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Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favorite moments, reactions, and questions. There are no wrong answers, so please feel free to discuss the book from your own perspective.
Sally, we are especially happy to welcome you into the conversation. We look forward to hearing about your inspiration for Naomi, the ideas behind her unusual journey, and how the story came together.
Please join the discussion by sharing your thoughts below. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
Your book began as a response to an unusual experience with a psychologist, and you have described it as a kind of alter-ego fictional memoir. How much of your own life or personality found its way into Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and what did fiction allow you to express that a traditional memoir might not?
That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world and Sally’s personal life really is.
I would be very interested to hear Sally’s answer to this, especially what she means by calling it an alter-ego fictional memoir. I think her explanation would help us understand the character and the story on a much deeper level.
I cant wait to ask my question, when the author join the discussion
You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey would you most want the audience to experience on screen, and what would you hope the adaptation would preserve from the novel?
I’m curious about something. When I search for The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley on Goodreads, the book does not seem to appear on the first page of the search results. Do you know why that might be, Sally?
Could it be related to the book’s visibility, reviews, or Goodreads search ranking? I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Maybe there is an issue with how the book is being indexed by the Goodreads search engine. I think it would be worth looking into and finding a solution, because better visibility could help more readers discover the book.
In any case, I would be very happy to hear directly from Sally during this discussion. I’m sure she can give us a clearer answer and share her thoughts with us.
Naomi’s psychiatrist initially believes that her unusual condition could make him famous, but their relationship eventually changes in surprising ways. What did you want readers to question about the psychiatrist’s ambition, his understanding of Naomi, and the authority people place in those who claim to understand others?
The same thing happened to me when I tried searching for the book on Goodreads. It was listed quite far down the results instead of appearing on the first page. I think this may be affecting how easily new readers can discover it. Hopefully, the issue can be looked into and resolved.
Charlotte wrote: "Your book began as a response to an unusual experience with a psychologist, and you have described it as a kind of alter-ego fictional memoir. How much of your own life or personality found its way..."
Hi Charlotte - I actually started writing some of these chapters back in the '80s! I was seeing a therapist at the time who had trained with another brilliant psychologist, but he was nuttier than a fruitcake! I eventually had to start pushing back at him, which I did with the first few pages of Chapter 1. I also drew from my own experiences,, touring with Burt Bacharach in concert in South America in the late seventies. And the chapter about the "reunion" was very muchh what happened to me when i hoped to see my "highschool sweetheart" at our reunion and he had passed, was no longer with us.
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "The same thing happened to me when I tried searching for the book on Goodreads. It was listed quite far down the results instead of appearing on the first page. I think this may be affecting how ea..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "The same thing happened to me when I tried searching for the book on Goodreads. It was listed quite far down the results instead of appearing on the first page. I think this may be affecting how ea..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "Welcome, everyone, to our featured discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley by Sally Stevens!
We are delighted to have Sally join us as we explore the imaginative, humorous, and thought..."
HI EVERYONE! Having trouble connecting - I hope I can participate here!!!
Trying to respond to Charlotte's comment -
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."
Hi dear friends! FINALLY figured out how to do this!! XO
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."
Sally wrote: "Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line betwe..."
Melanie, I sort of "expanded" and fictionalized some of my own experiences, as the tour in South America with Burt Bacharach...also,, my therapist ( who shall remain nameless) ACTUALLY did end up advertising in the AFM newsletter as an Acordian player 'available for your events"... some of it's real!!
Ecoms wrote: "I cant wait to ask my question, when the author join the discussion"
Elena wrote: "You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey..."
Elena wrote: "You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey..."
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."
In response to Elena's question about Michelle Pfeiffer - it would be pretty tough to do the chapter about the flood, the visit in the whale, etc. - maybe we should do an 'animated" version! But I thought Michelle would be a believable "Mrs. Billingsley", performing the odd adventures in a very accepting, realistic wa.
Elena wrote: "You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey..."
Melanie, I wish I knew more about how they post, what they post, etc. I am embarrassed to admit tht I don't know very much about Goodreads, and how their pages come together. Is there some way I could look into this?
Melanie wrote: "Maybe there is an issue with how the book is being indexed by the Goodreads search engine. I think it would be worth looking into and finding a solution, because better visibility could help more r..."
Elizabeth, your question about how I see the doctor's behavior, etc. I see him as someone with a job he's totally not qualified for, but believes himself to be remarkably gifted. As the writer, I wanted to give examples of why he is off-track,, HOW he is off-track.
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Charlotte's question about what parts of Mrs. Billingsley's life relates to my own...I think for instance, I remembered staying at the Copa Cobana Hotel on the Bacharach tour o south America, imagined Mrs. Billingsley drifting into the hotel, engaging with the handome gentleman at the bar - just all Fantasy!! On the trip up the mountain to the statue of Christ, I actually also did that on the tour - brought back a necklace made of cows' teeth! Pretty bizaar. My husband and I were having spats at the time, and that also was part of my work with "the doctor"... the opening of Chapter ! was how I presented my "imaginary" story of my husband and I taking "pot shots' at each other. Then I went on to fanticize how "pot shots" could be expanded into real, but ultimately harmless "shots"...
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Charlotte, I actually published my own memoir "I SANG THAT - A Memoir from Hollywood" in 2022, and then I opened the door to thoughts about my journey that could be turned into "fantasy" fun stories. I had written little chapters over the years, as some silly situation would occur to me that might have taken place in Mrs. Billingsley's "imaginary" world... all of these experiences ( the landing in the belly of the whale,, etc._ were alL supposed to be things Mrs. Billingsley experienced in her own mind, in her own imagination, where she sees herself as the "star" of an interesting situation, but doesn't actually "experience " it. The Doctor however, totally accept them as her real experiences sometimes - other times he credits her for being able to "create" them as part of her extraordinary "gift" that he hopes will make him famous as he unravels her strangeness! It was a book meant to be a fun read, but it requires a total abandonment of disbelief!
Jenn Renee wrote: "Welcome, everyone, to our featured discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley by Sally Stevens!
We are delighted to have Sally join us as we explore the imaginative, humorous, and thought..."
Jenn, I'm so sorry it took me so long to figure out how to join you all and comment ! I'm happy to stay on board if folks have more questions!
And I think I've responded to comments that were not from the person who I endeed up addressing! I am TERRIBLE on screen!
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."
Dear Ecoms, I have been here since abouet 2:18 - with apologies for the lateness to figure out how to participate! Did you have a new question for me?
Dear Reader Friends... it is now 3:20 California time - I am able, and happy, to stay on and chat but it looks like the comments have sort of ended...?
I'm worried now that I should have gone to the individual person's page on Goodreads, rather than typing answers here that look like they got all out of order!
It is now 3:51 - I will have to step away but will use the link Jenn sent to check and see if there are more comments or questions later, or in a day or so. Thanks to all who have read "The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley"... XOXO
Wow... Sally, you've done a great job
Readers should continue the discussion!!!
Sally, each chapter of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley seems to introduce its own unusual situation or experience.
What made you choose this chapter-by-chapter structure, and how did you decide which episodes belonged in Naomi’s story?
Naomi’s ordinary Midwestern life provides the setting for many of her unusual experiences.
How important was this everyday background to the story, and what did you want readers to understand about Naomi’s life before the extraordinary events began?
I’m still a little unsure how I should look at Naomi’s everyday life in relation to everything that happens later.
At times it feels like her ordinary surroundings explain some of the way she sees things, but at other times I wondered if there was something deeper behind it that I wasn’t quite picking up.
I’d really be interested in hearing Sally’s perspective on this, because I think she could give us a much clearer answer about what that background was meant to represent for Naomi.
Apart from her psychiatrist, how do the people around Naomi influence her life and the way she sees herself?
Was there a particular relationship that you considered especially important to her development?
Let's wait for sally to join us again.
Jenn Renee wrote: "Readers should continue the discussion!!!"
Jenn Renee wrote: "Readers should continue the discussion!!!"
Elena, interestingly, those chapters kind of evolved over many years! it was a project I just re-entered when a situation (in real life) made me want to add another "adventure" to her journey. I went to the Iowa Summer Writing Festivaln for 28 summers! Couldn't stay long enough to do an MFA as I was very busy in the music business in LA. But every summer, depending upon the courses I took for a week or two - something would inspire me to dive back in! Then there would be other summers when I would be working on other projects - short fiction, poetry, etc.
Elena wrote: "Sally, each chapter of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley seems to introduce its own unusual situation or experience.
What made you choose this chapter-by-chapter structure, and how did you dec..."
Jessica, "Midwestern Life" and its relationship to Mrs. Billingsley - I wanted to create a woman in a small town, maybe needing to use her own imagination to make her life more interesting and it seemed like a better transition from "reality" to "fantasy" experiences if she lived in a small town, not in some big city like LA or NYC. AND I probably relataed to the Midwestern life after all those summers in Iowa City - it "became" my home town after all those years!
Jessica wrote: "Naomi’s ordinary Midwestern life provides the setting for many of her unusual experiences.
How important was this everyday background to the story, and what did you want readers to understand abou..."
Jaxns... your question about the midwestern life vs fantasy experiences - it just seemed the contrast would be easier to show - AND - the experience with the storm, the tent, the getting flooded out into the sea and landing in a whale's tummy - I wanted dto include something about the evangelist minister who was kind of a shyster - I think many of my own personal feelings slipped into Mrs. Billingsley's head!
Why did you choose the title The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley?
What does the word “odyssey” mean to you in relation to Naomi’s experiences?
How did you decide on the Midwestern setting for Naomi’s life?
Did the setting reflect a particular atmosphere or contrast you wanted to create with the unusual events in the story?
Jaxns wrote: "I’m still a little unsure how I should look at Naomi’s everyday life in relation to everything that happens later.
At times it feels like her ordinary surroundings explain some of the way she see..."
Jaxns wrote: "I’m still a little unsure how I should look at Naomi’s everyday life in relation to everything that happens later.
At times it feels like her ordinary surroundings explain some of the way she see..."
Gary, her relationship with the psychiatrist - and eventually why their roles sort of reversed - was the main focus of the story - but her husband played a role - she was dealing with issues that worried her - like when she "found" the fish scales in the shower, linked to this fixation he had on stopping for a eer and fish at the pub on the way home - all these weird things were just fun to make up in my head... the hospital where she did volunteer work and "gave advice" to some of the doctors at their request - all nonsense. The re-landscaping of their yard to make everything more romantic - her efforts at re-connecting with her husband, but -- -there's not much I can explain "logically" about Mrs. :Billingsley!
I am not matching my responses correctly to the people who are leaving questions/ comments~ I click on "reply" but then it shows up under someone else's question!
Jenn, just got your note about "refreshing" the page - do I do that by using the link again? Will try that!
Sally wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Naomi’s ordinary Midwestern life provides the setting for many of her unusual experiences.
How important was this everyday background to the story, and what did you want readers to..."
Hi Gary - the "Odyssey" just I thought would be another way of descrsibing her "journey".
If you want to refresh the page, if you're using your computer, just press ''ctrl R''
Gary wrote: "Why did you choose the title The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley?
What does the word “odyssey” mean to you in relation to Naomi’s experiences?"
The Midwestern placement of her 'real life" just made all the other stories more absurd and unreal, I suspect.
Although Naomi’s situation can sometimes be disturbing, the story also contains humor and charm.
How did you balance the more serious moments with the lighter, humorous parts of the book?
Ecoms wrote: "If you want to refresh the page, if you're using your computer, just press ''ctrl R''"
That actually makes sense, especially because the ordinary Midwestern setting makes the strange parts of Naomi’s experiences feel even more out of place.
Do we have anyone else, that still have one thing or the other to ask?
Sally wrote: "Gary wrote: "Why did you choose the title The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley?
What does the word “odyssey” mean to you in relation to Naomi’s experiences?"
The Midwestern placement of her 're..."
Denise, it is I think mostly "tongue in cheek" - I was I think, focusing on the humor most of the time, but once in a while one of my own personal opinions about the world would show up in my mind and I' would find a way to have it be Mrs. Billingsley's opinion.
Before we officially close our discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, we’d love to hear from the readers one last time.
What stayed with you most after reading Naomi’s story? Was there a particular moment, idea, or aspect of Naomi’s journey that you found especially memorable?
And if you could tell Sally Stevens one thing about your experience with the book, what would it be?
Feel free to share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or simply a message for Sally. Let’s give her a chance to hear directly from the readers before we bring this discussion to a close. 📚
Before we officially close our discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, we’d love to hear from the readers one last time.
What stayed with you most after reading Naomi’s story? Was there a particular moment, idea, or aspect of Naomi’s journey that you found especially memorable?
And if you could tell Sally Stevens one thing about your experience with the book, what would it be?
Feel free to share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or simply a message for Sally. Let’s give her a chance to hear directly from the readers before we bring this discussion to a close. 📚
Thank you, dear Jenn - I would love to hear our readers' thoughts! When I first started sharing Mrs. Billingsley, in my workshops - it was very hard for some folks to get past the fresh bullet wound in her forehead. It does require TOTAL abandonment of disbelief!! But for other readers, they just rolled right along with it!
Naomi’s story really stayed with me.
There’s something special about creating a character who can make readers question what they think they understand.
Sally, I hope you continue giving us stories with this kind of imagination. You clearly have a voice worth hearing.
And if anyone wishes to, or has the time to send a personal note, you could use: Stevenssally123@gmail.com
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Our Opening QuestionWhat was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favorite moments, reactions, and questions. There are no wrong answers, so please feel free to discuss the book from your own perspective.
Sally, we are especially happy to welcome you into the conversation. We look forward to hearing about your inspiration for Naomi, the ideas behind her unusual journey, and how the story came together.
Please join the discussion by sharing your thoughts below. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
Your book began as a response to an unusual experience with a psychologist, and you have described it as a kind of alter-ego fictional memoir. How much of your own life or personality found its way into Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and what did fiction allow you to express that a traditional memoir might not?
That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world and Sally’s personal life really is.I would be very interested to hear Sally’s answer to this, especially what she means by calling it an alter-ego fictional memoir. I think her explanation would help us understand the character and the story on a much deeper level.
I cant wait to ask my question, when the author join the discussion
You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey would you most want the audience to experience on screen, and what would you hope the adaptation would preserve from the novel?
I’m curious about something. When I search for The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley on Goodreads, the book does not seem to appear on the first page of the search results. Do you know why that might be, Sally? Could it be related to the book’s visibility, reviews, or Goodreads search ranking? I would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Maybe there is an issue with how the book is being indexed by the Goodreads search engine. I think it would be worth looking into and finding a solution, because better visibility could help more readers discover the book.In any case, I would be very happy to hear directly from Sally during this discussion. I’m sure she can give us a clearer answer and share her thoughts with us.
Naomi’s psychiatrist initially believes that her unusual condition could make him famous, but their relationship eventually changes in surprising ways. What did you want readers to question about the psychiatrist’s ambition, his understanding of Naomi, and the authority people place in those who claim to understand others?
The same thing happened to me when I tried searching for the book on Goodreads. It was listed quite far down the results instead of appearing on the first page. I think this may be affecting how easily new readers can discover it. Hopefully, the issue can be looked into and resolved.
Charlotte wrote: "Your book began as a response to an unusual experience with a psychologist, and you have described it as a kind of alter-ego fictional memoir. How much of your own life or personality found its way..."Hi Charlotte - I actually started writing some of these chapters back in the '80s! I was seeing a therapist at the time who had trained with another brilliant psychologist, but he was nuttier than a fruitcake! I eventually had to start pushing back at him, which I did with the first few pages of Chapter 1. I also drew from my own experiences,, touring with Burt Bacharach in concert in South America in the late seventies. And the chapter about the "reunion" was very muchh what happened to me when i hoped to see my "highschool sweetheart" at our reunion and he had passed, was no longer with us.
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "The same thing happened to me when I tried searching for the book on Goodreads. It was listed quite far down the results instead of appearing on the first page. I think this may be affecting how ea..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "The same thing happened to me when I tried searching for the book on Goodreads. It was listed quite far down the results instead of appearing on the first page. I think this may be affecting how ea..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "Welcome, everyone, to our featured discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley by Sally Stevens!
We are delighted to have Sally join us as we explore the imaginative, humorous, and thought..."
HI EVERYONE! Having trouble connecting - I hope I can participate here!!!
Trying to respond to Charlotte's comment -
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."Hi dear friends! FINALLY figured out how to do this!! XO
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."Sally wrote: "Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line betwe..."
Melanie, I sort of "expanded" and fictionalized some of my own experiences, as the tour in South America with Burt Bacharach...also,, my therapist ( who shall remain nameless) ACTUALLY did end up advertising in the AFM newsletter as an Acordian player 'available for your events"... some of it's real!!
Ecoms wrote: "I cant wait to ask my question, when the author join the discussion"Elena wrote: "You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey..."
Elena wrote: "You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey..."
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."
In response to Elena's question about Michelle Pfeiffer - it would be pretty tough to do the chapter about the flood, the visit in the whale, etc. - maybe we should do an 'animated" version! But I thought Michelle would be a believable "Mrs. Billingsley", performing the odd adventures in a very accepting, realistic wa.
Elena wrote: "You have imagined Michelle Pfeiffer playing Mrs. Billingsley, especially because you coached her singing for The Fabulous Baker Boys. If the book were adapted for film, what part of Naomi’s journey..."Melanie, I wish I knew more about how they post, what they post, etc. I am embarrassed to admit tht I don't know very much about Goodreads, and how their pages come together. Is there some way I could look into this?
Melanie wrote: "Maybe there is an issue with how the book is being indexed by the Goodreads search engine. I think it would be worth looking into and finding a solution, because better visibility could help more r..."Elizabeth, your question about how I see the doctor's behavior, etc. I see him as someone with a job he's totally not qualified for, but believes himself to be remarkably gifted. As the writer, I wanted to give examples of why he is off-track,, HOW he is off-track.
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening QuestionWhat was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening Question
What was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Charlotte's question about what parts of Mrs. Billingsley's life relates to my own...I think for instance, I remembered staying at the Copa Cobana Hotel on the Bacharach tour o south America, imagined Mrs. Billingsley drifting into the hotel, engaging with the handome gentleman at the bar - just all Fantasy!! On the trip up the mountain to the statue of Christ, I actually also did that on the tour - brought back a necklace made of cows' teeth! Pretty bizaar. My husband and I were having spats at the time, and that also was part of my work with "the doctor"... the opening of Chapter ! was how I presented my "imaginary" story of my husband and I taking "pot shots' at each other. Then I went on to fanticize how "pot shots" could be expanded into real, but ultimately harmless "shots"...
Jenn Renee wrote: "Our Opening QuestionWhat was your first impression of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, and did your understanding of her change as you continued reading?
We invite everyone to share their thoughts, favor..."
Charlotte, I actually published my own memoir "I SANG THAT - A Memoir from Hollywood" in 2022, and then I opened the door to thoughts about my journey that could be turned into "fantasy" fun stories. I had written little chapters over the years, as some silly situation would occur to me that might have taken place in Mrs. Billingsley's "imaginary" world... all of these experiences ( the landing in the belly of the whale,, etc._ were alL supposed to be things Mrs. Billingsley experienced in her own mind, in her own imagination, where she sees herself as the "star" of an interesting situation, but doesn't actually "experience " it. The Doctor however, totally accept them as her real experiences sometimes - other times he credits her for being able to "create" them as part of her extraordinary "gift" that he hopes will make him famous as he unravels her strangeness! It was a book meant to be a fun read, but it requires a total abandonment of disbelief!
Jenn Renee wrote: "Welcome, everyone, to our featured discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley by Sally Stevens!We are delighted to have Sally join us as we explore the imaginative, humorous, and thought..."
Jenn, I'm so sorry it took me so long to figure out how to join you all and comment ! I'm happy to stay on board if folks have more questions!
And I think I've responded to comments that were not from the person who I endeed up addressing! I am TERRIBLE on screen!
Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."Melanie wrote: "That is such an interesting question. I can see how a character like Naomi might carry pieces of the author’s own experiences, but I’m still not completely sure where the line between Naomi’s world..."
Dear Ecoms, I have been here since abouet 2:18 - with apologies for the lateness to figure out how to participate! Did you have a new question for me?
Dear Reader Friends... it is now 3:20 California time - I am able, and happy, to stay on and chat but it looks like the comments have sort of ended...?
I'm worried now that I should have gone to the individual person's page on Goodreads, rather than typing answers here that look like they got all out of order!
It is now 3:51 - I will have to step away but will use the link Jenn sent to check and see if there are more comments or questions later, or in a day or so. Thanks to all who have read "The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley"... XOXO
Wow... Sally, you've done a great job
Readers should continue the discussion!!!
Sally, each chapter of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley seems to introduce its own unusual situation or experience. What made you choose this chapter-by-chapter structure, and how did you decide which episodes belonged in Naomi’s story?
Naomi’s ordinary Midwestern life provides the setting for many of her unusual experiences.How important was this everyday background to the story, and what did you want readers to understand about Naomi’s life before the extraordinary events began?
I’m still a little unsure how I should look at Naomi’s everyday life in relation to everything that happens later. At times it feels like her ordinary surroundings explain some of the way she sees things, but at other times I wondered if there was something deeper behind it that I wasn’t quite picking up.
I’d really be interested in hearing Sally’s perspective on this, because I think she could give us a much clearer answer about what that background was meant to represent for Naomi.
Apart from her psychiatrist, how do the people around Naomi influence her life and the way she sees herself?Was there a particular relationship that you considered especially important to her development?
Let's wait for sally to join us again.
Jenn Renee wrote: "Readers should continue the discussion!!!"Jenn Renee wrote: "Readers should continue the discussion!!!"
Elena, interestingly, those chapters kind of evolved over many years! it was a project I just re-entered when a situation (in real life) made me want to add another "adventure" to her journey. I went to the Iowa Summer Writing Festivaln for 28 summers! Couldn't stay long enough to do an MFA as I was very busy in the music business in LA. But every summer, depending upon the courses I took for a week or two - something would inspire me to dive back in! Then there would be other summers when I would be working on other projects - short fiction, poetry, etc.
Elena wrote: "Sally, each chapter of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley seems to introduce its own unusual situation or experience. What made you choose this chapter-by-chapter structure, and how did you dec..."
Jessica, "Midwestern Life" and its relationship to Mrs. Billingsley - I wanted to create a woman in a small town, maybe needing to use her own imagination to make her life more interesting and it seemed like a better transition from "reality" to "fantasy" experiences if she lived in a small town, not in some big city like LA or NYC. AND I probably relataed to the Midwestern life after all those summers in Iowa City - it "became" my home town after all those years!
Jessica wrote: "Naomi’s ordinary Midwestern life provides the setting for many of her unusual experiences.How important was this everyday background to the story, and what did you want readers to understand abou..."
Jaxns... your question about the midwestern life vs fantasy experiences - it just seemed the contrast would be easier to show - AND - the experience with the storm, the tent, the getting flooded out into the sea and landing in a whale's tummy - I wanted dto include something about the evangelist minister who was kind of a shyster - I think many of my own personal feelings slipped into Mrs. Billingsley's head!
Why did you choose the title The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley?What does the word “odyssey” mean to you in relation to Naomi’s experiences?
How did you decide on the Midwestern setting for Naomi’s life?Did the setting reflect a particular atmosphere or contrast you wanted to create with the unusual events in the story?
Jaxns wrote: "I’m still a little unsure how I should look at Naomi’s everyday life in relation to everything that happens later. At times it feels like her ordinary surroundings explain some of the way she see..."
Jaxns wrote: "I’m still a little unsure how I should look at Naomi’s everyday life in relation to everything that happens later.
At times it feels like her ordinary surroundings explain some of the way she see..."
Gary, her relationship with the psychiatrist - and eventually why their roles sort of reversed - was the main focus of the story - but her husband played a role - she was dealing with issues that worried her - like when she "found" the fish scales in the shower, linked to this fixation he had on stopping for a eer and fish at the pub on the way home - all these weird things were just fun to make up in my head... the hospital where she did volunteer work and "gave advice" to some of the doctors at their request - all nonsense. The re-landscaping of their yard to make everything more romantic - her efforts at re-connecting with her husband, but -- -there's not much I can explain "logically" about Mrs. :Billingsley!
I am not matching my responses correctly to the people who are leaving questions/ comments~ I click on "reply" but then it shows up under someone else's question! Jenn, just got your note about "refreshing" the page - do I do that by using the link again? Will try that!
Sally wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Naomi’s ordinary Midwestern life provides the setting for many of her unusual experiences.How important was this everyday background to the story, and what did you want readers to..."
Hi Gary - the "Odyssey" just I thought would be another way of descrsibing her "journey".
If you want to refresh the page, if you're using your computer, just press ''ctrl R''
Gary wrote: "Why did you choose the title The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley?What does the word “odyssey” mean to you in relation to Naomi’s experiences?"
The Midwestern placement of her 'real life" just made all the other stories more absurd and unreal, I suspect.
Although Naomi’s situation can sometimes be disturbing, the story also contains humor and charm.How did you balance the more serious moments with the lighter, humorous parts of the book?
Ecoms wrote: "If you want to refresh the page, if you're using your computer, just press ''ctrl R''"That actually makes sense, especially because the ordinary Midwestern setting makes the strange parts of Naomi’s experiences feel even more out of place.
Do we have anyone else, that still have one thing or the other to ask?
Sally wrote: "Gary wrote: "Why did you choose the title The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley?What does the word “odyssey” mean to you in relation to Naomi’s experiences?"
The Midwestern placement of her 're..."
Denise, it is I think mostly "tongue in cheek" - I was I think, focusing on the humor most of the time, but once in a while one of my own personal opinions about the world would show up in my mind and I' would find a way to have it be Mrs. Billingsley's opinion.
Before we officially close our discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, we’d love to hear from the readers one last time.What stayed with you most after reading Naomi’s story? Was there a particular moment, idea, or aspect of Naomi’s journey that you found especially memorable?
And if you could tell Sally Stevens one thing about your experience with the book, what would it be?
Feel free to share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or simply a message for Sally. Let’s give her a chance to hear directly from the readers before we bring this discussion to a close. 📚
Before we officially close our discussion of The Odyssey of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley, we’d love to hear from the readers one last time.What stayed with you most after reading Naomi’s story? Was there a particular moment, idea, or aspect of Naomi’s journey that you found especially memorable?
And if you could tell Sally Stevens one thing about your experience with the book, what would it be?
Feel free to share your thoughts, reflections, questions, or simply a message for Sally. Let’s give her a chance to hear directly from the readers before we bring this discussion to a close. 📚
Thank you, dear Jenn - I would love to hear our readers' thoughts! When I first started sharing Mrs. Billingsley, in my workshops - it was very hard for some folks to get past the fresh bullet wound in her forehead. It does require TOTAL abandonment of disbelief!! But for other readers, they just rolled right along with it!
Naomi’s story really stayed with me. There’s something special about creating a character who can make readers question what they think they understand.
Sally, I hope you continue giving us stories with this kind of imagination. You clearly have a voice worth hearing.
And if anyone wishes to, or has the time to send a personal note, you could use: Stevenssally123@gmail.com
We are delighted to have Sally join us as we explore the imaginative, humorous, and thought-provoking world of Mrs. Naomi Billingsley.
Naomi’s extraordinary stories begin as an escape from the ordinary routines of her Midwestern life. However, as some of her seemingly impossible experiences begin to appear as though they may have actually happened, the boundaries between fantasy and reality become increasingly uncertain.
Her relationship with her psychiatrist also takes an unexpected turn, raising questions about identity, perception, ambition, and who truly understands whom.