We chat with author Michelle Lindo-Rice about The Bookshop Sisterhood, which is a story of four friends working to open a bookstore while dealing with challenges in their personal lives.
When did you start writing?
I began writing in my late 20s. I had been an avid reader before I wrote my first book at age 28. It was a means of therapy for me and a great outlet that became a passion.
What does your writing routine look like?
Generally, my routine is that I read a few books in the genre that I am writing which serves as fuel and then I work on getting to know my characters. I try to chart out their main story arc and other details. Then once I begin, I try to write every day. I use a word tracking app to motivate me to write a certain amount of words. But, throughout, I might watch a movie which has a plot element that I am writing for to motivate me to keep going and to give me ideas. I also logout of social media for the length of time that I am writing that day to minimize distractions. Basically, the only way to get it done is butt in the seat and hands on the keyboard.
Are you more of a “plotter” or a “pantser”?
I am definitely a pantser but have morphed into a plantser—which is the term used to describe a combination of a plotter and pantser—since I am generally working off a completed synopsis, but when inspiration hits, I might add a scene or even a small element that gives the story a special touch. I have also found myself pantsing but pausing to plot a few chapters out here and there. However, once I get to the know the character and their arcs, I do my best to let them lead the story.
Was there a real-life bookstore that inspired Besties, Books and Bevs, the store your main characters start together?
There wasn’t an actual brick and mortar that I used. The inspiration for the bookstore was 85 percent imagination and 15 percent compilation of some that I have seen. I tried to create a place that I would love to go to in my own town. There are so many indie bookstores that I have entered which have that homey feel and they invite you to stay as long as you want and make reader friends. That’s what I tried to convey in Besties, Books and Bevs.
Your characters face some difficult challenges in their personal lives. How do you tap into the emotions that make their struggles feel so real and relatable?
This is such a great question. To tap into the emotions, I use a combination of research, scene talk throughs, past experiences and even visualization. I use writer books that outline the behaviors and actions that person might feel so I better understand the psyche of the character. I talk through situations with my husband and sister where we might flesh out different paths and considerations. I might have a closely similar experience that I can channel to tap into those emotions. And finally, I visualize myself or friends and family members in that situation and deeply consider how I might react or feel. I consider the character’s personality, gender, age, time period and their background, their upbringing, all the things that make them ‘them’ to elicit a realistic response for that character. I do believe that’s why everyone who reads THE BOOKSHOP SISTERHOOD will latch onto a character that they can relate to and root for.
What was your favorite scene to write? Please share a brief excerpt.
I have two scenes that were heartwarming and I hope readers enjoy that as well. The first is the final scene with Celeste and Wade which is just absolutely tender but also humorous. The second is when Leslie, who was supermom and organized, becaomes overwhelmed and falls apart with everything going on in her life causing her to miss bookclub. But her friends come to her house and what happens is a powerful bond of womanhood and friendship and of course, books. The excerpt is below:
Her friends picked their way over the clutter and gravitated to the family room, where they usually congregated when it was her turn to host book club. Leslie felt her face go hot when her friends got bug-eyed at the papers tossed on the couch and the floor, right along with a litter of empty cookie boxes, ice cream cartons and candy wrappers.
Toni and Yasmeen placed the food on the corner of the coffee table, the only free spot, then perched on the edge of the couch.
Shame washed over her entire being.
“I’ve been meaning to clean up, but…” She trailed off, tears brimming in her eyes. She sniffled and wiped her face. “I told you I would skip book club this month.” Her shoulders shook. “I didn’t even read the book. I just… I don’t know,” she choked out, sobbing now. “And it was my turn to choose the book, but I…” Her voice cracked. “I’m just so…overwhelmed.”
Her friends surrounded her, their faces filled with compassion and tears. “I can’t think straight. I have all these books around, and I can’t get past one chapter. I don’t know what’s wrong, but I’m not me.” She lifted her hands, her vision blurry. “I don’t know who I am.” She swallowed, fighting the tears as the words flowed. “Every morning when I wake up, all I can think about besides Nadya is that…I wasn’t…wanted. And I learn if any of the Johansens are a match…next week.”
Her birth mother, Julie, had called to let her know all the family had swabbed and sent off the packages, but Leslie had avoided any other contact. Her newfound siblings had reached out, wanting to meet, but Leslie hadn’t returned their calls. Plus, according to Julie, there was a whole slew of relatives. And a yearly family reunion.
She couldn’t face them, face her jealousy.
“I don’t know how I’m going to tell Nadya all of this.” She splayed her hands. “How do I even start?” She felt a hand on her back. “It’s too much.”
Leslie’s knees buckled, but her friends were there to support her, to steady her, banding their arms about her, rocking her, hushing her, allowing her to break down but not fall apart, their love a strengthship, a bond.
A sisterhood.
“We don’t miss book club,” Yasmeen said, her voice wobbly as she recited the mantra that had united them through all their experiences over the years, both good and bad.
“We don’t miss book club,” Leslie repeated.
“This is what we do, girl,” Toni said, patting her shoulder. “Now, go sit down somewhere. We got this.” She left the room and returned with a trash bag and some of the latex gloves Leslie used when cooking. Both her and Yasmeen slipped on a pair and began tossing the garbage. Celeste ushered Leslie to sit on the couch and went to help Toni and Yasmeen, ordering Leslie to eat.
