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Cleo’s Oak, novel by Pearle Munn Bishop
Tell us about your book.
CLEO’S OAK is a novel of Cleo, a psychic midwife from the eighteen hundreds, channels her life story through Willow, a contemporary egotistical sixteen year old girl. http://dld.bz/CleosOakKindle
Cleo’s Oak Paperback http://dld.bz/CleosOakPaperback
2. When you’re writing, who is in control, you or the characters?
The characters. I just hold the pen.
3. How long have you been writing?
wood carver as depicted in Pearle Munn Bishop’s first story
I wrote my first story when I was ten. It was about two trees in Italy – a wood carver carved it into a pair of American Indians.
4. Where do you find inspiration for your writing?
Spirits want their stories told. Dreams, memories, family stories, gossip, books, friends.
5. If you could talk for thirty minutes with any persons, living or dead, who would it be?
My mother and grandmother.
6. What is your strongest and weakest area in the creative process?
Writing is easy; rewriting is work.
7. How do you classify yourself as a writer?
Fiction, although the spirits that really write their stories may not think so.
8. Were books an important part of your household when you were growing up?
Yes, yes, yes. They were everywhere.
9. Any teachers or others who influenced you?
Butterfly influence in novel by Pearle Munn Bishop, “Cleo’s Oak”
My high school English teacher, Miss Isabell Cromartie and my math teacher, Mr. F. Jay Bates, as well as fairies, elves, butterflies, Brownies, Druids and the spirit of the oak tree were a part of my early childhood.
10. Are you in a writing group?
Yes, Cleo’s story would not have been told if it had not been for High Country Writers of Boone, NC. The members tell me things like plain chicken manure is too hot for fertilizing pepper plants. They laugh at the jokes in the story and hate or love my characters as though my story was based on truth.
11. Why do you write?
Cleo and my writers’ group forced my hand.
12. Who should read CLEO’S OAK?
Anyone who has ever had a Grandmother.
“Cleo’s Oak” will be released Spring 2013.
8 comments
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January 30, 2013 at 7:52 am
laurelrainsnow
Oh, this story sounds delightful! I like the idea of spirits “forcing” your hand…lol.
Love the name Willow, too. I’ll be waiting for this one!
January 30, 2013 at 9:02 am
Sarah Byrd
Loved your interview. Short, but with a strong message. I’ll certainly be looking forward to reading this book. You’ll probably find a few Spirits in my books too.
January 30, 2013 at 9:42 am
Joanne
Can’t wait to read it!
January 30, 2013 at 10:49 am
Wendy Dingwall
As always, Pearl is straightforward in her answers with humor and lots of character. Great interview! I look forward to reading “Cleo’s Oak”!
January 30, 2013 at 1:03 pm
CTHodges
Great interview and like Sarah, I appreciated the short answers and strong message.
My sister, Christy, and I recently published a historical fiction book based on family stories about our great-aunt. During the writing, we often joked that we were channeling Aunt Bessie and to this day, I believe that’s true. It may be our names–or actually, our pseudonym–on the cover of Whistling Woman, but in reality, it was all Aunt Bessie.
Your book sounds fascinating and I look forward to reading it. Thanks for joining us today!
January 31, 2013 at 6:16 pm
Lissa Brown
I’ve been waiting years for this book to publish. I’m sure it will be worth the wait. Congratulations, Pearle.
February 1, 2013 at 4:01 pm
christytilleryfrench
Reading the manuscript now, Pearle. I love the concept!
February 4, 2013 at 11:56 am
maggiebishop
Pearle doesn’t type but wanted me to thank you for the comments. She’s anxiously awaiting the day when her book will be in print and available in e-book format.