Behind the Book: An imaginary character interviews a real-live author

So often the author interviews the heroine of their upcoming novel.

Not this time. 

Ginnifer Goodwin: the inspiration for Kendall Haynes of Catch a Falling Star

Just because I’m imaginary doesn’t mean I can’t hijack this blog!

 Kendall, it’s my blog.

 True, but Catch a Falling Star opens on my less-than-happy birthday. Have you ever wanted to skip a birthday?

Everybody wants to skip a birthday at some point in their lives.

You’re being vague—be specific.

Well, turning 40 didn’t bother me, but for some reason, the thought of turning 41 did.  And then I ended up “celebrating” that birthday finding out I was pregnant. The mother of three teenagers—and pregnant!

Whoa! How’d you celebrate?

By laying over the side of the bed and holding onto a bucket. Can you say all-day morning sickness?

Couldn’t your doctor help you with that?

I’m married to a doctor, Kendall—

I know. That’s why I’m a family physician, right?

Why waste real life experience and 24-hour access to my “expert” whenever I had questions?

Is my practice, Rocky Mountain Family Practice, similar to your husband’s practice?

 

A view out of Kendall’s loft

My husband is a solo family physician in Colorado, just like you are in Catch a Falling Star.  But he doesn’t live in a loft above his office.  That was a bit of creativity on my part.

I love my loft. And my waveless pool. Thanks for those.

You’re welcome.  It’s fun to spend imaginary money when I write a novel. The overall design of your office reflects my husband’s office—and your staff prays before the workday begins, just like my husband’s staff does.

Can we talk about why you made me 36 years old? I mean, couldn’t I have been a sweet young twenty-something?

If you were twenty-something, Kendall, you’d still be in medical school, which changes the entire plot of Catch a Falling Star. And besides, how believable would it be if you were a 21- or 22-year-old lamenting how life hasn’t turned out the way you planned?

Good points.

But, more importantly, I wanted you to be 36 because older women—

Hey!

Ahem. Women in their 30s and 40s—and older—fall in love.  And I wanted to write a romance about one of those women.

Couldn’t the romance have been a little less complicated?

Is romance ever not complicated, Kendall?

Not for me.

Exactly.

Was there one thing you wanted readers to learn from Catch a Falling Star?

Releases May 7, 2013 (Howard Books)

Did you learn anything?

Lots of things—but the one thing I’ll share here is that love is worth the wait. Gosh, that sounds so clichéd. How about the guy who looks all wrong for you just may be Mr. Right? Or it’s best to hold onto dreams loosely . . .

You’re full of wisdom, aren’t you?

Did I learn what you wanted me to learn?

Sometimes I was as surprised by what you learned as you were.

What? I thought you had the story all planned out.

I did. But plans—both in real life and in fiction—change.

They do, indeed. And I’m good with that.