This historical novel is inspired by my maternal grandmother’s life.
Christine Gallagher Kearney – 29 September 2023
The Back Flap
In 1947, war bride Ursula arrives in Minneapolis torn between guilt over leaving loved ones behind and her desire to start a new life—and a family—in this promised land. But the American dream proves elusive—she is struck with polio, and then shocked by the sudden death of her GI husband.
Without a spouse or the child she so desperately wanted, Ursula must rely on her shrewd survival skills from wartime Berlin, and she takes in a boarder to help make ends meet. She soon falls in love with the Argentinean medical technician living in her spare bedroom, but his devotion to communism troubles her—and when she finds herself pregnant with his child, she is faced with a dilemma: how to reconcile her dream of motherhood with an America that is so different from what she imagined.
About the book
What is the book about?
In 1947, war bride Ursula arrives in Minneapolis torn between guilt over leaving loved ones behind and her desire to start a new life and a family. But the American dream proves elusive—she is struck with polio, and then shaken by the sudden death of her GI husband. Based on a true story, this World War II novel considers the lengths to which we’ll go to improve our lives and the ways we cope with unexpected setbacks.
When did you start writing the book?
The idea for this book originated at StoryStudio Chicago in Annette Gendler’s “Advanced Memoir Workshop.” I was trying to write about the first time I met Ursula, my maternal grandmother, but the story stopped and started. I had a clear memory of the encounter, but only enough for a creative nonfiction essay. That’s when I decided to get to know Ursula on the page as a fictional character.
How long did it take you to write it?
From start to finish, this book took six years to complete.
Where did you get the idea from?
This historical novel is inspired by my maternal grandmother’s life.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
In the beginning, the hardest part was letting go of the real Ursula to write the fictional Ursula. Because this is historical fiction, the research at times was difficult; it was easy to get lost in details. Toward the end of the process, especially once the manuscript was finished, I found the first rounds of developmental edits extremely difficult because it seemed as if I was taking apart my book. Which, in many ways I was. I had to take it apart to put it back together again.
What came easily?
Remaining curious about Ursula and her story. My mom was my research partner on this book, and it was a tremendous experience to work alongside her. She kept me motivated and engaged in the research.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The characters are inspired by Ursula and the people who were in her life but, ultimately, all are fictitious.
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?
Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum influenced how I understood what a German woman would carry with her throughout her life post-WWII, and how to capture that experience on the page. Cristina García’s Here in Berlin gave me deep insight into how the past haunts the present, and the beautiful writing gives the book a wonderful sense of place.
Do you have a target reader?
I think this book would be great for a women’s book club, but men have enjoyed reading it too.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
Earlier in my writing career, I often wrote longhand in notebooks. Now I tend to draft on my computer in Word. I would love to get back to longhand writing but I find my thoughts are too quick for my pen sometimes. I get frustrated trying to write fast enough in my terrible handwriting!
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
For What We Leave Behind I created a rough outline, but mostly flew by the seat of my pants. However, once I got to the deeper editing stage, I had to think more thoroughly about the plot and character arc by asking myself if what I had on the page amounted to a fully formed story.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I edit as I go by writing chapters, then revising them. I like to print my chapters and read and revise on the train to work. The movement helps me concentrate and I find I’m able to solve problems quite quickly while I’m traveling, whether by train, bus or airplane. Then, once everything’s on the page, I complete a full developmental read (or three) of the manuscript. That’s when the story comes alive and that’s where I’m able to patch up holes, remove things that aren’t moving the story forward and ensure consistency across the whole book.
Did you hire a professional editor?
In the beginning, I worked with Kathleen Furin, a writing coach and developmental editor. Later, once I had the entire manuscript completed, I worked with a writer friend (thank you Susan) and a small but powerful writing group (thank you Kathy and Shoshanna). Lorraine Fico-White, a She Writes Press editor, completed light developmental editing and copy edits.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Perhaps I’m peculiar, but I do not listen to music while I write. I find it distracting.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
Yes, but I was not successful in securing an agent with the manuscript that eventually became What We Leave Behind. Later this year, I will query agents for my second book – a work of contemporary fiction that is nearly completed.
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 She Writes Press from Deborah Siegel, an early founder of She Writes. Deborah was my mentor and editor from the initial OpEd Project Public Voices cohort at DePaul University. When I published my first op-ed on women’s leadership in January 2013, I got to understand the power of putting my voice into the world. In that moment, I had the attention of Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill and her staff as I commented on the unintended consequences of her tweets about an incoming group of congresswomen. As I read more about the power of She Writes, I knew immediately that I wanted to be a part of the press’s growth.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The She Write Press team supports the book cover design. I am delighted with the book cover Julie Metz designed. It’s beautiful!
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
To give my book the best possible debut, I am working with Books Forward PR. Jackie Karneth, my publicist, is incredible. I highly recommend them and their work.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Early in my writing career, I had the misconception that someone was going to tell me to write. There are likely few people who will ever tell you to write (apart from other writers and supportive friends and family). You have to tell yourself to write and then you need to take your writing seriously enough to accomplish your goals, and even then, there’s an element of luck.
In June, I attended a writing workshop in Iceland. As part of that experience, Isaac Fitzgerald New York Times best-selling author of Dirtbag, Massachusetts, described his writing journey as having three elements: patience, community and luck. I love that, and I think it rings true for me, too. I would especially like to emphasize community. Without my writing community, I would not be writing today. So to newbie indie authors, I encourage you to build your community because you need them and they need you.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in the Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Where do you live now?
I call Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood home.
What would you like readers to know about you?
When I’m not writing and reading, I make pottery at Lillstreet Ceramics and do CrossFit at Feast Fitness. Both of these communities are wonderful supporters of my book and I am deeply grateful for them. My husband and dachshund love to go for walks and enjoy the city together.
What are you working on now?
I am at work on my next novel about a dead whale, grief and climate change. People have asked if this book has anything to do with my debut, but it’s wildly different and I am really excited about it. I will have a completed manuscript in the fall.
Beyond that, I’m playing with ideas for my third novel (thinking: main character energy, influences from the Enneagram and a collective 35th birthday party) and I’m outlining a memoir in essays.
End of Interview:
For more from Christine Gallagher Kearney, visit her website.
Get your copy of What We Leave Behind from Amazon US or Amazon UK.