Authors Interviewing Characters: Grace Sammon

Authors Interviewing Characters: Grace Sammon

The Eves is a multi-generational novel about lives lived well and lives in transition. Told through the eyes of the psychologically-complex Jessica Barnet, we travel to Washington, DC, Southern Maryland, Tanzania, and Norway. Jessica is a liar with some big secrets. She has given up on her looks and her ambition, but not her vodka or her sense of loss and guilt. That all changes, however, when Jessica meets a group of diverse, determined, and sometimes ditzy old women living on a communal farm. The women, The Eves, are committed to living out their final years making a difference. When their stories are told, everything changes.

Grace interviews Jessica

It’s been almost two years since Jessica and I sat down together. I chose the cozy Mikado Mercado across the road from The Grange for our meeting. Traffic on Rt. 4 is heavy, slowing my trip to the part of Southern Maryland I so love. Not quite as small as when I was last there, the “M & M” has expanded to include several small tables and seating areas and now includes expanded menu options. The little bell tinkles as I enter and specks of air-born dust sparkle in the sunlight. Jessica is already seated, waiting for me, just as I knew she would be.

Me: “Jessica, I am so glad we are together again. I’ve thought of getting back together on so many occasions but in truth, I was too nervous.”

Jessica: “That’s funny, you have complete control over what I say and do.  So, seriously, nervous?”

Me: “Yes!  Ask any author. After a certain point we really don’t have much control of the story. You and the other characters have a life of your own. Besides, you are the master interviewer, I just write the story. Speaking of which, what was it like to have your life the focus of the book?”

Jessica: “In truth, it was uncomfortable. The Eves is written largely in my voice, the first person, so having readers in my head was both intimate and sometimes intimidating. I’m pretty much a hot mess at the start of the book, I have secrets. If it wasn’t for bossy Sonia, Tobias, and the Oldies, life would have turned out much differently.”

Me: “Do you have a favorite character?”

Jessica: “I love each of them, even with their foibles. I love that they range in age from 15 to 94.  I love that they are Black, and white, and Latinx, and Native American, and flawed. They each seem to have this sense of purpose and appreciation for life that is contagious. 

“Tobias and I still spend time together, and I’ve finally met Joan who is everything I imagined she would be.”

Me: “The Eves has three big plot twists. How did you experience each of them?”

Jessica: “Seriously?  I am only going to comment on the first two. First, having to admit to myself and to the world the truth about what really happened to my children, and then trying to somehow put that right, was gut-wrenching. Then, when Jesper shows up, my goodness where did he come from?

Me: “Jesper surprised me too. He came in at the suggestion of one of my Beta readers, totally unplanned on my part. I’m so glad he showed up.  Sorry about the gut-wrenching. But, I’ve spoken to so many readers that have similar stories, or parts of stories, about their children that it seems to work.”

Jessica: “You know the readers are shocked, right?  And, that last plot twist?  I seriously did not see that coming,” she says with a laugh.

Me: I laugh at her, remembering how incredibly likable she is. “Sorry about that last plot twist.  That I did have planned from the start. Yes, readers cry, I like that, but there’s a lot of laughter as well. I needed that plot twist to wrap things up for all the other characters. Plus, you know it wasn’t really going to be just your story, don’t you?”

Jessica: “In some sense I did. I always felt that the Oldies and Tobias, and even 15-year old Erica had more to say and contribute than I did.  Erica is funny and wise beyond her years. I think Elizabeth surprises me the most.  She’s such a solid constant, all the time thinking she’s “done,” while really driving the plot forward.  I love that she feels there is no more for her to accomplish in life and then it all unexpectedly unfolds for her.”

Me: “What did you learn from your experience in The Eves?”

Jessica: “I think the whole way that life takes us to unexpected places and if we are open to the experience we wind up in exceptional places.  I learned that self-doubt is useless.  Be who you are. I like that you’ve posted the “Life Lessons” I wrote on your website. I thought they were pretty basic but I have them printed out and posted in my room. Two of my favorites are “live decisively” and “be kinder than you need to be.” I also loved being with the llamas, and the Service Dog Pavarotti, and I love Gabler my cat. Oh, and I loved all the factoids. Kind of like listening to NPR.”

Me: “If you could change something in the book what would it be?”

Jessica: “Selfishly, I wish you had given me hindsight. I wish that I could have gotten out of my own way sooner. I wish that I had been smarter about my kids.”

Me: “Let’s talk about Roy for a minute.”

Jessica pauses before responding and her eyes refocus somewhere over my shoulder. I watch her and take notes, noting how much she’s changed since we first met. She’s wearing a smartly designed running outfit with color coordinated shoes. Sonia would be proud, saying ‘Jess-i-ca, people remember what you wear, not what you say.’ Sonia is wrong about that, I remember all of their words.

Following Jessica’s gaze, I see a man with his back to us changing out the plantings at the sign that marks the entrance to The Grange. He stands up suddenly, turns toward us, squints into the sunlight and says something, something short, maybe just one word.  As if in response, Jessica, with a broad and confident smile says, “I do like him more than a considerable amount.”

Just as I’m finishing up my notes, I hear the tinkling of the little bell as the door opens and hear the words “Greetings, greetings.”  Roy.

—

Grace Sammon is an author, entrepreneur, educator and storyteller.  The Eves is her fourth book and debut novel.  Just like the characters in her book, Grace discovered she is not “done.”  She now hosts her own radio show and podcast, “The Storytellers” on Authors on the Air Global Radio Network where she features authors and others who leave their mark on the world through the art of story.  She is also the founder of the Author Talk Network: where authors and readers come together to talk books and so much more.

Learn more about Grace and The Eves and listen to episodes of “The Storytellers” at www.gracesammon.net

Email Gace: grace@gracesammon.net

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceSammonWrites/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/GraceSammonWrites/

On Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/GSammonWrites

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-sammon-84389153/

THE EVES

The Eves is a multi-generational novel portraying lives lived well and lives in transition. Filled with poignancy and humor, The Eves captures the conversations we wish we had had with our parents, if we had taken the opportunity, and the lessons we would want to impart to our children, if they were ready to listen.

Told through the voice of the psychologically complex Jessica Barnet, this is her story. As the primary witness in a messy trial she has been torn from the foundation of her existence—her connection to her children. With a partially finished doctoral degree, and incomplete renovations on her Washington, DC row house, she has let go of her ambitions and her appearance, but not her vodka or her sense of loss and guilt.

When Jessica meets five diverse, determined, and sometimes ditzy old women living in a sustainable community everything and everybody changes. Through plot twists and turns that cover three continents, we learn the truth of Jessica’s life and lies just as we fall in love with the vividly drawn characters and the vibrantly described settings.

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Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Contemporary Women Writers, Interviews, On Writing