Extra: Guest Author Amy Wallen
This entry was posted on 7/9/2008 9:16 PM and is filed under uncategorized.
<>I love the title of Amy Wallen's new novel: "Moonlight and Moonpies." Here's what the novel's about:
Ruby Kincaid has her hands full these days. In addition to
running the bowling alley after the death of her husband, Rascal, she
has the daunting task of caring for her two boisterous grandchildren,
since her daughter Violet disappeared without a trace four years
earlier. It’s 1976 and Ruby and her nearest and dearest in
Devine, Texas are watching their favorite soap opera at the bowling
alley when they see Violet in a Buttermaid commercial. Expecting
it will only take a little motherly guilt to rein in her wayward
daughter, Ruby loads up the Winnebago and heads for Hollywood to try
and bring Violet back to the Lone Star State.
Along for the ride are Imogene, Violet’s over-bearing and pretentious
mother-in-law (who’s ready to assume the title of “celebrity-in-law”),
and Loralva, Ruby’s wild sister who is itching to visit Tinsel Town
because it’s where all the game shows are taped – and nothing’s going
to stop her from making it to her favorite, The Price Is Right.
Rounding out the group are Ruby’s grandchildren Bunny and Bubbie who
are confused, sad, and excited at the prospect of finding their
mother. They give Ruby the courage she needs to track Violet down
and try to make things right.
Here's our interview with Ms. Wallen:
1) What was your inspiration for your book?
My Texas grandmother. She used to say to me, “How come you live out in
California and you ain’t been on one of them game shows?” She was a
wily woman with many sides to her. She’d been married 4 times and the
last time to a good-looking hunk of a man who was 25 years younger than
she. But unfortunately, he died before her. At his funeral she wanted
to wear her red dress. We asked her why she wanted to wear a red dress
to a funeral and she replied, “Because Richard always said it showed
off my legs!” She was 90 years old at that time.
2) Are you working on anything now?
Yes, I have a contract with Hyperion for another book. It’s based in
Burbank at a senior artist’s colony. So far, I’m having a lot of fun
with it.
3) What is something about you that would surprise your readers?
I had to learn to bowl to write the book, I’ve never been on the Price
is Right, and I took my first piano lesson at the age of 40. I’m 44
now.
