WORDS WITH AUTHOR FRIENDS, INAUGURAL EDITION: KELSEY CROWE
There is a line in my book that my friends and family will recognize as true: “I’ve always hated being the center of attention, even on my birthday.” In this case, perhaps that line should be edited to read “even on my own blog.”
I’ve promised that this blog will give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a debut author, but that would make this blog all about me. (Cf: paragraph above.) So I’ve decided to introduce a recurring feature: Words with Author Friends. As I roam the country shamelessly picking the brains of my friends who happen to also be authors, I’d like to share their insights and wisdom with you.
First up, my dear friend Kelsey Crowe. Kelsey and I worked together for several years on the all-volunteer board of a breast cancer non-profit. Widely recognized as an “empathy expert,” Kelsey collaborated with quirky greeting card superstar (four words that don’t often go together) Emily McDowell to write a much-needed book about how to help a friend or loved one navigate through grief, loss, illness, or other difficult situation.
Kelsey and I talked at her charming home in San Francisco, devouring an array of pastries from award-winning bakery Arsicault and soaking in the sunshine on her flower-filled patio. Yes, it was as idyllic as it sounds. As smart and sympathetic and funny as Kelsey seems in her book, she is ten times more so in person. I’m supremely grateful to call her my friend and very happy to introduce her to you.
Name: Kelsey Crowe
Book Title: There is No Good Card for This: What to Do and Say when Life is Scary, Awful, and Unfair to People you Love
Favorite Book(s): Far from the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity by Andrew Solomon, and Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar by Cheryl Strayed (one of my favorites too!)
Favorite Local Bookstore: Dog Eared Books in the Mission, San Francisco
What advice would you give an aspiring author: Don't be afraid of an editor.
What surprised you the most as a new author: The exhaustion of the marketing phase, the constant asking for help in networking your work, and most of all, the amazing feeling of others being excited by your work.
What are you working on next: Another kind of difficult conversation among those in families with political differences.
In the movie version of your life, who would you want to play you: My daughter :)
Any final thoughts: So long as we don't harm others; so long as we offer people curiosity about their lives, and mindfulness about our own, then there is no need to compare our stories.