more than ten years (if you read my memoir, you’ll know this is remarkable). My roles here have shifted over the years, currently serving as your Resource Sharing Adviser. If our library doesn’t have a book that you want, then it is my job to find it somewhere in our state and then get it to you. Come weekend mornings, it is out of passion that my job as an author is to bring you the next great book to read, and that is currently Marie Conner, A Leading Lady. I can’t wait for you to read it!
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I need my pet birds to cheer me on with their tweets and chirps, however quirky that may be. Often times, my older cat sits to my left on her perch, window side to watch outdoor birds, while my younger cat sits on the rug in front of us, her tail wagging in tune to the family of finches who fly merrily in their aviary. Any breakthrough in my writing earns an extra tweet and wag.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I recall my childhood days in which I was amazed by the stories that my matriarch’s scrapbooks held, running my fingers over brittle newspaper clippings, dog-eared program brochures, and used ticket stubs. She pointed to pictures of herself in formal dress suits and long pretty gowns and she did so with expectations for me. In our shared moments, I wanted to grow up to be just like her. Rather, in my own older adulthood, and without her scrapbooks other than in my memories, I have written her story—Marie’s story, sharing with you the events that these brochures and ticket stubs came from.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I would love to hear your feedback! When you’re finished reading this book, Marie Conner, A Leading Lady please leave a review—even just a few words of what you thought of it—this can be where you purchased it and in anyplace that you hang out, online or in person. Reviews help small-press publishers and also guide other readers in choosing their next book.
Links:
Website | Amazon | LinkedIn | Facebook | AllAuthor | Kofi
Blog Tour Calendar
February 9 @ The Muffin
Join us at WOW as we celebrate the launch of Elle Mott’s nonfiction historical biography, Marie Conner, A Leading Lady. We interview the author and give you the chance to win a cherry blossom gift set, including a copy of the book. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
February 10 @ Boys’ Mom Reads!
Karen features Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott in a spotlight.https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
February 11 HERE!
February 12 @ World of My Imagination
Nicole reviews Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. https://worldofmyimagination.com/my-blog/
February 14 @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Stop by Linda’s blog for an interview with Elle Mott, author of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady. https://bootsshoesandfashion.com
February 15 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Stop by Joy’s blog for her feature of an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
February 17 @ StoreyBook Reviews
Leslie will be featuring an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. https://storeybookreviews.com
February 18 @ The Faerie Review
Stop by Lily’s blog for a spotlight of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. https://www.thefaeriereview.com
February 19 @ Words by Webb
Stop by Jodi’s blog for her review of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
February 21 @ Sarandipity’s Blog
Join Sara for her interview with Elle Mott, author of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady. https://sarandipitys.com
February 23 @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdre’s blog for her spotlight of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. https://www.astorybookworld.com/
February 25 @ CC King’s blog
Check out Catrin’s blog for an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. https://www.caitrincking.com/blog
February 26 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi’s blog for her response to our tour-themed prompt on her experience giving back to her community. https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
February 27 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie’s blog for her interview with Elle Mott, author of Marie Conner, A Leading Lady. https://chapterbreak.net/
March 2 @ Just Katherine
Katherine will share an excerpt from Marie Conner, A Leading Lady by Elle Mott. She’ll also share her response to our tour-themed prompt about a strong maternal figure for her when growing up. https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
It’s launch day! And with that, I’m happy to be here, Lisa. Thank you all for being with me in this tour of celebration as I bring this book to you. I hope to see many of you in the comment section here.