About the book
What is the book about?
Refraining from sounding blurb-like, I’ll cut to the chase. An Enlightening Quiche is about how an heirloom quiche recipe and baking rivalry turn up the heat in a small town rife with secrets and scandals.
When did you start writing the book?
I distinctly remember starting this book in October of 2007 while awaiting the official launch of my debut novel.
How long did it take you to write it?
Due to life’s detours, it took me a little over 8 years to write my second novel!
Where did you get the idea from?
My ideas spring from life experiences. Since I revived my dormant flair for writing sometime after I retired, my idea for this novel took root in the beloved village of Manville, Rhode Island where I began my 29-year teaching career inside the trenches of Northern Lincoln Elementary. A village rich in history, Manville Mill, powered by the Blackstone River, was the largest textile mill in the country with over 5,000 employees in the 1950s. Massive flooding caused by Hurricane Diane in 1955, and a devastating fire two weeks later, contributed to the mill’s demise. I reference this in the novel and incorporate my own history for Brulé Bookbinding Co., the fictitious mill in my story whose antiquated operations are based on my own factory gal employment at Sidney-Higgins Bookbinding Co. during college summer vacations.
This novel was also inspired by the warmth of the predominantly French-Canadian population who immigrated to the area at the turn of the 20th century seeking gainful employment in the mills. I had the privilege of teaching their descendants who reflected time-honored values instilled in them by their forbears who were no strangers to hard work. Though the village embraced other ethnicities throughout the ensuing years leading up to my retirement, I chose to preserve Manville’s original aura in my book through the fictitious locale of Beauchemins and the characters who reside there.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Although I didn’t struggle writing certain parts of the book, it was an overall challenge to pull off the entire project of 550 pages! I had to consistently sustain alternating first-person narratives in the guise of town siren, Augusta Bergeron, and historian-in-residence, Lindsay Metcalfe, so their distinct voice and persona resonated throughout the novel. Another daunting challenge was developing a cast of supporting characters as fully-fleshed, memorable, and endearing as the main characters.
What came easily?
Easier, but not easy per se, was interweaving historic information along with downright distorted facts into the story, particularly when it suited my purpose to provide background for Brulé Bookbinding Co., the fictitious mill that looms large in the novel.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
My characters are entirely fictitious figments of my imagination.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
A voracious reader who in all likelihood embodies the spirit of many esteemed writers, I am consciously aware of two who have influenced my writing:
Anne Lamott – In the author’s own words, “I try to write the books I would love to come upon, that are honest, concerned with real lives, human hearts, spiritual transformation, families, secrets, wonder, craziness—and that can make me laugh.”
*Having mentioned the town siren, here’s a snippet from Augusta’s narrative at the start of Chapter 5:
A little after seven when I stopped by the Marchands to call on Her Majesty, the news had trickled around town. Figures! After his shift, Officer Rousseau brewed a tempest during his usual coffee and Danish run at Paquin’s where he spilled the beans to Bernard. Wending her way to Bernard’s checkout lane, Aimée Gregoire plunked down a box of “you get a big delight in every bite” seven-squiggled snack cakes and a can of Chock Full o’ Nuts hazelnut. Husband Pie could be a mean S.O.B. shy one cuppa joe in the morn.
Stephen King is another. For years, I thrived on a steady reading diet of his books. More than mastering the genre of horror, I admire his genius for character development, realistic dialog, and a pervasive sense of humor. I credit King for unleashing my penchant for perversity where deemed needed.
*More of Augustas’ narrative from Chapter 5:
Death by hibachi! Vernon Blais went out in a blaze of glory, smoked to death barbecuing charcoal briquettes while locked inside the bathroom with the window shut.
Do you have a target reader?
Since both of my novels in the genre of Contemporary Women’s Fiction feature female protagonists over forty, they are my target readers. However, l want it known that “real men read quiche!”
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
My writing process falls under the “pantster” nomenclature. No outline. No rigid plot. My literary journey from its point of origin follows a sketchy route to wherever my characters lead me. Starting with the very first blank page of a novel, I take such joy in typing “Chapter 1” and let the words land on the page haphazardly without confining them to sentences or adhering to conventions of grammar. At this stage, it is important to heed my inner voice.
Once my preliminary words have blazed a trail over the course of a paragraph or page, I start marking my territory by reining it in. Then, it’s on to blazing new trails and marking more territorial space, while going back to the previous fermenting text to make any necessary changes by eliminating and/or enriching.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
The writing process I just described enables me to edit as I move along. I also edit an entire chapter after its completion. This strategy helps maintain my focus in advancing the plot. I also edit the finished manuscript in its entirety more than once before deeming it ready for publication.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I have never hired a professional editor, believing in my own qualifications. I’ll back up this assertion from what transpired during the publication process of my first novel through an independent press in 2007. When I received my edited manuscript to implement suggestions, I noted edits which would have sorely compromised the integrity of my story. Duly mentioned to my publisher, he gave me carte blanche to proofread and edit it myself. I then went on to edit one of his works in progress. The experience served to make me even more proprietary of my work. Trust me, I can be my own harshest critic. As mentioned, proofreading and editing are an ongoing part of writing during and afterward. I’ve lost count of how many times I had poured over the manuscript prior to submitting my second novel for publication, and then three more times before I gave my publisher the go ahead to print.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
While I prefer to work in solitude, I do play music conducive for plying my mood to write a scene. For example, listening to Wicked Games by Chris Isaak provided the right amount of heat needed to convey my character’s thoughts on the subject of a certain male.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I would never consider submitting my work to an agent whom I consider a go-between far removed from all the agony and ecstasy I’ve invested in telling my story.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
For me it was a no brainer to go Indie via an Indie publisher because I still have creative control over content and design without the hassle of interior and exterior book formatting. Technically self-published, I feel I have reaped the benefits of professional formatting, eBook conversion, assigning an ISBN and barcode, author-controlled distribution and extended global distribution, copyright and Library of Congress registration, and earn competitive royalties.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
My Indie publisher formatted my book cover according to my detailed specifications incorporating image; font style, size, color; strategic placement of title, author, and blurb.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
You might say I’m winging it, striking while the iron is hot. I’m currently focusing on procuring book signings at local libraries and bookstores.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Be prepared to dig in your heels for the long haul in marketing and promoting your book. Conduct occasional giveaways to gain more exposure for your book. Ask readers to review it. Network with fellow Indies for support. Join author groups on social media to keep informed about opportunities to increase your visibility and credibility as a writer.
About You
Where did you grow up?
A lifelong native Rhode Islander, I grew up in the town of Lincoln.
Where do you live now?
I now live in East Providence.
What would you like readers to know about you?
In addition to having written two novels, I’ve published well over one hundred Memoirs; numerous Retro Sixties articles; Rhode Reads featuring places of interest and indigenous foods. I also write a weekly blog related to writing and social marketing. All of my literary works can be viewed on my web page at Authors Den.
What are you working on now?
Besides promoting my novel at this stage of the game, I intend querying local Indie filmmakers to gauge their interest in adapting An Enlightening Quiche to film.
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