Sep 29, 2009

Interview With Cathy Marie Buchanan

I already reviewed The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan earlier in September for the Amazon Vine Program; click on the link for my full review. After posting my review, I discovered Buchanan was on a blog tour for her book.

I was happy to learn that she would answer a few questions and sponsor a book giveaway for my readers and its international. Please give Cathy Marie Buchanan a warm welcome.
1. Was the main character Bess modeled on the real wife of William "Red" Hill, whom the character of Tom Cole is based? Or is she based upon yourself or people you know?
 
(Please see the following photo provided by Cathy Marie Buchanan, courtesy of the Niagara Falls (Ontario) Public Library): "Red Hill Junior moments before his fateful plunge"

In the very first bit of The Day the Falls Stood Still that I wrote−it’s long since been scrapped−Bess was an old woman, bitter and hateful of the river. I’d conjured her up from the little I knew of Red Hill’s wife, who was quoted as saying she hated the river, that she was afraid of it. 

In addition to being a hero, Red Hill was a daredevil. He risked his life shooting the Whirlpool Rapids in a barrel three times. In 1951 the eldest of the couple’s sons died attempting to go over the falls in a barrel constructed of inflated rubber tubes, canvas and fishing nets, and another son was killed in an accident in a hydroelectric diversion tunnel under the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario. 

Clearly, she had cause to hate the river. She is where I started with Bess Heath, but once I decided not to incorporate the daredevil side of Red Hill into Tom Cole−that his reverence for the river would run too high for that−Bess evolved into the strong, intelligent, supportive woman I hope readers find in between the covers of the book.

2. What prompted the inclusion of the mock newspaper articles? Was that your idea or something the publisher wanted to include?


I have to give my clever U.S. editor, Sarah Landis, credit for the idea of incorporating the newspaper articles. After reading an earlier version of the manuscript, Sarah came back with the comment that she wanted to know more about Niagara’s fascinating lore and suggested that newspaper articles might be an interesting way of adding more of the stories.


3. For a debut novel, The Day The Falls Stood Still, is incredibly stunning. Niagara Falls is a great location for this emotionally charged story. Do you have plans to write additional books in this setting?


Born and bred in Niagara Falls, I grew up awash in an endless stream of local lore─the Maid of the Mist and her canoe, Sir Isaac Brock and the War of 1812, Blondin and his tightrope, Annie Taylor and her barrel, William “Red” Hill and his daring rescues, Sir Adam Beck and hydroelectricity, Roger Woodward and the miracle at Niagara.  

With such a storied past and the staggering beauty of the falls themselves, it’s tough to definitively say that I won’t write about the area again. Still, I think I’ve told the story I wanted to tell about Niagara Falls. I’m currently working on a story set in and around the Paris Opera in the 1880s.

4. Most writers are readers. Name five of the last books you read and enjoyed. 

 

I discovered Donna Morrissey this year, first reading What They Wanted. I loved it, and I loved Sylvanus Now, too. No one does the Newfoundlander voice like Morrissey. No one makes you feel the feral beauty of Newfoundland in quite the same way. Another favourite was Laura Moriarty’s While I’m Falling. I happened to be reading it when Elle came out with its September reader’s picks, books that were subsequently pitted against one another in a reader vote. 

I was thrilled to find The Day the Falls Stood Still included in the picks, particularly considering that the other two books on the list were new novels by former Grand Prix Book-of-the-Year winners. My book came in a very close second to While I'm Falling, the very book I was savouring. 

The most recent book to knock my socks off was Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge, a collection of linked stories. In every story, she shows a remarkable understanding of human nature. Over the years I’ve read loads of books to my boys. The book that most stands out from the last year is John Boyne’s The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I read it with my eleven-year-old, and I think we loved it equally.

Photo Credit: Nigel Dickson

5. You hold a BSc (Honours Biochemistry) and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario. What was the turning point in your life that prompted you to write novels and short stories?

I spent my teenage years disgracing myself in English, often getting upwards of 20 percent deducted for spelling mistakes on high school English exams. When it came time to head off to university, I picked my courses using the criteria that I wouldn’t have to write−that is spell−a single thing. Hence, the BSc and MBA. 

I spent the bulk of my non-writing work life at IBM. By then spell-check had been invented, and I took a night school creative writing course, on a whim really. I was smitten, and soon enough I wanted more time to write than that tiny gap that existed between scrubbing my children clean and falling into bed myself. I quit my corporate job and have been writing five days a week while my boys are at school ever since.

I hope you enjoyed the interview with Cathy Marie Buchanan and learning about Niagara Falls.  Please check out the book trailer.

Also, check out the Sept. 30, 2009, teleseminar for the end of Cathy Marie Buchanan's Virtual Book Tour:
  • What: Going Over the Falls: A Telephone Chat With Cathy Marie Buchanan
  • When: 3:00 pm EST on September 30th
  • Who: Anyone who is interested
  • How: Just dial telephone number 718-290-9983, and enter conference ID code 100925# when promted.  Free, except for normal long distance charges.
  • More info:  http://overthefalls.eventbrite.com/
***Here's the audio clip link of the teleseminar.***


Hyperion Books and Cathy Marie Buchanan have offered 1 copy of The Day the Falls Stood Still to one lucky reader of my blog anywhere in the world.

To Enter:

1.  Leave a comment on this interview about what you found most interesting.
2.  Leave a comment on the book review and let me know on this post.
3.  Tweet, Blog, Facebook, or spread the word and leave me a link or comment on this post.

Deadline is October 9, 2009, 11:59PM EST.


35 comments:

Mystica said...

Is it lucky to be the first! I've read so many reviews of this book and also read very interesting trivia on the falls in general which make it very interesting to get the book to read!

Mystica

mystica123athotmaildotcom

ccqdesigns said...

I found it very interesting that her editor actually had her add the newspaper stories to the book. I guess I didn't know that editors did so much.

I am a long time follower on google reader.

rebecca dot cox at charter dot net

ccqdesigns said...

I left a comment on your book review. This is one book that is a must read for me. Hydroelectric dams are in my blood. I grew up with my father and grandfather working on one. I spent hours climbing around the insides of Wilson Dam. I know every tunnel and every story the old men told.

ccqdesigns said...

Here's a tweet.
http://www.savvyverseandwit.com/2009/09/interview-with-cathy-marie-buchanan.html

rebecca dot cox at charter dot net

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I always enjoy finding out what writers are reading these days.

Thanks for the contest!

amanda n.
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)com

A Bookshelf Monstrosity said...

I posted this on my blog:

http://bookshelfmonstrosity.blogspot.com/2009/09/notable-giveaways-on-blogosphere.html

amanda n.
fitz12383(at)hotmail(dot)Com

Emily @ Books, the Universe & Everything said...

Great interview Serena! I liked learning a bit more about Cathy Marie Buchanan, especially the books that she's reading.

(I don't need to be entered into the giveaway since I already have a copy.)

Care said...

Fabulous interview! I do enjoy reading the backgrounds and how writers find their calling.

Ti said...

I love to hear what authors are reading. Good question!

Anonymous said...

About the interview, I found it interesting that Cathy was such an awful speller. So glad she stuck with writing!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

About the book review ... I love that the story is located in Niagara Falls, one of my most favourite places to visit! The book sounds awesome!
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Iliana said...

I remember your review of the book and thinking it sounded so interesting. I especially like that it has the inclusion of mock news articles... I've read a couple of novels that have had something similar and when it works, it works really well. It makes you think this really could happen, etc.

Thanks for another great interview, Serena!

mpartyka said...

No need to enter in the drawing - my BC is reading Cathy's book early next year. Thanks for this post!

Author's like Cathy contribute so much to BC's.

bermudaonion said...

Great interview! I find it fascinating that she holds degrees in science and chooses to write books. No need to enter me.

Anonymous said...

I always love to see what writers read. It gives me a little insight. I'd love to be entered in this giveaway.
stacybooks at yahoo

Jeannie said...

Welcome, Ms. Buchanan! :D

What a great interview. I am always interested in what authors read. And this book sounds like it has a lot of depth. Very intriguing!

Thank you Serena and Ms. Buchanan.

P.S. No need to enter me. I am trying to stick to Kindle books or checking books out at the library.

Pam said...

I found it interesting that she found herself "disgraced" in English and then became a writer!

melacan at hotmail dot com

Pam said...

commented on your review

melacan at hotmail dot com

Cathy Marie Buchanan said...

Thanks for hosting the Q&A, Serena. I'm stil a terible speler.

Linda said...

I'm fascinated by the fact that this book is based on a real person. And tho't it interesting that the author mentioned a book I read recently (Boy in the Striped Pajamas) and I also enjoyed it. I commented on the review of this book that I like books about Buffalo because of a family connection. Please enter me in the giveaway.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

holdenj said...

I thought it was interesting that she added mock newspaper interviews. I'm sure there was a frenzy with the press back when it all opened up.

I also posted on your review article.
Thanks for the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

> deducted for spelling mistakes on
> high school English exams. When it
> came time to head
BTW, on this topic, there is a good spell check program Spell Check Anywhere (SpellCheckAnywhere.Com). It works in all programs.

Anna said...

What a great interview! I'm looking forward to reading this book. No need to enter me, as I already have a copy, but I added the giveaway to my sidebar anyway. :)

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the fact that Cathy Marie Buchanan was born and bred in the Niagra Falls area.

a great interview.

please count me in.

karen k
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bridget said...

Just blogged about this on Win A Book. No need to enter me.

Tam @ Bailey's and Books said...

I always like to see what other writers are reading and was struck by her thoughts on Olive Kitteridge.

Please enter me for your giveaway - baileysandbooks at gmail dot com.

Thanks!

Amanda said...

Great interview! I love the part where she avoided writing in college...and now she's an author. Too funny. I look forward to reading this and love that there are newspaper articles included. The history is a major part of why I want to read it.

Thanks!

nycbookgirl at gmail dot com

Strangelove said...

Being a Chemical engineer myself with a love for writing, her words on her "career path" really spoke to me!

carlos_durao AT hotmail DOT com

pippirose said...

Great interview!
I always like knowing what writers themselves read.
:o)
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I am a new follower and would like to be included in this giveaway.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

J.T. Oldfield said...

The most interesting thing to me was the part about why she included the newspaper clippings at the suggestion of her editor.

I follow you on Google Reader and Tweeted about this!

j.t.oldfield[at]gmail.com

Edu Chico said...

I liked the way she revealed a little bit about the cooperative process with the editor.
;)

educhico AT gmail DOT com

Maria D said...

Definetly will have to say the reading recommendations she gives.

dr.strangelove.vs.citizen.kane
AT
gmail.com

Jafantunes said...

The promise of a novel around the 1880s Paris Opera is the best of this interview.
The ambiance should be great!
I hope she writes it soon enough!

o_rei_de_havana AT hotmail DOT com

Nancye said...

I think it's kind of funny/cool that the author use to not spell very well.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net