What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
For years I’ve wanted to write a book about opposites, about why there is good and evil, heavy and light, etc. The problem was finding a set of characters who could demonstrate this. I needed a family with a pair of opposite sisters. I found exactly what I needed when I spent some time in the Wind River mountain range deep in the heart of Wyoming. At the Allen Ranch, we were guided deep into the mountains on horseback, where we spent the week hiking, fishing, and enjoying the majestic Wind River range. While there, I found the characters that helped propel the story.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Gracey—the wild-hearted, tender, land-connected sister who never felt like she fit the “golden child” mold. “Wildflowers” — Tom Petty.
Lucy—flashy, ambitious, always wanting the spotlight. “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman.
Dade—steady, inventive, patient, the character quietly holding things together. “Ho Hey” — The Lumineers.
Mary—the mother carrying decades of secrets and grief with quiet strength. “The Rose” — Bette Midler.
Sam—Gracey’s biological father, marked by loss and a kind of hard-won redemption. “The Dance” — Garth Brooks.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I like to read from any genre, provided the book is well written. A well-written book is the key for me. But if I had to choose only one, it would probably be narrative nonfiction, especially from authors like Erik Larson, Jon Krakauer, and Laura Hillenbrand. A close second would be upmarket fiction, with books from authors like Kristin Hannah. I write in both of these genres, and I love aspects of both. With literary fiction, I love the challenge of getting inside each character and trying to see life as they view it. Nonfiction is all about the discovery of some shocking story that has never been told.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The Anthony Bourdain Reader
A Far-Flung Life by M. L. Stedman
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
London Falling by Patrick Keefe
Kin by Tayari Jones
Strangers by Belle Burden
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
My favorite “fun” scene is the one where Gracey goes to Los Angeles to be with her sister, Lucy. She experiences the beach for the first time, wearing her cowboy boots and hat—a stark contrast to the beach scene in Southern California.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I live on the beach in La Jolla, California, so I’m often on the beach under an umbrella while I pluck away at the keys on my laptop.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
Never let a sunny day go to waste.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
The main idea I wanted to instill is that life isn’t about getting to one place and avoiding going to another. Life is about the ride between the ups and downs. That is what changes you and makes life meaningful. And the family setting is the perfect place to experience all of this.