Interview with the West Side Girl
This collection is based on your personal experiences growing up in Chicago. What made these stories feel important for you to tell? For years I have been telling my stories about growing up in a great time of freedom for children in a neighborhood that was culturally diverse. It seems especially relevant now to tell those stories of social change and the benefits of cultural diversity. What compelled you to write? I’d been telling the stories for years, and many people, including my daughters, asked me to write the stories and share them.
You have talked about these being stories, in part, or “girl power.” Talk a little more about how you see that play out in the stories. My stories are coming-of-age stories set in the 50s and 60s. In the stories I am a young girl, finding her voice, speaking out against injustice, and, in my small way, challenging the status quo.
Why did you choose to self-publish? The stories were previously been published in literary magazines. My readers clamored for one place to go to read them all and to keep the stories and reread them. I also wanted to donate the royalties to a Chicago nonprofit that supports kids at risk.
How do you navigate the sometimes-blurry lines between truth and storytelling? For me, this is not an issue. I checked sources if those individuals are still alive. The stories are non-fiction.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend collecting outside research, if any, for this book? I’ve research family records, photos, newspaper articles, school records, and memorabilia. I have contacted alumni groups and former residents of my old neighborhood and verified my recollections with relatives, friends, and former teachers. I never stop researching because I have a second volume of stories to be created.
Why are you choosing to donate royalties? Tell us about that decision and what it means to you. For many reasons, West Garfield Park was a neighborhood in decline when I was a child. Through organizations, like Off-the-Street-Club, and the dedication and generosity of staff and donors, we never knew we were slum kids. This club has meant so much to so many and was an integral part of my golden childhood. I hope to share that wonderful gift with other children.
Who are your favorite writers? Capote, McCullers, Steinbeck, Joyce, Southern, Welty, Faulkner. Shepherd, Sedaris– it’s a very long list. My father worked at Bantam Books on his “off” days when I was growing up. I had access to their catalog and read almost everything they published.
What’s your favorite story in the collection? Hot Diggity Dog, with Bethlehem on Madison Street a. pretty close second.
What kind of writer do you consider yourself? I guess I am a memoirist, although I really think of myself as a short story writer. I love short stories.