In The Spotlight Today: Nicole Harkin!
How old are you, and where are you from?
Nicole: Hi! I am 43 and I was born in Georgia, grew up in Montana, and live in Washington, DC now.
In 100 words or less, tell us about your book!
Nicole: Start with a family of four children and two parents, add in a sudden catastrophic illness, a secret girlfriend, financial ruin, and divorce; shake with cancer, teenage pregnancy, a bit of humor and resiliency: that's the recipe for my childhood. Tilting, A Memoir is a story of how one set of parents lived and died—but more than that—it is an exploration of the secrets and lies of childhood and the stories we tell ourselves which mold us into the people we become. The book recently won a gold medal in The Wishing Shelf Book awards.
When did you publish this book, and what was your biggest challenge while writing/publishing?
Nicole: My book came out almost a year a go. The biggest challenge was having two kids while I was working intensely on the book.
What inspired you to write this book?
Nicole: My mother, Linda, is the center of my book. I had once told her to write down her story, she was the only one could do it. After she died, I found she had written down what I had said to her. I wanted to follow through on my advice to her.
What do you enjoy the most about writing non-fiction?
Nicole: What's not to enjoy? The blood, sweat, and tears? Making sure I am getting it down as close to how it happened. I recently listened to Malcolm Gladwell's new podcast about memory and now I am worried about how I remembered everything. I did my best. I just keep trying to remind myself of that.
Do you write fiction as well? If not, would you and what genre?
Nicole: I am currently at work on a mystery set in Berlin. I keep feeling that my memoir was so much easier to write because I already knew the story. Having to make up the story out of whole cloth has been hard. I am also working on a book about my Gram. I hope it will be similar to Half Broke Horses, by Jeanette Walls.
What are two of your favorite books? Least favorite?
Nicole:
Favorites:
The Boys of My Youth, by Joanne Beard is simply sublime. You read along not really understanding what is going on until it all clicks into focus.
Buddha's in the Attic, by Juile Otsuka. This story chronicles the lives of war brides from Japan in California, in the third person. Amazing.
Foreskin's Lament, by Shalom Auslander. Should he circumcise his unborn baby? Yes, no, yes, no. But is really about if Auslander wants to stay in his religion. I loved every word.
Least Favorite:
I don't like to say bad things about books, because we are all doing the best we can. But the back of Little Bee by Chris Cleave said the book held a secret and to please not tell others with it was. I like secrets. Let me tell you the secret: EVERY CHARACTER DIES. It is the worst.
Do you have any other hobbies, businesses that you would like to share?
Nicole: I am a professional photographer. My website is www.nicoleharkin.com
Do you have any upcoming book specials/giveaways or events?
Nicole: June 22nd the book will be free for Kindles!
How can readers keep up with you? Post your social media usernames!
Nicole: www.tiltingamemoir.com will lead you to my book's website and the first chapter of the book to check out.
I am on Facebook and Instagram:
Anything else you would like to share?
Nicole: If you happen to read Tilting, please leave the book a review and tell your friends!
Check out Nicole's memoir on Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/Tilting-Memoir-Nicole-Harkin-ebook/dp/B073GLC47F/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528670089&sr=8-1&keywords=tilting+a+memoir
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Buddha's in the Attic, by Julie Otsuka. This story chronicles the lives of war brides from Japan in California, in the third person. Amazing.
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