Everybody's Got a Story - From the Writer's Desk: An Interview with Author, Deborah Serraval

For this edition of Everybody’s Got a Story, I sat down with Hamilton Author, Deborah Serravalle, whose debut novel, How We Danced, was just released!

The Blurb:

"Jennifer Roberts has a full life: a corporate executive husband, two young daughters and a teaching career she enjoys. When she discovers her mother is struggling to care for her dying father, she returns to the MacAulay household to help. She sees her mother hide something in the base of the old clock, and unease about her parents' unconventional relationship resurfaces. The secret she uncovers calls into question her view of her parents and of herself. Grappling with impending death, each recalls the past. Their memories differ; some are unreliable, others are contrived. Love is a constant, but it comes at a price."

Themes Within:

Some of the themes in this novel, which Deborah feels makes it a relatable story (as well as puts it to the top of my 'to-read' list) are the ideas of: Family and exploring real love. What it's like when we don't truly understand one another or when we think we understand but don't. It also explores false memories, how memories and people are different to everyone involved, and the question of 'what is truth?' How We Danced, explores what it is like to not be living our authentic life and the consequences that can have on us and those around us, when we are trying to do the right thing.

How We Danced, is about a family in crisis, trying to resolve a lifetime of confused love. Set between present day and the 1950's, the story is told

through alternating perspectives and times, through the three main characters Jennifer, Lily, and Alistair, as they struggle

with the past and the present.

Developing a love of words:

Born in Hamilton, and a graduate of McMaster University, Deborah Serravalle says her love of writing was truly acknowledged while a student at University. Finding she was much more comfortable with essay style testing, than the anxiety of typical testing methods, she found she enjoyed the writing aspect. A devoted reader, Deborah fell early for the art of the perfectly strung together sentence but her own experience with creative and fiction writing was inspired from a period of grief. From that grief she started to explore journaling and poetry. And this, inspired her to pursue her own dance with the art.

A Writer’s Ritual:

Deborah’s writing ritual is to write in the early mornings with a cup of tea, after taking her dog out. She feels as though everything else in the day is more easily dealt with once her writing is completed. Deborah likes to be organized and pulls away from the notion that all creative people are messy and unorganized. While there are some mornings where she will give herself permission to not write, most days, whether the inspiration is there or not, Deborah strives to sit down and type the words out, finding that the inspiration is often sparked once you begin.

Planned writing vs let it flow?

Many writers have strong opinions about their methods of writing, should it be delicately crafted from every detail or all free-flowing? Deborah holds the philosophy towards the craft that for her it needs to be 50/50. Enough planning and outlining to think you know you’re going, but not enough that you miss out on all of the wonderful discoveries along the way.

Getting Inspired:

Deborah feels that some of the greatest inspiration can come from stepping away from the writer's desk, going out into the world, talking to people, and reading other genres; you never know where inspiration is going to come from.

While an avid reader of all genres, styles, and authors, she emphasized on few in particular that she felt were inspiring to her. Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, was amongst her favourites. Deborah noted her admiration of Gabaldon's use of 'letting it flow' for the Outlander series. Deborah was also inspired by Gabaldon's seamless transitions between past in present, a time shift which Deborah explores in, How We Danced. Amongst the other Authors noted were Lawrence Hill, Author of, The Book of Negroes, Gail Anderson-Dargatz, Pat Conroy, Geraldine Brooks, Barbara Kingsolver, and Joseph Boyden.

Hard cover/Soft cover/E-reader?

All of the above! Deborah does not discriminate against book types, and loves them all, although she does prefer the E-reader for nighttime reading.

How We Danced, is now available !

You can find the link to purchase the book here at deborahserravalle.com, at Cactus Rain Publishing, or Amazon. Also, you can purchase from local bookstores this fall. (visit her website or check her out here on Facebook for more information as it comes out.) September 21, 2016 is the night of the Book Launch, at The Spice Factory in Hamilton. All are welcome to attend.

Thank you to Deborah Serravalle for taking the time to sit down and share some of her story with me. Join me again next month for another story from another soul.