Her Book Self

Imagine if you will the sights and sounds of beautiful carved horses dancing in a circle to lively calliope sounds.  This is the wonder of a carousel and it is with this imagery in mind that I'm pleased to welcome another author to my blog.  Joining me today is Stefani Deoul author of The Carousel!

*applause, applause*

The Carousel is a story of one woman's journey, but it is also about the community spirit and collaboration of the town around her. Have you ever had a teamwork experience like the one in your novel?

I have been exceptionally fortunate, in many ways I get to spend my life that way. As a television producer, I land in new cities, with a new script and need to build a community of artists and peers- actors, directors, designers, crew - to execute this vision. And within each and every one of those journeys, I have met so many exceptional people; some who are only there for that specific time and place, and some who have remained friends throughout the years. So in one sense, I get to build a "carousel" with every episode I produce.

Your town is filled with a wide variety of characters and each has their own story and journey. To which character do you most relate or connect? Are any of them based on people you know?

I don't know that anyone in the book is me or a specific person. Now, having said that - there are aspects of characters that belong, in bits, to me and in bits to people I have known. I think I can honestly claim to be the "bit" who doesn't understand why anyone would cover up perfectly good hardwood floors:) Get an area rug! Okay - even a BIG area rug! Sheesh! Other people in the book, - I honestly haven't got a clue where they come from.

Was it challenging to write this novel with so much of your main character - including her name - hidden throughout the story?

Oh yeah. :) The very next piece I wrote, I must have stated the main character's name ten times in ten lines. But in an unexpected twist, it wasn't writing her that I found difficult. From a "name" point of view, I knew who she was. From an emotional pov, I journeyed with her. So it wasn't really until the editing that the challenges presented themselves. I mean, I thought all was clear as could be. Then came all those pesky "other people", better known as readers and editors, and suddenly I learned that my clarity wasn't necessarily clear at all and I was going to have to distinguish her presence without diluting the drama. Next story - ten times in ten lines!

I've always loved merry-go-rounds and you have great details in this book about the design and construction of wooden horses. Was this a topic with which you were previously familiar or did you do research specifically for the book?

I did a tremendous amount of research. I believe the detail makes everyone's journey credible. And I knew nothing, I mean nothing, about carousel construction when I began. When I began this story (the first thirty pages) I was unaware exactly how long it takes to build one horse - never mind that it would take all those years to realistically complete a carousel. You can well imagine that both transformed, and informed, the structure of the novel.

If you were designing your own carousel horse what would it look like? What name would you choose?

I'm not sure I know the name, but I believe my horse would be a Pegasus, for my horse would need to have wings and fly.

From your author bio, I see that you have experience working on television production (including some shows that I loved!). How did you switch from the screen to the page? Which do you prefer?

First, the producer in me says thank you. As to how I switched from screen to page. I have several big-time dreams - one of which was to write a novel. I've done some other writing and this was one of those holy grail kind of things. I always thought "one day when I have nothing else to do with my time." And then, my industry had a strike. There was no work. Soooooo -I gave it a try. Thirty days later - I had a draft. Now just to be clear, I had a draft that still needed work, but it was a draft.

For your second question, as to which I prefer, I don’t have a good answer. Producing is a pretty external job, novel writing - not so much. Being able to have both in my life is kind of extraordinary.

What projects are you currently working on?

Haven, a series I produce which airs on the SyFy Channel, has just been picked up for a second season and I'm working on another novel, having just completed a short story, titled June 28th.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

I have a Carousel Facebook Page and my publisher, A & M Books (AandMbooks.com) is kind enough to post some links on my behalf. And going back to your very first question, there's also a youtube promo, which was made possible by some of the community I have met along the way.

Let's take a peek at that video:

And now - if I might ask for your indulgence - a note from this writer.
Dear Lisa -
First - Thank you for reading my book.
Second - Thank you for your reviews and for this interview.
And Third - more than anything - thank you for being someone who introduces her blog by saying "I read. I love to read. I love to read a lot." It makes both the writer in me AND the reader in me feel so incredibly welcome.
Thank you.

And thank you, Stefani!  The Carousel is on sale now!