Q&A with Lynn Kilpatrick discussion

I'm excited that my first book, a collection of short stories, In The House, is available. The book collects stories I wrote over several years, but they have a common theme: the domestic. Most of the stories are about women in houses. Some of the stories have a dark feel, meditating on violence and anxiety; some of the stories are funny.
I'd love to answer questions about any aspect of this collection. I look forward to your questions!

As you know, I am thrilled about your book! I cannot wait to get it in my hands. One thing that bothers me greatly both as a writer and reader is the ghettoization of women writers into women's writers. I was wondering if because your stories are more experimental whether this is less of a concern for you, even though these stories often revolve around the domestic.

rae wrote: "As you know, I am thrilled about your book! I cannot wait to get it in my hands. One thing that bothers me greatly both as a writer and reader is the ghettoization of women writers into women's wri..."

Hi Rae!! I think that is always a concern, but perhaps you are right, that in this collection experimental form trumps subject matter. But also I think in this collection my depiction of the domestic is somewhat warped (i.e. the prevalence of knives...). But in general I think you are correct, that writing by women is perceived as writing for women only. I think short stories aren't really popular enough to be pigeon holed, mostly they are ignored!
Let's hope that doesn't happen to this collection.
Thanks for the question!!

Lynn,
Thanks for your recommendations on some books/authors that have influenced you. I wonder if by warping the idea of domesticity in your book, that you may actually be changing the way domestic is looked at? As they are experimental, how do they read to an audience? Looking forward to reading it.

Donna wrote: "Lynn,
Thanks for your recommendations on some books/authors that have influenced you. I wonder if by warping the idea of domesticity in your book, that you may actually be changing the way domesti..."

Hi Donna.
I think you're right, that I want readers to have a new perspective on the domestic, or perhaps to revisit the domestic and see the same issues (women, children, houses, routine, etc.) in a new way. They are experimental formally, which I think invites a new perspective. Some of them are experimental in the way they present point-of-view as well. I'm not sure how readers will perceive the "experimental" nature of the stories. Many of them are pretty traditional. Maybe you can weigh in on that once you've read them?
Thanks!!
Lynn