An Interview with Tess Thompson
The Reading Cafe is happy to welcome Tess Thompson as our guest today. She is here to discuss her new book, Riverbend, (our reviews are below this post), which was just recently released, and to tell us a little bit about herself.
Before our Interview with Tess, let’s find out a little bit about her.
Tess Thompson is a novelist and playwright. She has a BFA in Drama from the University of Southern California.
After some success as a playwright she decided to write a novel, a dream she’d held since childhood. She began working on her first novel, Riversong while her second daughter was eight months old, writing during naptimes and weekends. She considers it a small miracle and the good-nature of her second child (read: a good napper) that it was ever finished. Riversong was released in April 2011 by Booktrope, a Seattle publisher and subsequently became a #1 Nook book and Kindle best seller. Learn more about Booktrope at www.booktrope.com
Like her main character in Riversong, Tess is from a small town in Southern Oregon. She currently lives in Snoqualmie, Washington with her two small daughters where she is inspired daily by the view of the Cascade Mountains from her home office window.
She was an active member of the theatre community in Seattle as an actor and director during the late nineties. In 2000 she wrote her first full-length play, My Lady’s Hand which subsequently won the 2001 first place prize for new work at the Burien Theatre.
A voracious reader, Tess’s favorite thing to do is to curl up on a rainy afternoon and read a novel. She also enjoys movies, theatre, wine and food. She is fed emotionally by her friends and family and cherishes relationships above all else.
Now let’s meet Tess.
Hi Tess. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.
TRC: Will you please tell us about yourself?
Tess: First, thanks so much for having me. I’m a novelist and mother of two girls,age 7and 10. I live in a suburb of Seattle and am a completely ordinary person, including the ownership of a minivan we affectionately refer to as the “White Whale”. I’m recently divorced, after a twelve year marriage, so this year’s been personally difficult despite great professional success with the books.
TRC: I see on your website that you wrote a play, before embarking on writing your first novel. What made you decide to write a novel, and what are the differences between writing a play and a novel?
Tess: I decided to turn to novels after my first play won a local contest, which included a production. Seeing the play made me understand that the type of stories I wanted to tell (love stories with happy endings) are not really edgy enough for the sensibility of the American theatre. I want to write work that not only entertains but also inspires readers and makes them happy. Women’s fiction is better suited for my ‘voice’.
A play is more limiting and presents unique challenges, in my opinion. With a novel one can describe every detail you want the reader to know about, whereas with a play you’re reliant upon actors, designers and the director.
TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?
Tess: Everything. Just kidding. Well, not really. Writing is my passion, but it’s hard work.Some days inspiration comes more easily than others. I call those the ‘flow’ days. My goal is to paint pictures with my words and to write page-turners. It’s always a challenge when you’re really close to something to know if it’s page-turner worthy. So, for me, it’s the inner critic and self-doubt that is the most challenging in the whole process.
TRC: Can you tell how you came up with the idea of Riversong, your first novel? What is the premise of this series, and how many books are you planning?
Tess: I wanted to set a story in a small town in southern Oregon similar to the one I grew up in because I know that world so well and I think small towns are ripe with drama and quirky characters. Then, I imagined the worst thing that could happen to a woman like me, or one of my friends, and gave Lee Tucker that problem. One of the main premises of the series is to ‘save the town’ by turning it into a tourist destination. With each book in the collection, the gang of misfits gets closer to their goal. I believe there will be five books in the series all together. I keep saying just one more but then the characters beg me to tell their stories and I end up with another one.
Link to order Riversong: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
TRC: Riverbend, which was just recently released, is your second book in this series. Would you please give us a brief description of Riverbend?
Tess: Just as Annie Bell’s reputation as one of the best chefs in the Pacific Northwest grows to new heights, she receives a threatening phone call from her abusive ex-boyfriend. Marco is out on parole and hungry for revenge, blaming her for his ten-year imprisonment. Fearing for her life and that of her young son, Annie reluctantly accepts help from Drake Webber, a cold and wealthy recluse hiding a dark history of his own. Supported by the gang of misfits from their restaurant Riversong, Annie forges ahead despite her growing terror that Marco will appear at any moment and make good on his threats.
Link to order Riverbend: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
TRC: In February of this year, you released a new standalone novel, Caramel and Magnolias. Can you please give us a brief description of this book?
Tess: Crushed by a broken heart ten years ago, Cleo Tanner walked away from her acting dreams and now leads a quiet, secluded life in Seattle. Sylvia, her best friend from college, is trapped in a loveless marriage, distraught by her inability to conceive a child – until an adoption agency owner in relentless pursuit of Cleo offers to help.
Just as Sylvia begins to experience a profound love that only a mother can feel, a detective approaches Cleo with disturbing questions about the adoption agency. Determined to protect her friend, Cleo jumps into a dangerous investigation that forces her to confront the ghosts of her past.
Link to order Caramel and Magnolias: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
TRC: Can you tell us what are you currently working on?
Tess: I’m working on the third book in the River Valley Collection, called Riverstar. A movie set comes to River Valley and the main story surrounds two characters, Ben and Bella, whom we first meet in Riverbend. Ben finds himself the prime suspect in the investigation of a murdered actress on set.
TRC: What is your writing process? Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place?
Tess: I write best in the mornings, right after I come home from the gym. I’m a creature of habit - I drop the children off at school, hit the gym and then come home to write until 3, with little breaks here and there. I write in silence – music distracts me too much unless I’m having a particularly uninspired day and then I might put some music on that touches my soul until I find my groove. I have pain and numbness in my right arm unless I sit at my desk and use my ergonomic keyboard, so I always do. I drink like four cups of herbal tea a day because I’m always cold. It’s a problem.
When I write first drafts, I write 2500 words a day, giving myself permission to write fast and furious with no inner critic along for the ride. After I have the first draft done, I go back and painstakingly sweat every word and phrase until I feel like it’s ready to show my editor. I usually send it to her before I feel totally comfortable because otherwise I could mess with it forever. She then sends me pages of notes and I’m off again.
TRC: What are your favorite things you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
Tess: Hanging out with my kids and with friends. Reading. Watching movies and television. Wine. Cooking, sometimes. Dancing. Listening to music. Watching football, especially USC and the Seahawks. Exercise. Dining out.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite Food: Sweet potatoes. And sushi. Can I have two?
Favorite Dessert: Bread pudding.
Favorite Novel: To Kill A Mockingbird and River Runs Through It. I can’t decide!
Favorite Movie: River Runs Through It.
Favorite Literary Character (Male or Female) Not your own: Atticus Finch.
Milk or Dark Chocolate: Dark.
Thank you Tess for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with Riverbend.
Tess’s Publisher Booktrope has graciously offered one lucky member of The Reading Cafe a paperback set of all three of Tess’s books (*Riversong, Riverbend and
Caramel and Magnolias*).
1. You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.
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3. Giveaway open to USA Only
4. Contests runs from June 21, to June 24, 2013
