T-roy Talks – Conversations with a Cephalopod #6
Episode #6 – Tess Thompson – Writer, Essayist, and Hot Momma!
I have another lovely lady coming to the T-roy Talks today, and she brings with her a Number One Bestseller! Author and Blogger from Seattle, Washington, Tess Thompson joins us here in this strange den of wonders. Honestly, I think she’s a little too classy and graceful for this place, but she agreed to come by for a pow-wow. I hope she knows what she’s gotten herself into. Tess is the author of the Romance/Suspense novel Riversong which hit number one on Barnes and Noble’s Nook in October of 2011! Not only this, but she is a contributor to the story collection Write for the Fight from Booktrope Publishing, in which all of the proceeds went to saving the Ta-Tas! And on top of all this, she just released her latest novel Caramel and Magnolias to rave reviews! Let’s hear what she has to say…
-Tell us a little about yourself. How did Tess become Tess?
I’m from a small town in Oregon, raised by a schoolteacher and artist. I’m the middle child between two boys, which should tell you everything you need to know. I studied acting in college with the idea that I would have a life in the theatre as an actress, director and playwright. But it didn’t quite work out that way. It never does.
-What made you write Riversong ?
I asked myself, when contemplating a plot - what is one of the worst things that could happen to me or one of my women friends? And I came up with this - husband commits suicide and leaves you pregnant and owing a million dollars to the mob. I set it a small town in southern Oregon, based loosely on my own town, because I knew it was ripe with quirky characters and beautiful scenery. It all grew from there.
-How long have you been scribbling words?
I wrote my first story in 4th grade about an orphan girl who opens a pizza restaurant. In the late 90’s I had some success as a playwright but nothing big time. One day, it occurred to me that I should write what I like to read – novels for women. So I did. And everything took off for me once I figured that out. It only took like twenty years!
-You’re also a dedicated mother. How do you balance writing and motherhood?
It’s difficult, as it is for any working mother, no matter your profession. But because I’m so busy with the kids, it forces discipline. I have one rule. When the kids are at school, except for my obsessive morning exercise routine, my butt is in the seat, writing. That is it. When they get home I try to focus just on them, but I have to admit, sometimes the keyboard calls me back. They are good at entertaining themselves at this point – they’re 6 and 9 - and they know that if I have an idea sometimes I have to spend a few more minutes writing. I’m sure they’ll talk about it on the therapists couch in twenty years or so. Their memoirs are going to suck. No more wire hangers.
-What’s on the horizon for you?
I have a new women’s fiction novel coming out February 1, 2013, called, Caramel and Magnolias, along with four other novels hopefully released in 2013 as well. One of them is a sequel to Riversong, called Riverbend. The others are historical fiction set in the south in the 1930’s and will be released as a trilogy.
-What is one of your biggest goals in this writing life?
I want two things. One is to continue to work on my craft, inching ever closer to true art, understanding that perfection is impossible but knowing I will never stop trying. Secondly, I want two books a year on the bestseller lists, for the rest of my life - until the day they pry my gnarled fingers from the keyboard and put me in the ground. I know, bold. Go big or go home.
-What’s your favorite song right now?
I’ve been listening obsessively to this song by Brandi Carlisle called, “Save Part of Yourself.”
-What line of prose are you the most proud of?
I don’t know if this is the one I’m most proud of but I like it. From the opening of my “Autumn” essay in Write for the Fight.
It is glorious autumn, with gold and orange and red leaves fluttering in the crisp October breeze; sometimes these leaves hover in the air, suspended between the green bud they once were and the dry flakes they will become when they return to the earth.
I am an autumn leaf, somewhere between before and after. This is my now, with work to do and love to reap and sow before I land gently on the ground to merge with the earth as I meet the source, my Maker.
-What would you like to be remembered for?
Dedicated and loving mother. Generous and passionate partner (still looking for him). Loyal daughter and sister. True friend. Stellar writer.
-Are you happy?
This is such a hard question, as happiness is such an elusive concept. I will say, in general, I’m a naturally happy person, in that I find it easy to be grateful for what I have instead of worrying about what I don’t. However, I don’t think it’s possible to feel ‘happy’ every moment. I prefer to think of happiness more in terms of moments of joy. Even though I have times of doubt, anxiety and loneliness, especially lately, as I’m going through a divorce, I also have moments of pure joy – laughing with my daughters or friends or just being with people I love without any expectations or hidden agendas. I experience many moments of joy in my work - like when that perfect sentence comes together or when a plot point becomes suddenly clear. Sometimes joy comes from something as simple as the beauty of rainwater glistening on a tree branch or the view of the snowy Cascades during my daily walk with the dog. Oh, and then there’s dancing in my Zumba class. It’s impossible to be unhappy whilst shaking one’s arse. But I digress. I guess to answer your question, not every aspect of my life is happy right now, but there are enough moments of joy that my heart is full.
-Where else can we find you?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TessWrites
www.Tesswrites.com
email: tessthompsonwrites@gmail.com
I have another lovely lady coming to the T-roy Talks today, and she brings with her a Number One Bestseller! Author and Blogger from Seattle, Washington, Tess Thompson joins us here in this strange den of wonders. Honestly, I think she’s a little too classy and graceful for this place, but she agreed to come by for a pow-wow. I hope she knows what she’s gotten herself into. Tess is the author of the Romance/Suspense novel Riversong which hit number one on Barnes and Noble’s Nook in October of 2011! Not only this, but she is a contributor to the story collection Write for the Fight from Booktrope Publishing, in which all of the proceeds went to saving the Ta-Tas! And on top of all this, she just released her latest novel Caramel and Magnolias to rave reviews! Let’s hear what she has to say…
-Tell us a little about yourself. How did Tess become Tess?
I’m from a small town in Oregon, raised by a schoolteacher and artist. I’m the middle child between two boys, which should tell you everything you need to know. I studied acting in college with the idea that I would have a life in the theatre as an actress, director and playwright. But it didn’t quite work out that way. It never does.
-What made you write Riversong ?
I asked myself, when contemplating a plot - what is one of the worst things that could happen to me or one of my women friends? And I came up with this - husband commits suicide and leaves you pregnant and owing a million dollars to the mob. I set it a small town in southern Oregon, based loosely on my own town, because I knew it was ripe with quirky characters and beautiful scenery. It all grew from there.
-How long have you been scribbling words?
I wrote my first story in 4th grade about an orphan girl who opens a pizza restaurant. In the late 90’s I had some success as a playwright but nothing big time. One day, it occurred to me that I should write what I like to read – novels for women. So I did. And everything took off for me once I figured that out. It only took like twenty years!
-You’re also a dedicated mother. How do you balance writing and motherhood?
It’s difficult, as it is for any working mother, no matter your profession. But because I’m so busy with the kids, it forces discipline. I have one rule. When the kids are at school, except for my obsessive morning exercise routine, my butt is in the seat, writing. That is it. When they get home I try to focus just on them, but I have to admit, sometimes the keyboard calls me back. They are good at entertaining themselves at this point – they’re 6 and 9 - and they know that if I have an idea sometimes I have to spend a few more minutes writing. I’m sure they’ll talk about it on the therapists couch in twenty years or so. Their memoirs are going to suck. No more wire hangers.
-What’s on the horizon for you?
I have a new women’s fiction novel coming out February 1, 2013, called, Caramel and Magnolias, along with four other novels hopefully released in 2013 as well. One of them is a sequel to Riversong, called Riverbend. The others are historical fiction set in the south in the 1930’s and will be released as a trilogy.
-What is one of your biggest goals in this writing life?
I want two things. One is to continue to work on my craft, inching ever closer to true art, understanding that perfection is impossible but knowing I will never stop trying. Secondly, I want two books a year on the bestseller lists, for the rest of my life - until the day they pry my gnarled fingers from the keyboard and put me in the ground. I know, bold. Go big or go home.
-What’s your favorite song right now?
I’ve been listening obsessively to this song by Brandi Carlisle called, “Save Part of Yourself.”
-What line of prose are you the most proud of?
I don’t know if this is the one I’m most proud of but I like it. From the opening of my “Autumn” essay in Write for the Fight.
It is glorious autumn, with gold and orange and red leaves fluttering in the crisp October breeze; sometimes these leaves hover in the air, suspended between the green bud they once were and the dry flakes they will become when they return to the earth.
I am an autumn leaf, somewhere between before and after. This is my now, with work to do and love to reap and sow before I land gently on the ground to merge with the earth as I meet the source, my Maker.
-What would you like to be remembered for?
Dedicated and loving mother. Generous and passionate partner (still looking for him). Loyal daughter and sister. True friend. Stellar writer.
-Are you happy?
This is such a hard question, as happiness is such an elusive concept. I will say, in general, I’m a naturally happy person, in that I find it easy to be grateful for what I have instead of worrying about what I don’t. However, I don’t think it’s possible to feel ‘happy’ every moment. I prefer to think of happiness more in terms of moments of joy. Even though I have times of doubt, anxiety and loneliness, especially lately, as I’m going through a divorce, I also have moments of pure joy – laughing with my daughters or friends or just being with people I love without any expectations or hidden agendas. I experience many moments of joy in my work - like when that perfect sentence comes together or when a plot point becomes suddenly clear. Sometimes joy comes from something as simple as the beauty of rainwater glistening on a tree branch or the view of the snowy Cascades during my daily walk with the dog. Oh, and then there’s dancing in my Zumba class. It’s impossible to be unhappy whilst shaking one’s arse. But I digress. I guess to answer your question, not every aspect of my life is happy right now, but there are enough moments of joy that my heart is full.
-Where else can we find you?
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TessWrites
www.Tesswrites.com
email: tessthompsonwrites@gmail.com
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