A memoir feels very vulnerable. And, I wanted to be true to my memories, yet still honor all of the characters in the story with dignity. 

Rebecca Stirling – 13 August 2022

The Back Flap

This is the story of Rebecca Stirling’s childhood: a young girl raised by the sea, by men, and by literature. Circumnavigating the world on a thirty-foot sailboat, the Stirlings spend weeks at a time on the open ocean, surviving storms and visiting uncharted islands and villages. Ushered through her young life by a father who loves adventure, women, and extremes, Rebecca befriends “working girls” in the ports they visit (as they are often the only other females present in the bars that they end up in) and, on the boat, falls in love with her crewmate and learns to live like the men around her. But her driven nature and the role models in the books she reads make her determined to be a lady, continue her education, begin a career, live in a real home, and begin a family of her own. Once she finally gets away from the boat and her dad and sets to work upon making her own dream a reality, however, Rebecca begins to realize life is not what she thought it would be—and when her father dies in a tragic accident, she must return to her old life to sift through the mess and magic he has left behind.

About the book

What is the book about?

A young girl raised by a father who circumnavigates the globe on a thirty foot sailboat.

When did you start writing the book?

2017

How long did it take you to write it?

2 1/2 years

Where did you get the idea from?

Our family friend asked me to write the story of his sailing adventures, which overlapped with sailing with my father and me, and ultimately inspired my father to sail. When I brought the completed work (five years of writing!) to agent and publishers, they wanted to know more about why I was writing his story, and wanted to learn more of the perspective of the young girl on the boat. I unearthed my journals, found old photos, and began again.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Yes. I struggle with the fact that this is a ‘memoir.’ Though the story is true, I had originally wanted it to be published as a novel, as it is a story, and a novel feels less personal. A memoir feels very vulnerable. And, I wanted to be true to my memories, yet still honor all of the characters in the story with dignity.

This was challenging mostly with my father, my mother, and my father’s girlfriends. My father is no longer alive so it is a bit easier to be honest, and I hope it comes through that I love and admire him for his drive and adventure, although he was challenging to live with. My mother is still here. It took me years to understand why she left, and writing this book helped me understand that. We are now close. It is challenging for a young girl to have a stream of girlfriends come into their lives and act as ‘moms,’ when you know they will likely not last long. There was frustration around that larger picture more than anything personal.

What came easily?

Writing in general. I love writing and discovering what comes through when you dedicate time to being present with a story.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

All characters are real life people. Memory is a bit distorted as many of them were only in my life briefly and many years ago. Names have changed.We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Absolutely. I love and have been greatly inspired by: Cheryl Strayed, Lidia Yuchnavitch, Doris Lessing, Mary Karr, Pam Houston and Edna Obrien for their honesty and insight into worlds and situations I may not be privy to; Kaitlin B. Curtice, Wade Davis, Jamaica Baldwin for their exploration of cultures, identity, relationships, religion, and identity. I love Catherynne Valente, Alice Monroe, and Ursula Le Guin for their creativity and their offering of perspectives and ideas I may not be able to reach on my own.

Do you have a target reader?

Anyone interested in adventure and investigating with honesty issues crucial to our earth and humankind.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I have a regular writing group in which much of my material is generated. I have a journal that I write in often. Sometimes I record ideas if I am not able to write them down.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I usually write chunks of generative content, and then use the app Scrivener to organize them in to chapters and sections.Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I wait until I am finished.

Did you hire a professional editor

Yes

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I learned about hybrid publishing from Brooke Warner and She Writes Press at the Kauai Writers Conference and my correspondence with them opened a lot of opportunity for me.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Professionally

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a marketing plan that I devised. It is simple and clear.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Be prepared to create a community of writers, bookstores, libraries, readers and friends to help support you in launching your book. Know that you need to do the footwork to get your book out there. Don’t be discouraged. Make sure your final draft is really what you want in public!

About You

Where did you grow up?

Between the mountains of Colorado and the oceans on our boat.

Where do you live now?

Between Colorado and Kauai

What would you like readers to know about you?

That I am honoured and blessed to be a part of the writing community.

What are you working on now?

Two novels. One a continuation of the sailing adventures of our family friend. The second a novel investigating the interactions of cultures, lands, religions and business practices in an increasingly global community through a story line of characters.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of The Shell and the Octopus from Amazon US or Amazon UK.