Interview with writer Madeline Sharples

Novelist Madeline Sharples is chatting with me today about her new historical fiction with immigration and feminist/romance themes, Papa’s Shoes.

Welcome, Madeline. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in the Chicago area and fell in love with writing in middle and high school. I attended the University of Wisconsin as a journalism major, but transferred to UCLA my senior year attaining a degree in English.

I worked in the aerospace business (TRW and Northrop Grumman) as a technical writer and editor, web content writer, and proposal manager for almost thirty years. I also worked for non-profits as a development director, managing capital campaigns, and writing grant proposals.

I finally fulfilled my dream to work as a creative writer and journalist late in life. After many classes and workshops, my memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On: A Mother’s Memoir of Living with Her Son’s Bipolar Disorder and Surviving His Suicide, was released in 2011 (Dream of Things).

I co-authored Blue-Collar Women: Trailblazing Women Take on Men-Only Jobs (New Horizon Press, 1994), co-edited the poetry anthology, The Great American Poetry Show, Volumes 1, 2 and 3, and wrote the poems for The Emerging Goddess photography book (Paul Blieden, photographer). My poems have also appeared online and in print magazines.

My articles have appeared in the Huffington Post, Naturally Savvy, Aging Bodies, PsychAlive, Story Circle Network’s HerStories and One Woman’s Day blogs, and the Memoir Network blog. I have appeared on panels at writers’ conferences and have spoken about and read my work at book clubs, book stores, libraries, churches, writing groups, and on the radio. I also post about writing on my website Choices and host authors on my website who are marketing their books through the WOW! Women on Writing virtual book tours.

I am proud to add that my memoir Leaving the Hall Light On was on a list compiled by Erin Burba of BookRiot of the 100 Must-Read Biographies and Memoirs of Remarkable Women. This list included memoirs written by Mary Karr, Joan Didion, Cheryl Strayed, Sonia Sotomayor, Madeleine Albright, Maya Angelou, Anais Nin, Malala Yousafzai, Patti Smith, Katharine Graham, Nora Ephron, and many more.

Please tell us about your current release.

Papa’s Shoes, is a work of fiction about immigration with a feminist and historical bent. At 99,968 words, Papa’s Shoes is a stand-alone novel with series potential.

Ira Schuman is determined to move his family out of their Polish shtetl to the hope and opportunities he’s heard about in America. But along the way he faces the death of three of his four sons, a wife who does not have the same aspirations as his, and the birth of a daughter, Ava, conceived to make up for the loss of his boys. Ava grows up to be smart, beautiful, and very independent.

Besides having a feisty relationship with her overly-protective mother, Ava falls for the college man who directs her high school senior class play. With the news that she wants to marry a non-Jewish man, Ira realizes that his plan to assimilate in the new world has backfired. Should the young couple marry, he must decide whether to banish his daughter from his family or welcome them with open arms. Even though he won’t attend their wedding, he makes her a pair a wedding shoes. In his mind, the shoes are simply a gift, not a peace offering.

What inspired you to write this book?

While my husband was writing our family histories some twenty-five years ago, he interviewed some of the elders in our family and collected other writings. I became very intrigued with what my aunt – my father’s sister – wrote when she was well into her eighties. That she wrote a whole page describing her friendship – as she called it – while a senior in high school with a young gentile teacher. He regularly picked her up at her family home and take her to school plays and concerts and then out for tea afterward. She also wrote that her brother (my father) objected so strongly that he got the family to move to Chicago to get her away from this gentile man. That she remembered his name and could describe his looks and the way he dressed after 64 years made me think she must have still carried a torch for him. While in real life she met and married a Mr. Milk Toast, had two children, and lived the rest of her life in Chicago, I decided to let her have her true love in my story.

The lives of my grandparents, father, and aunt also inspired my story. However, my idea took the story in Papa’s Shoes far afield from how they actually lived their lives.

Please click here to have an opportunity to read a sample of Papa’s Shoes.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am working on another memoir about aging. I’m a year away from turning eighty, so I thought I’d write about how it feels and looks, what my life is like at this point, regrets, and what I do to live healthy at my age.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I considered myself a writer when I worked on feature stories for my high school newspaper. I also was considered a technical writer and editor at the day job I had in the aerospace industry for over thirty years. Now I consider myself a creative writer and poet, work I turned to very late in life.

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 write every day of the week; However, I work on particular writing projects only during the work week. I always start my day working out, then breakfast, then a shower and getting dressed. Then I go to my home office and stay there for three to four hours. Right now, I’m working on a new memoir. I also write at least one poem a week, one blog post a week, a small two to three-line piece that I post on a Facebook page devoted to “small stones” every day, and a journal entry every day. My goal for my memoir writing is one thousand words a day. My journal entries are usually five hundred words.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I don’t eat or drink or listen to music while I write. And I usually stay in that chair without a break until I’m finished for the day. When my husband wants to talk to me, he stands at the open door of my office and says: “knock, knock.” He doesn’t want to interrupt me but of course he does. If the door is closed, he doesn’t disturb me.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a writer as far back as seventh grade. In high school I decided I wanted to be a journalist. However, I grew up at the wrong time. Women were few and far between in the late 1950s and early 1960s in those fields.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I thank you for agreeing to host me and give me these very good interview questions.

Links:

My website/blog | My Facebook page1 | My Facebook page2 | My Facebook timeline | My Twitter page | My Pinterest page | Independent Author Network | LinkedIn | Goodreads | Amazon | You Tube | Google+

Thanks for stopping by today!

Readers, feel free to visit any of Madeline's other tour stops to learn more.

June 4th @ Coffee with Lacey

The lovely Lacey reviews "Papa's Shoes" by Madeline Sharples and shares her review with readers at Coffee with Lacey. This is a blog stop and review readers won't want to miss!

https://coffeewithlacey.com/

June 5th @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews

Lisa Haselton interviews well known author and memoirist Madeline Sharples about her latest novel "Papa's Shoes" - the story of a Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America. This insightful interview is one you won't want to miss!

http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

June 6th @ Beverley A. Baird

Beverley A. Baird shares her thoughts after reading the touching story of a Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America - "Papa's Shoes" by Madeline Sharples is a book that is sure to please readers!

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/

June 7th @ Linda Neas

Today's guest author at Words from the Heart with Linda Neas is none other than well-known author and memoirist Madeline Sharples. Today, her guest post is titled "How I reinvented myself from a technical writer and editor to a creative writer – and at my 

age." Heart from Madeline and learn more about her latest novel "Papa's Shoes"! 

https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/

June 12th @ Linda Neas

Last week, readers at Words from the Heart with Linda Neas read a guest post penned by Author Madeline Sharples and today, Linda will share her review of Madeline's latest novel "Papa's Shoes". This is a blog stop you won't want to bypass!

https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/

June 18th @ Selling Books with Cathy Stucker

Cathy Stucker interviews Madeline Sharples at Selling Books. Readers will flock to learn more about Sharples and her latest novel "Papa's Shoes".

https://www.sellingbooks.com/

June 26th @ Linda Appleman Shapiro

Fellow author and memoirist Linda Appleman Shapiro shares her review of "Papa's Shoes" by Madeline Sharples. Don't miss Linda's insight into this touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they move to America!

http://applemanshapiro.com/category/book-reviews/

June 27th @ World of My Imagination

Nicole Pyles reviews the latest best selling novel "Papa's Shoes" by Madeline Sharples - readers will delight to hear what Nicole thinks of this crowd pleasing story of one Polish shoemaker and his family!

https://theworldofmyimagination.blogspot.com/

June 28th @ Deal Sharing Aunt / Vicki Brinius

Vicky Brinius reviews "Papa's Shoes" by Madeline Sharples. Find out how she feels after reading this touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America.

http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/

July 2nd @Author Anthony Avina

Fellow author Anthony Avina reviews "Papa's Shoes" by Madeline Sharples - this is a touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settled in America.

https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

July 2nd @ Amanda Sanders

Amanda of Amanda Diaries reviews Madeline Sharples latest novel "Papa's Shoes" - read Amanda's review and add this lovely story to your TBR pile today!

https://amandadiaries.com/

July 4th @ Author Anthony Avina 

Readers at Anthony Avina's blog will delight with today's guest post and author interview with Madeline Sharples - learn more about her and her latest work!

https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/

July 5th @ Lisa Buske

Lisa Buske shares her review of "Papa's Shoes" - the latest novel by Madeline Sharples and a touching story of one Polish shoemaker and his family as they settle in America.

https://www.lisambuske.com/

August 12th @ Kathleen Pooler’s Memoir Writer’s Journey

Readers and writers alike will want to stop by Memoir Writer’s Journey to hear from Kathleen Pooler and friend / fellow author Madeline Sharples as they discuss Madeline’s latest book “Papa’s Shoes”.

https://krpooler.com/

Interview with novelist Karen J. Hicks

I have Karen J. Hicks here today to talk about her new novel The Coming Woman. 

The Coming Woman is a novel based on the life of feminist Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for U.S. President, 50 years before women could even vote!

Bio:

Karen J. Hicks is retired and lives in Henderson, Nevada. She recently published her second novel, The Coming Woman, based on the life of the infamous feminist Victoria C. Woodhull, who was the first woman to run for U.S. President. Her first book was a self-help book titled The Tao of an Uncluttered Life. Karen served as in-house editor for author Steve Allen and has written several screenplays, as well as poetry, short stories, and essays. To learn more, go to http://www.karenjhicks.com/

Welcome, Karen. Please tell us about your current release.

The Coming Woman is a novel based on the life of Victoria C. Woodhull, the first woman to run for U.S. President, 50 years before women could even vote! Victoria was also the first woman to own a successful Wall Street brokerage firm, the first to publish a successful national newspaper, the first to head the two-million-member Spiritualist Association, and the first to petition the Senate Judiciary Committee, advocating for woman’s suffrage. Daring to take on society and religion and fight hypocrisy, Victoria exposed the extramarital affairs of the most popular religious figure of the day (Henry Ward Beecher), which led to the longest, most infamous trial of the 19^th century and her own imprisonment and persecution for exercising her First Amendment rights. But she would not be defeated and continued to fight for equal rights for all until her death of old age.

What inspired you to write this book? 

My friend Twyla first shared Victoria’s story with me back in the 1980s. She had written a college paper on her, and I was fascinated from the first word. I was never an avid student of history, but when I began reading more and researching Victoria’s life and times, my fascination grew—to full-blown obsession. Over the years I penned her story in several different formats, the hardest task being to whittle all the incredible material down to a manageable size. Feeling most of the books I read about Victoria were geared toward readers who loved history and/or biographies, I wanted to tell the story in a way that attracted those who prefer a good novel. So that’s what I did.

Excerpt from The Coming Woman:

The early spring drizzle on Great Jones Street doesn’t deter newsboys from hawking the April 2, 1870 headlines up and down the thoroughfare between the beer gardens and dance halls of the Bowery and the opulent emporiums of Broadway.

“Petticoat Politician Victoria C. Woodhull to run for President!”

“Indian raids in Wyoming!”

“Sergeant Patrick Gass of Lewis and Clark expedition dies at ninety-eight!”

The heavy, mahogany front door at No. 17 flies open. Victoria Woodhull, lithe and fair at thirty, skips lightly down the steps of the elegant four-story brownstone. Her bobbed and curled brown hair bounces gently against her high forehead. A diamond ring glitters on her right thumb.

“Queen of Finance takes on Government!” yells a newsboy.

Victoria smiles as she hails him. He hands her a New York Herald.

“So Mrs. Woodhull is to run for President, is she?” she asks. “What do you think of that?”

“No offense or nuthin’ to you as a woman, Ma’am, but it’s plum crazy.” The boy looks down and shuffles his feet.

Another newsboy waves and calls out, “Mornin’, Mrs. Woodhull! You’re stirrin’ things up for sure today!” He runs on yelling: “Bewitching Broker in dash to the White House!”

The mortified boy on the steps turns as red as the fresh rose pinned to the black velvet band at Victoria’s throat. She pats his cheek; her laughter is soft and melodic.

“Don’t be embarrassed, son. I’m sure you won’t be the only one of your opinion. And I shouldn’t have tricked you. Here’s an extra penny to apologize.”

“Thank you, Ma’am!” The boy scoots away, calling out: “Asa Brainard pitches fifteenth straight win for Cincinnati Red Stockings! New York Knickerbockers can’t stop ‘em!”

Victoria skips back up the steps, flipping through the newspaper. Glancing up as she opens the door, she spies tall, scarecrow-looking Stephen Pearl Andrews skirting puddles, hurrying toward her. His bony nose, bushy gray hair, and grizzled beard glisten with droplets of rain. His calf-length black coat flaps wildly in the breeze.  Victoria grins and goes to meet him, blue eyes sparkling like sunlit waves. She takes his arm and Andrews’ wildness softens at her touch. He pats her hand.

“So did the Herald print your announcement?” he asks.

“The entire thing!  And Ashley Cole wrote the perfect headline and introduction!”

“You are on your way to your destiny, la mia stella.”

Inside the house, Victoria walks past tall vases of fragrant flowers and a staircase that curls upward to the second floor.  She stops at a marble statue of the famous Greek orator Demosthenes—classic tunic, laced sandals, laurel wreath on his head. 

“Demosthenes’ promise to me as a child—that I would live in a mansion in a city surrounded by ships and rule my people—It’s all coming true! How do you say thank you in Greek, Pearl?”

“Efharisto.”

“Efharisto, Demosthenes! I will fight for freedom for our people as you did for the Greeks.” She pecks Andrews on the cheek. “Demosthenes’ prophecy has driven my entire life, Pearl, but you are his corporeal representation and have given me the courage to act on it. So thank you, too.”

“Yes, yes. Let’s look at this announcement now.”

What exciting story are you working on next?

I have a first draft completed on a short novel titled Crystal Dreams. It is a romance that calls on my background in the advertising and entertainment industries of Nashville and Hollywood for its setting. Add my interest and respect for spiritual practices and my deep respect for the American Indian culture, and you have what I consider to be a funny, poignant, and sexy story. This is my first book written out of whole fantasy and I must say I love the freedom of that.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Since early childhood it has always been my dream to write, and I have dabbled with poetry, short stories and the like since an early age. But it wasn’t until my son graduated from high school that I began calling myself a writer—and thereafter actually published my first book.

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 am retired so I have as much time as I want to write now. When I was a single parent and holding a 9-to-5 job to pay the bills, I would get up in the wee hours of the morning and write before going off to the office. Having been raised on a dairy farm, I am still fond of the early morning. I confess I have a very casual attitude toward writing and sit down to it only when I feel I can channel the Universe through my fingers onto the keyboard. This comes from my belief that it is not me or any particular talent of mine that makes me a writer, but rather an openness to be a conduit for the Higher Power.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I think I am a better editor than writer so I always make many passes through a draft before I am satisfied.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Well, as a very young gal, I wanted to be Annie Oakley and live on a horse ranch in Texas. When I was older I thought about being an English teacher. But I always knew, no matter what else I did, I would always write, even if it was only in my journal. I still keep one of those and write in it daily. My mother died when I was four and some years ago her sister, my Aunt Fran, gave me copies of letters my mother had written over the two years she had battled cancer. That peek into my early years is absolutely priceless, so I also keep a separate journal about my granddaughter Sophie’s life so when she grows up she will have a similar treasure. 

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I hope you enjoy my book and if you have a dream, never give up on it. It took almost 30 years for this book to become a reality and many times it ended up on a back shelf, but if you visualize, keep the faith, and do your part, I believe your dream can be realized. Namaste.

The Coming Woman was published by Sartoris Literary Group in August 2014 and is available for sale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Website | Facebook | Goodreads 

Thanks for being here today, Karen.