6 minute read
Shelflife
FOLLOW THE YELLOW-DOTTED ROAD
The subject matter for Michelle L. Rusk’s new novel is close to her heart: a family on a cross-country road trip, with the 14-year-old daughter as the central character. It might have been the kind of experience Rusk had during her many family trips from her hometown near Chicago to Albuquerque, where she ended up moving as an adult nearly 30 years ago. Though Route 66 Dreams is her 11th book (and fourth fiction novel), Rusk has also been inspiring people in other ways. She is a PhD who co-founded the New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition, and also presides over a lifestyle brand called Chelle Summer, a purveyor of clothes, books and a blog all geared toward Rusk’s mission to uplift and enlighten.
ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE: In Route 66 Dreams, we note that Jana, the main character, has an interest in journaling. What piqued your interest as a youngster in journaling? MICHELLE RUSK: We had to journal in sixth grade--it was a requirement in English class--and that’s what got me started. I kept doing it that summer and haven’t stopped. I spend at least five days a week journaling early in the morning and find it centers me for the day. ATM: In the book, the father has so much enthusiasm about traveling along Route 66. Did your family take a similar trip when you were younger? MR: We took a lot of trips in the family station wagon when I was growing up, but we never took a Route 66 trip. The book is partly inspired by my dad having taken that trip in 1961 in his convertible with a friend. There are limited home movies from his adventure. I have been on the Chicago to Albuquerque portion of Route 66 many times driving between my hometown of Naperville, IL, and living here in Albuquerque since 1994. ATM: You mention the excitement of ROUTE 66 DREAMS
By Michelle L. Rusk Chellehead Works 192 Pages $19.99
staying in motels along the way, and the kids discovering the swimming pools. MR: My family almost always stayed in Holiday Inns (which currently don’t exist in the form of the 1970s), and my parents loved those little hotels. It makes me sad how many of those places we have lost. I don’t think people realize the narrative they hold and their overall history in our country; that was part of the reason for including the Twilight Sands Motel in my book. I’m working on another book that tells the story of how that motel came to be. Route 66 Dreams is inspired by the questions I started asking myself: Where are our dreams born? I don’t believe it comes from the “big” moments in life, but rather the rolling hills of daily life, just like Route 66 and the miles driven on a family vacation.
ATM: Your sister’s suicide two weeks shy of 18 years of age took you by surprise. What did that experience lead you to learn about families and suicide? MR: Families that have experienced suicide loss are much more resilient than people give them credit for. I wanted to interview the sibling survivors of suicide and families that didn’t reach out for help. While many were and are suffering in silence, I know that many somehow were/ are moving forward, and I believe that part of the reason is they are the ones who still consider the deceased part of the family. Families are very good at keeping secrets though. I still hear from people who say they weren’t allowed to talk about their sibling or parent who died. It’s so sad to me.
ATM: Jana says she has her memories, her version. How do your memories compare to other family members, especially concerning your sister Denise’s suicide? MR: Now that my parents are also gone, I’m finding there are so many holes in my memory, things I thought I would never forget. But I also know that anything I say is my version. Each of us would tell a different story of her death and of our reactions to it; we all had different relationships with her. —LORI WILDING
UNCOVERING LONG HELD SECRETS
Caroline Starr Rose weaves a web of deception, teamwork, and friendship in Miraculous, the latest book from the Albuquerque author whose works are aimed at young readers. The story, inspired by the brazen attitudes of 1800s snake oil salesmen, is a gripping tale of historical fiction that focuses on Jack and Cora, kids who are filled to the brim with curiosity and tenacity as they uncover the town of Oakdale’s secrets. Rose knows her audience well: she spent years as a social studies and English teacher in Albuquerque and other places.
ALBUQUERQUE THE MAGAZINE: Can you tell me about the process of researching and writing Miraculous? CAROLINE STARR ROSE: I was on a family trip in St. Louis, and we went to a museum where I happened to stumble upon a talk about quacks and charlatans and con men. I thought, ‘This is bizarre and this is fascinating and I would love to know more.’
ATM: How does your background in teaching help when crafting historical stories like this one? CSR: When I was in school and read historical novels, the small paragraphs in my textbook came to life and were memorable because they were connected to story. That’s the kind of thing I would like to create for my readers.
ATM: You mentioned on your blog growing up with literary heroines like Anne Shirley and Ramona Quimby. Did they influence main characters Jack and Cora at all? CSR: Cora is a bit verbose like Anne, she is a very enthusiastic young lady who wants more. She wants to see life beyond her community, she is full of questions, she has a lot to say– she is kind of like Anne.
ATM: Do you have a favorite literary villain, and if so, do you see any of MIRACULOUS
By Caroline Starr Rose G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers 352 Pages $17.99
their qualities in your antagonist, Dr. Kingsbury? CSR: I thought of Jekyll and Hyde in working with Kingsbury because he is an actor first and foremost. He has command of the stage, and he is very aware of his presence and how people respond to him. Much of what he does is a performance, but there is this other side of him that he tries to keep out of the limelight, and when it’s discovered, there are consequences.
ATM: Cora is eager to explore the world outside the town of Oakdale. As someone who lived several different places as a child, do you empathize with Cora in some ways? CSR: I came to New Mexico in first grade, and I was very much an outsider to my own country, to the culture, to the terminology—I didn’t know the playground slang. So many things were foreign to me and that has informed a lot of my writing and characters that I create. Even though our experiences are different, the parallel (to Cora) would be feeling a bit like an outsider in her community.
ATM: Jack and Cora, along with all the intriguing supporting characters, spectacularly enhance the story. Is there a character in Miraculous you relate to the most? CSR: I love them all and think that they’re all interesting. Am I allowed to say that about my own characters? However, I will say that I think Silas is so interesting. There are so many characters who get a second chance, and specifically Silas gets a second chance through Jack in redeeming his broken past.
ATM: What do you feel brought about your career transition from teacher to writer? CSR: I have always, always loved reading, and I always had supportive teachers who told me my writing was strong and that I was creative, and that is so important. I wrote my first manuscript in the summer of 1998, but it took 12 years, four novels and six picture books to sell my first book.
