One Woman's Writing Retreat: Interview
Interview
Carrie Kabak
Author of COVER THE BUTTER
By Catherine Tudor
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Carrie Kabak
"When I was nine, my cousin let me into
a secret. Parents "hide dirty books and stuff" on top of
their dressers. Taking what he said to heart, I promptly found a copy
of Edna O'Brien's The Country Girls on top of
my father's wardrobe.
Stumbling through the difficult words
and the naughty bits, I found the characters, mood and dialogue
pulled me into a familiar world. Here were the mothers, fathers,
shopkeepers, teachers and nuns I knew so well in the many places I
lived and visited with my family in England, Wales and Ireland.
"I might write books when I grow up," I told my cousin.
At eighteen, it was time to line up for
career's advice at school. The Head Teacher studied our exam results. She pointed
to each girl, teacher, bank, nurse, teacher, bank, nurse. I was labeled teacher and
encouraged to train for a real job when I objected, saying I'd like to be an artist--even
an author.
So I went to Cardiff University to
train as a French, English and Art teacher.
At college, an English professor pulled
me to one side. Why was I teaching, he asked. Why wasn't I
writing? Because it's not a proper job, I explained. Then make it one, he said.
I married, taught, designed, and raised
four children instead.
But I kept notes, mingled characters in
my head. Studied the craft, kept reading, wrote poetry, achieved
grade A for my sons' essay assignments. (D for math.)
I moved to the United States and began
children's book illustrating, always thinking, I'll write a book next--but it took
another four years to finally take the plunge. I was sure words could
be used like a paintbrush, but with writing, I could climb inside the picture too. And
live in it."
--Carrie Kabak
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How long have you been writing novels?
Did you begin writing novels or short stories? Did you publish any
other work before this novel?
CK: In the UK, I dealt with interior design
products, and had a Dutch "art" agent who distributed my work. I
did a little children's book illustration when I moved to America,
then started Cover the Butter, which is my first book. I've
only been writing for a year or so, and haven't written any short
stories.
This novel has been such a success for
you. Was there ever a period of self-doubt and if so, what kept you
going?
CK: I was confident, and kept going--in
fact, I found it hard to stop writing. But I experienced self-doubt
the minute the Cover the Butter manuscript was sent to my
agent. I am a constant editor, and kept fretting that I hadn't done
enough "combing through"!
How long did it take you to complete
this book?
CK: Eight months.
Did you journal or keep a writer's
notebook?
CK: No. You have to be an organized person
to do that, and I'm far from organized--or methodical!
Has living in the United States. been a
culture shock since you moved from the UK? What do you miss? What's
difficult? What's easy?
CK: Not too much of a culture shock. I feel
the Americans and British are very similar. But everything is so new
here, where are the castles and ancient cathedrals?! It took a while
to realize how vast the US is, how huge in comparison to the little
island of Britain. What I miss: Fish and chips, Marmite, digestive
biscuits, HP sauce and the mild weather.
What's difficult: The humidity of a
Missouri summer. Leaving half of the huge portion of food served in
restaurants.
What's easy: Making friends. Most
Americans I've met are warm and refreshingly open-minded.
Has publication changed your lifestyle?
Your writing habits? Your relationships?
CK: I usually write 3-4 days a week, and
start typing after 11 am, and often keep going until 4 am in the
morning, or if I'm on a roll, I'll work through the night, not
wanting to lose the thoughts in my head. I change from my desktop
computer to my laptop when my husband comes home, so I can follow him
around. Otherwise, he feels neglected! He's a fantastic cook--so
on my writing days, I don't have to stop to prepare meals.
You recreated an era seamlessly. Did
you need to do much research? If so, how did you go about it? Any
favorite techniques?
CK: Well, I lived through each era, so that
helped! Some research helped to jog my memory. I used books, the
Internet, and watched old films. I used music and fashion to set the
mood, create a backdrop, give a sense of time. Kate's life was
recorded as a journey, and music and fashion were the perfect tools.
What has been your most effective
method of marketing so far--the Internet, radio, book signings, or by
other means?
CK: Dutton deals with most of the
publicity. Cover the Butter being a Book Sense Pick and a
nominee for a Quills Award helped garner a lot of attention. Articles
and reviews in newspapers increased sales. The
Internet has been a terrific method of marketing. Not sure which is the most effective, but
official book signing would probably be at the bottom of the list. Signing stock, or
"dropping in" works well. Radio interviews have been set up, and there is to be a
sizeable feature in the Kansas City Star in September. (Very exciting!)
How much input did you receive from
loved ones on this book before publication?
CK: I left pages of manuscript on my poor
husband's pillow most nights for him to read through. He was, and
still is, very supportive. No input from my sons while I was writing,
but they did supply me with wine and gin and tonics to keep me going.
Did you ever belong to a writer's group
for support or feedback?
CK: I work with a critique partner, who writes non-fiction, and I have a reader who writes the same genre as me. We belong to a private online group. Group members journey via plane and car to meet up for weekends and short holidays. I couldn't do without my author girlfriends!
What's the strangest, funniest, or most
annoying question you've been asked about your novel or your writing
so far?
CK: "Was it easy?"
"Writing a book is a horrible,
exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One
would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some
demon whom one can neither resist nor understand."--George Orwell
Well OK, that's perhaps going a bit
too far, but boy, writing is extremely hard work!
How much of yourself and the people you
know manifest into your characters? Where do your characters come
from?
CK: My work is a fictitious blend of
various elements from my own life and those of others. My characters
are formed by mixing the personality traits of those I've met or
been involved with, or just observed.
Tell us about Biddy and Kate's Relationship?
CK: Human relationships are so complicated.
I just observe and relate--I'm not too good at analyzing. I don't
think simple female jealousy was the problem in Cover the Butter.
I've received emails asking about Narcissistic Personality
Disorder--some readers reckon Kate's mother suffers from this
(although it's her daughter who does all the suffering!) Readers
detail their predicament and I'm asked for advice, but
unfortunately I can't help, as I'm no expert. I believe this is
the definition:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder: A
pattern of traits and behaviors, which signify infatuation and
obsession with one's self to the exclusion of all others and the
egotistic and ruthless pursuit of one's gratification, dominance and
ambition.
When someone reads one of your books
for the first time, what do you hope they gain, feel or experience?
CK: In Cover the Butter, I wanted emotions
stirred. I wanted the reader to laugh, cry, feel anger, be sympathetic. I wanted
the protagonist to become the reader's friend. And I wanted to make sure my writing appealed
to all five senses when I created settings.
What's next?
CK: I've had such a lot of emails asking
for a sequel to Cover the Butter. I'm very flattered, and seriously thinking about
it. I'd like to continue writing about Kate's life in Provence. I
have almost completed my second book, Tarts And Sinners.
Here's a very brief description:
The end of one year and the beginning
of another in the lives of Annie Ruddock, age 58, a vicar's wife
in love with a cross-dressing bell ringer. Jane Frobisher, age 46,
who's obsessed with chickens. (Her husband's having an affair with
a Camilla Parker-Bowles look-alike.) And Fiona Wiggins, age 23, who's
obsessed with the Fabulous Fifties, and who regrets losing her
virginity. Tarts and Sinners, mostly set in Tutton Longfield,
England, is an interwoven tale told from three different points of
view.
Any advice for novelists who are not
yet published?
CK: Learn the craft. Study absolutely
everything you can about writing before you start. Read articles and
how-to books. Learn how to sharpen your prose, structure a story,
develop a scene and write dialog. Then put them all to one side and
let the creative juices flow!
Relevant Links:
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Copyright (c) by Catherine Tudor,
2006.
Catherine Tudor founded One Woman's Writing
Retreat in 1996 in order to create a network for writers at all stages in
their careers. She is the managing editor and webmaster of One Woman's Writing Retreat. Read
more about her here.
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