It gives me great pleasure to welcome Kate Reynolds onto the website today. Kate's debut novel, Ernestine is a semifinalist in the 2021 annual Booklife Prize Fiction Contest selected by Publishers Weekly.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Kate.
Kate: It’s hard to remember a time when I wasn’t writing. My parents, especially my mother, encouraged all five of us to tell a good story, and that led naturally to writing. We were a large family of Irish heritage, and stories told around the dinner table were meat and drink to me, far more important than the actual food served. The anecdotes were generally told with a large dose of humor, and to this day I especially appreciate a dry wit. We lived in lots of homes when I grew up, and I suppose my parents must have liked the adventure of learning a new town or neighborhood. Because we moved so much, I can’t even remember all the schools I’ve gone to. In those times, learning so often to live among strangers, I learned the importance of family. No matter where we moved, we always had each other.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Kate: Over the years I’ve written four novels, although I’ve only published one so far. In looking back, I see a common theme of family and finding your own place in the world, despite all the obstacles encountered in forging your own life. Most of my books involve moving to a new town or country and establishing relationships that often change the main character’s perceptions and beliefs in a profound and dramatic way. But I simply can’t write a novel without some humor. I just can’t, so there’s that.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Kate: I do a huge amount of research before writing, and I always hunt for a key that unlocks a story idea. In fact. what I really want is an explosion in my head, a moment when I know I can write a novel and my own excitement will gently stew right through to the end. That leads to a synopsis.
For example, in my recently published historical novel, Ernestine, I found two intriguing details that propelled my novel forward. The first was the fact that there indeed had been a smallish convent inside The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, back in the early 1500s. This astonished me. The Alhambra once housed Moorish kings and princesses and traveling diplomats. The beautiful and gracious Alhambra was built as a palace but served also as a citadel. And then in 1492, something else happened besides Columbus sailing the ocean blue. 1492 was also the year that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand conquered the Alhambra. That stunning piece of architecture then became home to Spanish royalty. And in the early 1500s a cloister of humble Clarissa nuns inhabited the grounds that kings once trod. I find that idea stunningly beautiful. So that’s where Ernestine is set, right in the convent inside the Alhambra.
The second inciting incident that created Ernestine (at least in my mind) was a piece of knowledge I happened upon as I researched. I learned that Albrecht Dürer designed the very first flying machine. Those plans were lost to history, but if you read Ernestine, you’ll find one possible explanation for what happened to them.
So I start with one or two inspirational events and design a synopsis and story around those occurrences.
Alex: Tell us a bit about yourself, Kate.
Kate: It’s hard to remember a time when I wasn’t writing. My parents, especially my mother, encouraged all five of us to tell a good story, and that led naturally to writing. We were a large family of Irish heritage, and stories told around the dinner table were meat and drink to me, far more important than the actual food served. The anecdotes were generally told with a large dose of humor, and to this day I especially appreciate a dry wit. We lived in lots of homes when I grew up, and I suppose my parents must have liked the adventure of learning a new town or neighborhood. Because we moved so much, I can’t even remember all the schools I’ve gone to. In those times, learning so often to live among strangers, I learned the importance of family. No matter where we moved, we always had each other.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Kate: Over the years I’ve written four novels, although I’ve only published one so far. In looking back, I see a common theme of family and finding your own place in the world, despite all the obstacles encountered in forging your own life. Most of my books involve moving to a new town or country and establishing relationships that often change the main character’s perceptions and beliefs in a profound and dramatic way. But I simply can’t write a novel without some humor. I just can’t, so there’s that.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Kate: I do a huge amount of research before writing, and I always hunt for a key that unlocks a story idea. In fact. what I really want is an explosion in my head, a moment when I know I can write a novel and my own excitement will gently stew right through to the end. That leads to a synopsis.
For example, in my recently published historical novel, Ernestine, I found two intriguing details that propelled my novel forward. The first was the fact that there indeed had been a smallish convent inside The Alhambra in Granada, Spain, back in the early 1500s. This astonished me. The Alhambra once housed Moorish kings and princesses and traveling diplomats. The beautiful and gracious Alhambra was built as a palace but served also as a citadel. And then in 1492, something else happened besides Columbus sailing the ocean blue. 1492 was also the year that Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand conquered the Alhambra. That stunning piece of architecture then became home to Spanish royalty. And in the early 1500s a cloister of humble Clarissa nuns inhabited the grounds that kings once trod. I find that idea stunningly beautiful. So that’s where Ernestine is set, right in the convent inside the Alhambra.
The second inciting incident that created Ernestine (at least in my mind) was a piece of knowledge I happened upon as I researched. I learned that Albrecht Dürer designed the very first flying machine. Those plans were lost to history, but if you read Ernestine, you’ll find one possible explanation for what happened to them.
So I start with one or two inspirational events and design a synopsis and story around those occurrences.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Kate: My blurb tells it best, so here we go:
In 1526, the serene convent sitting within the red walls of the Alhambra in southern Spain faces a disturbing problem. Stung by rising taxes and faced with the impending demise of the convent, the abbess chooses to sell the magnificent abbey olives despite her vows of poverty. Into Saint Francis Abbey steps Sister Ernestine, a stranger from the north. She has come to the cloister to conclude a matter of honor despite the terror she feels in being in the land of the Great Trials. Out of the crucible of the Inquisition, Sister Ernestine helps the abbey resolve a cascade of financial difficulties. In doing so, she discovers her own courage. Ernestine is the story of the conflict that arises when a woman afraid of her own past confronts an abbey afraid of its future.
See what I mean? Lots of my work is about discovering yourself, often in new places.
I have another novel, set in Phoenix during World War II that will be out soon. Pheemie’s War is the working title, and it’s the story of a pair of teenage twins at the start of the war. Within the pages of my novel the girls must choose how they want to shape the rest of their lives. They reach and pass through a defining moment.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Kate: It was probably something out of the Dick and Jane series, very popular back in the day. However, the first book I remember loving with my heart and soul was Winter on the Johnny Smoker by Mildred Houghton Comfort. Oh, how that lady captured my imagination with this wonderful story of life on the Mississippi in a side paddle wheeler. Later she wrote Kish of India, which ignited my love for stories set in distant lands. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mildred Houghton Comfort once with my brother. She learned we were fans and invited us over for lunch one day. I’m happy I got the chance to tell her how much her work meant to me.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Kate: Tons and buckets of research. I like to have a story steep a long while in my imagination before setting it down with words. For one thing, it matters to me that I get the history right. For another, it matters that I get the story right. That takes time, and I don’t know a quick way to do that.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Kate: Yes, but I don’t tell them. Ever. Shhhhhh.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Kate: I read Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell, some months ago, and the story lingers in my mind as an example of perfection. She made me feel the devastation of Hamnet’s parents in a way I’ve (thankfully) never experienced before. Centuries after the real story took place, I grieve for Hamnet, his parents, and for everyone who has ever experienced such a tragic loss. In reading this book, I felt transported to another time and place. I can’t wait to read more of her work.
Plus, the book was beautifully written, and that draws me in like a magnet.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Kate: At the moment I am focusing on Amazon ads, but I also just stuck my toe in the Facebook marketing world by starting a page called Kate Reynolds, Author.
It seems important these days to learn to be an online marketer because that seems to be the way to reach the largest number of people, but it does feel strange to have no personal contact with a reader. I adore talking with readers, so I miss the personal interaction.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Kate: I am blessed with nearly boundless curiosity, so I have many interests. I read, of course. I read a lot and widely. You can learn as much about good writing from a compelling mystery as you can from a serious, well-crafted women’s novel. Every book teaches me something.
Cooking brings me joy, as well. There is something so lovely about presenting a beautiful plate to my husband or friends. My cat, however, does not care about lovely presentations, so I just dish his food up from the can.
Another favorite hobby of mine is birding. It’s my belief that one way to stay young is to never stop learning, and there are endless worlds to learn and know about nature. You haven’t asked me for advice, but if I were to offer just one piece, it would be to never, ever stop learning.
I turn to Qigong when I want to relax. A lot of people don’t know that Qigong is a Chinese mind/body practice that heals with gentle movements and deep breathing. It’s less strenuous that Yoga (which I also love), but even a few minutes of mild exercise leaves me feeling peaceful. I also love long walks. Nothing like a good walk to clear your mind.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Kate: Ian McEwan – Atonement is one of the finest books I know about guilt and forgiveness, something we all understand.
Cormac McCarthy – He writes so eloquently about the southwest in bygone days, a time of love and honor. I was originally intrigued by his lack of punctuation, but I quickly grew to love his stories. Some of his work is more violent than I like, but he is an awesome writer.
John Le Carré – I don’t know anyone better at creating a realistic world for his readers to explore.
S.M. Hulse – She writes beautifully about the American west and deep sorrow. Elegant prose that makes my heart sing.
Norman Maclean – His words, “Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” is one of the best sentences ever written. I’m really looking forward to reading his son’s book, Home Waters.
Kazuo Ishiguro – You can lose yourself in one of his novels. When you return, you’ll be a better person.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing world with us, Kate. And many congratulations on becoming a semifinalist for the Booklife Prize. Ernestine sounds like a fascinating read.
Kate: It's my pleasure, Alex. And thank you for inviting me over.
Kate: My blurb tells it best, so here we go:
In 1526, the serene convent sitting within the red walls of the Alhambra in southern Spain faces a disturbing problem. Stung by rising taxes and faced with the impending demise of the convent, the abbess chooses to sell the magnificent abbey olives despite her vows of poverty. Into Saint Francis Abbey steps Sister Ernestine, a stranger from the north. She has come to the cloister to conclude a matter of honor despite the terror she feels in being in the land of the Great Trials. Out of the crucible of the Inquisition, Sister Ernestine helps the abbey resolve a cascade of financial difficulties. In doing so, she discovers her own courage. Ernestine is the story of the conflict that arises when a woman afraid of her own past confronts an abbey afraid of its future.
See what I mean? Lots of my work is about discovering yourself, often in new places.
I have another novel, set in Phoenix during World War II that will be out soon. Pheemie’s War is the working title, and it’s the story of a pair of teenage twins at the start of the war. Within the pages of my novel the girls must choose how they want to shape the rest of their lives. They reach and pass through a defining moment.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Kate: It was probably something out of the Dick and Jane series, very popular back in the day. However, the first book I remember loving with my heart and soul was Winter on the Johnny Smoker by Mildred Houghton Comfort. Oh, how that lady captured my imagination with this wonderful story of life on the Mississippi in a side paddle wheeler. Later she wrote Kish of India, which ignited my love for stories set in distant lands. I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Mildred Houghton Comfort once with my brother. She learned we were fans and invited us over for lunch one day. I’m happy I got the chance to tell her how much her work meant to me.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Kate: Tons and buckets of research. I like to have a story steep a long while in my imagination before setting it down with words. For one thing, it matters to me that I get the history right. For another, it matters that I get the story right. That takes time, and I don’t know a quick way to do that.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Kate: Yes, but I don’t tell them. Ever. Shhhhhh.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Kate: I read Hamnet, by Maggie O’Farrell, some months ago, and the story lingers in my mind as an example of perfection. She made me feel the devastation of Hamnet’s parents in a way I’ve (thankfully) never experienced before. Centuries after the real story took place, I grieve for Hamnet, his parents, and for everyone who has ever experienced such a tragic loss. In reading this book, I felt transported to another time and place. I can’t wait to read more of her work.
Plus, the book was beautifully written, and that draws me in like a magnet.
Alex: How do you market your books?
Kate: At the moment I am focusing on Amazon ads, but I also just stuck my toe in the Facebook marketing world by starting a page called Kate Reynolds, Author.
It seems important these days to learn to be an online marketer because that seems to be the way to reach the largest number of people, but it does feel strange to have no personal contact with a reader. I adore talking with readers, so I miss the personal interaction.
Alex: What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Kate: I am blessed with nearly boundless curiosity, so I have many interests. I read, of course. I read a lot and widely. You can learn as much about good writing from a compelling mystery as you can from a serious, well-crafted women’s novel. Every book teaches me something.
Cooking brings me joy, as well. There is something so lovely about presenting a beautiful plate to my husband or friends. My cat, however, does not care about lovely presentations, so I just dish his food up from the can.
Another favorite hobby of mine is birding. It’s my belief that one way to stay young is to never stop learning, and there are endless worlds to learn and know about nature. You haven’t asked me for advice, but if I were to offer just one piece, it would be to never, ever stop learning.
I turn to Qigong when I want to relax. A lot of people don’t know that Qigong is a Chinese mind/body practice that heals with gentle movements and deep breathing. It’s less strenuous that Yoga (which I also love), but even a few minutes of mild exercise leaves me feeling peaceful. I also love long walks. Nothing like a good walk to clear your mind.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Kate: Ian McEwan – Atonement is one of the finest books I know about guilt and forgiveness, something we all understand.
Cormac McCarthy – He writes so eloquently about the southwest in bygone days, a time of love and honor. I was originally intrigued by his lack of punctuation, but I quickly grew to love his stories. Some of his work is more violent than I like, but he is an awesome writer.
John Le Carré – I don’t know anyone better at creating a realistic world for his readers to explore.
S.M. Hulse – She writes beautifully about the American west and deep sorrow. Elegant prose that makes my heart sing.
Norman Maclean – His words, “Eventually all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.” is one of the best sentences ever written. I’m really looking forward to reading his son’s book, Home Waters.
Kazuo Ishiguro – You can lose yourself in one of his novels. When you return, you’ll be a better person.
Alex: Thank you so much for sharing your writing world with us, Kate. And many congratulations on becoming a semifinalist for the Booklife Prize. Ernestine sounds like a fascinating read.
Kate: It's my pleasure, Alex. And thank you for inviting me over.
