Author Q & A
1. Sisters and Husbands is the sequel to Sisters and Lovers, your first novel. What was it like revisiting the three sisters after 15 years?
It felt almost like a family reunion, and I honestly get teary eyed thinking about it at times. Beverly, Charmaine and Evelyn hold a special place in my heart because it all started with them, and Sisters and Lovers was so enormously popular. It succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. I think it took me 15 years to revisit them only because Sisters and Lovers was my first novel, and I wanted to try other topics with new characters. Now that I've done that, I was more than ready to go back to the women who helped launch my career as a novelist. Also, my life has changed so much over the period, and I was ready to share and explore some of my recent experiences—such as marriage--through the sisters.
2. How has your career changed over the years?
There are two answers to that question. The writing part is basically the same. Writing is hard work. It's also a fairly lonely pursuit. But it has tremendous rewards that make it more than worthwhile, one of the best being the freedom you have to determine your work schedule. No clocks to punch, no boss hanging over your shoulder. Of course, that freedom must come with responsibility and discipline on the writer's part or you won't survive in this business. I sometimes work more hours than I would if I had a nine to five gig. This is all just as true now as it was when I wrote Sisters and Lovers.
I think what has changed for me most has been the business side of writing, particularly when it comes to promoting my work. I'm a reserved and sort of private person. I don't open up easily or willingly until I get to know you. I'd prefer to just write and leave the selling to others. But you can't in this business, and that's even truer now than it was 15 years ago for a number of reasons, such as increased competition and changing market preferences. Although I'll never be 100% comfortable with it, I think I'm getting better at promoting myself and my work.
3. What are you working on next?
Another relationship novel but one with a twist. The theme is a basic one: money doesn't buy happiness or love. It's about a woman who wins a few million dollars in the lottery and thinks the money will solve all her problems. Of course, it doesn't. I firmly believe that happiness comes from within.
I remember traveling to Dakar, Senegal, years ago with my best friend. We visited with people who lived in huts on the outskirts of the city. They weren't starving or anything. They could catch fish in the sea and pluck fruit from trees. They didn't have many of the luxury items that we've come to crave or think we're entitled to here in the U.S., but they were full of joy. My girlfriend and I sat in front of a fire on the beach with a group of Africans, and it was the most peaceful moment watching the sea and sky and engaging in good conversation as the sun went down. I was utterly content.
The poorest or unluckiest person on the planet can still be happy. The richest can be miserable. I've always known that and the point was reinforced for me last year, when I went through the worst summer of my life. I had a few really bad months and I still have bad moments. But when I came out of my fog and realized that I was still a happy person and contented with my life, I was amazed. I think I would bounce back from just about anything. Sometimes we have to experience tragedy or life on the other side to realize or remember what's really important.
