Author Kendra Nicholson
I was lucky enough to meet this talented author through another author friend of mine, Steven Basset, who just happens to be his sister. I have done an article on Steve recently as Eli Pope, author of The Mason Jar Series. He said his sister is also writing and had a unique story to tell. I was able to reach out to her and I was not disappointed in the interview I had with Kendra Nicholson. So after reading her book, “The Climb”, I thought it would be a good idea to feature her in one of my blog articles. Here is the interview we had.
Q: Tell me about your background.
A: “I began doing theatre in high school, and fell in love with it. I graduated from Oklahoma State University where I majored in Theatre, and minored in English. I took several years to focus on raising my two boys, and when I looked into performing again, I discovered improv. I was hooked from the moment I took my first class. I eventually began performing and teaching improv in the Los Angeles area.”
Q: Tell me about your book, “The Climb”?
"A: “In January of 2018, my husband and I lost our son to suicide. I began journaling in order to process his death and my grief. I would share bits from my journaling on Facebook, including stories about him, and about how I was dealing with my grief on Facebook. At one point, I was researching reading material for my surviving son, and I realized there was precious little out there for sibling survivors. I decided to do something about that. “The Climb” is a fictional novel written from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old boy who loses his big brother to suicide. Although it is fiction, there is a great deal of my son, Trevor’s personality in there. I wanted people to remember him for more than his final act.
Q: What other works do you have available or what are you working on?
A: “Right now, I am working on a coming of age fictional novel that takes place in the Missouri Ozarks where I grew up. It’s in its very early stages at this point.”
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors you enjoy reading?
A: “Oh boy… I truly do like an eclectic mix of authors and genres. It all depends on my mood. Overall, I do like books where the main character has a very distinctive voice, and a unique perspective. “Lamb,” by Christopher Moore, “Sula”, by Toni Morrison, “The Red Tent”, by Anita Diamant, “I Know This Much is True”, by Wally Lamb, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime”, by Mark Haddon, “Torture the Artist”, by Joey Goebel, “The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint”, by Brady Udall, and “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius,” by Dave Eggers are some of my favorite books. I also love Stephen King and Dean Koontz, which are really the ultimate ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances books.”
Q: What advice would you give to authors just getting started?
A: "Read. Read everything you can get your hands on. When you are writing, read your words out loud to yourself. It may feel weird, but it will help you see if it flows, and help you catch errors. It will also help you find your character’s voice.”
Q: What is your most and least favorite things about writing?
A: “My favorite thing about writing is when the story surprises me. I love it when I’m writing, and I have an idea, but it ends up going in a different direction than the plan. It’s really very much like doing improv. You try to give your character a unique point of view, and then stay open minded to changes within the character’s world.”
“My least favorite thing is marketing the finished product. UGH. The worst.”
Q: What sites, links, and contact information can you give our readers?
A: “You can purchase my book in paperback or ebook format on Amazon. I also started an author Facebook page: Author Kendra Nicholson @theclimbauthor.”
This work was interesting and very insightful. I was impressed with the depiction of this problem that is so pervasive in our society today. It not only delves into the mind of the son, but also into the mind of the sibling and parents and how suicide can affect those that are left behind. If you can’t shed a tear in this read, I’m sure you are missing the point of this poignant and relevant book.
Kendra reached deep down in her own soul to write this work and I am sure this was a very difficult project. There is something to learn from this for all of us, no matter our age or lot in life. This is something to pay attention to and mull over in our minds, as to how this can so easily happen to anyone.
I applaud Kendra in even attempting this work, and for her courage and strength in her solemn attempt to let others know about this significant cause. Although it is a work of fiction, it clearly makes the attempt to sound the alarm for others, not only in suicide prevention, but dealing with its aftermath.
I highly recommend the purchase of this book and hope that those that have had the same experience are enlightened and empowered to deal with this issue.