Companion in Grief received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Trevy Thomas.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Companion in Grief, 2019.
What’s the book’s first line?
“A death turns you toward another world, a mysterious unknown planet.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
“Companion in Grief” offers help for those grieving the loss of a loved one. A page for each day of the year, with topics indexed by subject, this is an easy, comforting, hope-giving read for one of life’s worst experiences. It’s secular in nature, meaning it will appeal to both non-religious and religious grievers who are in need of support. A useful gift.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
When my late husband died, I started having profound thoughts. I was in shock at his sudden absence, filled with feelings I’d never had. It was frightening. I wrote down what I could, hoping to make sense of my muddled state. I didn’t know then I was writing a book but that’s what it became.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
To grasp onto a sense that this terrifyingly lonely experience is survivable. To find hope again each day.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
Nicole Kidman (because I love to watch her expressions) and Billy Bob Thornton (who looked a little like my late husband)
When did you first decide to become an author?
When I was 18, in creative writing class. My father talked me out of it, so I put it on hold for a very long time.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I keep my late husband’s business going: Historical Woods of America. We make handcrafted goods from famously historic wood, such as a pen from the horse chestnut tree planted by George Washington.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Anywhere from an hour to five hours a day.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Best part: not having to format a proposal a gazillion different ways according to a gazillion different publishers who will never open it. Hardest part: proceeding with the uncertainty that comes from not having a team behind you.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Write every day like a professional, even if it’s only for fifteen minutes. Find readers who aren’t friends or family for feedback.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Yes, for the experienced guidance and publicity help.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Finally doing what I feel meant for after so many years of ignoring the urge.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
The dreaded “most” question. Donna Tartt.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
The Goldfinch. It had me swept inside the pages from the very first one and kept me there all the way through. It’s my favorite book from the last ten years, which is how long she took to write it.