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Monday Questions – Top Thanksgiving Side Dishes

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Hey GOB writers, Thursday is Thanksgiving and we want to know … What are your top Thanksgiving side dishes?

Christie:  Mine are sauteed brussel sprouts and Green Bean Casserole (pictured above), but I doubt my kids would agree. At least they never seemed to take to the Green Bean Casserole as much as I did. It was something I had as a kid and over the years a comfort food which is probably common of my generation … just ask my friend Ellen who recently requested it after surgery. Of course I helped her eat it and we finished it before it was cool (pictured below). Sadly, the woman who created this yummy dish recently passed away at 92 … Thank you and rest in peace, Dorcas Reilly. 

Cathi:

I love the picture of the empty dish, Christie!  I’m currently pulling out all my serving dishes for this week. We are having 8 different side dishes, 7 of which I’m making (in addition to the turkey, ham, bread, cranberries, gravy – obviously!).  To me, the side dish is what it’s about!  I can satisfy (hopefully) everyone’s preferences, and they make the best leftovers!  I’m trying a new one this year – Shredded Brussel Sprout Salad!  I LOVE Brussel sprouts and usually make a roasted version, but decided to branch out this year.  How does everyone feel about salads at Thanksgiving?

 

 

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Monday Question: Favorite Family Meal

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Hey GOB writers, What’s your favorite family meal?  Besides Thanksgiving, of course!

Cathi:  I made our family’s comfort meal last week after time change.  We filled our plates and watched our Sunday night movie, a ritual we’ve been missing last several Sundays.  We watched a comedy, stuffed ourselves, and went to bed. Menu: roast chicken, sauteed corn, risotto, and homemade bread.  For the risotto, I used this recipe as my base, but I only use the peas and parmesan. Comfort, indeed. (Pic of the risotto)

Christie: Since my babies have flown the coop we lost our routine of Sunday night dinners, which usually was grilling something and sitting on the porch overlooking the lake for a meal under the stars and white string lights. We also had a tradition on Wednesday nights being “Wingsday” where I made my crispy oven baked Buffalo Chicken Wings. Now whenever the kids are back we usually have to fit in a wings night in … even if it isn’t Wednesday.

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Monday Question: What time is Thanksgiving?

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Hey GOB writers, in light of the recent time change, we were wondering … what time do you have Thanksgiving dinner?

Christie:  I prefer to eat the big meal around 4:00. We often try to do a Turkey Trot 5K run/walk (this year I will probably be walking!) and then come home where I make a big breakfast to tide us over until the massive Turkey dinner.  I do spend most of the day in the kitchen, so snacking is allowed … I just get strict about two hours before sit down time so we don’t ruin our appetite!

Cathi:  Interesting!  We, too, have been having dinner around 4:00.  For many years before that, when my Dad hosted, it was always dinner at 2:00.  The initial reaction to the change wasn’t great, but we’ve eased into it. Changes can be hard – even incremental ones. We’ve done a few Turkey 5ks too, but they’re probably quite a bit chillier than the ones in Florida!

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Monday Question – Favorite Halloween Memory

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Hey GOB writers! Thriller writers that you are … what is your favorite Halloween memory?

Cathi:  When I was in first grade, my mom made be a Miss Bianca costume from the Rescuers.  I felt like I was Miss Bianca.  More recently, it’s been my daughters’ love for Halloween.  We have a great neighborhood for trick or treating – the parents might get a little adult beverage while accompanying the kids and pre-game parties to get everyone fed first!  And, I love this picture of my sasquatch husband and I!

Christie:  I have so many Halloween memories that I could never choose the favorite! Growing up my dad would sit outside the door dressed as a zombie (before zombies were a thing) and give out the candy while scaring the neighborhood kids. I always loved dressing up and still do … must be the actor in me. My kids grew up in the same type of neighborhood as I did so I continued to have fun with Halloween. In Florida it is often hot (and sometimes rainy) but doesn’t seem to stop the masses of trick-or-treaters that hit the streets. And I love all the ghost stories and scaring people which I guess is why I’m a thriller writer!

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Monday Question – Nap or Not?

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Hey GOB Writers! Curious minds want to know … Do you like to take naps?

Christie:  I have never been a person to take naps. I have been somewhat notorious among my friends and family for being so exhausted that I fall asleep at 9:00 pm. But lately I have found that if I can turn my brain off for an hour in the afternoon, I can charge into the evening with fresh eyes, and possibly make it until 10:00 or 11:00 pm before I crash. Of course, this ability to nap has only happened twice in the last month and could have something to do with my newly acquired nocturnal reading habit (aka research).

Cathi:  Oh, I wish I could nap on a regular basis.  I admire those who can lay down, shut their eyes, and recharge on demand.  I don’t think I got the napping gene.  Naps are rare for me and only happen until certain circumstances – luck, calm animals, and complete exhaustion.

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GOB A.I. with Debbie Levison (part 2)

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Welcome to Part 2 of our interview with the lovely and talented Debbie Levison, author of the newly released true-crime memoir, The Crate.  The Crate has already won several awards, including a Gold Medal from Readers’ Favorite, a 5-Star Award, and was named a Finalist in the 2018 International Books Awards. From Part 1 of our interview, we learned a little about Debbie’s inspiration and writing process, read on as she shares more about her road to publication.

The title of your book is great.  How did it come about?

DL:  Thanks! The crate is both literal and metaphorical in terms of its contents and is central to tying together the true crime and Holocaust narratives. The “war” and “murder” parts are self-explanatory, and I think the addition of “justice” in the title is interesting as it poses a question: is there justice for the victims of a crime, or their families? What about for the survivors of the Holocaust? And are we talking about earthly justice or something other-worldly?

Your website (www.debbielevison.com) includes recipes and photos that help make the story tangible for the reader.  When did you launch your website and what are your thoughts about an online presence?

DL:  Even though the launch of the website coincided with the launch of the book, the site morphs daily with new reviews, press, and events. I’m still developing pages. For instance, I’m working on a map that highlights the various settings of the story in Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

It’s vital to connect with readers online. I’ll admit, the social media part is pretty daunting. It’s second nature to my kids, but for me, it’s a learning curve.  

It looks you have a background in communications – that sounds quite helpful in selling your book. What are your thoughts on marketing your book?

DL:  A completed manuscript is only the first hurdle. Marketing the book is a whole other ball game! My strategy has been “run the gamut,” from traditional earned media coverage and reviews to podcasts to participating in a variety of events. I spent most of August in Ontario doing signings and talks at bookstores, libraries, authors’ associations, and even cafés and retailers. Since a full-page ad in the New York Times is unlikely, I have to find other ways to get the word out. Encouraging readers to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads is key.

Of course, getting the attention of Reese Witherspoon or Oprah would be helpful. So would #TheCrate going viral.

What are you working on next?

DL:  Back in the 90s I wrote a romance but somehow, between having three kids, moving from Canada to Connecticut, and a career in journalism and public relations, it got “shelved.” I hope to dust it off, make it a little less cheesy, maybe weave in some thriller elements, and see where it can go.

I also began the first chapter of a new thriller, based on very disturbing true events that occurred in Connecticut in the 80s.

Through ThrillerFest I’ve come to connect with a bunch of other thriller writers. They’re a warm and welcoming community and I’m really enjoying being a part of it.

If a newbie writer were to ask you the best and worst aspects about the publishing process, what would you want to share?

DL:  The best part? Finding a publisher who believes in your work. I’m incredibly lucky to have found Steve Jackson and Michael Cordova at WildBlue Press, which publishes the paperback and e-book, and Ron Formica at Tantor Media, which publishes the audio.

The hardest part is being patient! I’ve learned that the process of getting published can be agonizingly slow, especially with a debut book. And dealing with rejection is no picnic, either.

How can readers connect with you and buy your book?

DL:  I love feedback, on Facebook:@DeborahLevisonAuthor or email: deborahvlevison@gmail.com. It’s amazing to hear from readers from all over the U.S. and Canada (even one from France!) with whom different parts of the story resonate.

The book is on Amazon and my website, www.debbielevison.com, links to other retailers like Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Indiebound, and of course Audible for the audio. I’m incredibly lucky, because THE CRATE’s narrator, Cassandra Campbell, is phenomenal… she did Orange is the New Black, The Help, Henrietta Lacks, Lilac Girls, etc., and was inducted into the Audio Hall of Fame. She’s won every audio award conceivable.

Thanks, Debbie! We love that you shared so much of your process with us.

Now readers, go out and buy The Crate, a true-crime memoir that won’t disappoint!

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Monday Question – Favorite Indulgence?

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Hey GOB writers!  We know you are starving artists, but what indulgence would you enjoy more often if you could afford it?

Cathi:  No question.  Fresh bed linens each day – that someone else takes care of!  In fairness, the weekly changing of the sheets isn’t one of my household tasks (husband’s list), but the feeling of fresh sheets for bedtime is one of my favorites.  And someone else to do the laundry (from start to finish)? Heaven!

Christie:  That is hard … apparently I like to indulge in a lot of things!  One thing jumps out as a desperate need/want! I would love to have a new wardrobe at least once a year. I’m talking everything, down to the socks and pajamas. Most important in this scenario is a personal shopper who finds all the perfect items and the perfect fit for me! Dang it … I’m getting too excited at this impossible indulgence!

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GOB A.I. with Debbie Levison

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We at Game of Books are excited to present our new series of author interviews (GOB A.I.).

Welcome to Part 1 of our interview with the lovely and talented Debbie Levison, author of the newly released true-crime memoir, The Crate.  The Crate has already won several awards, including a Gold Medal from Readers’ Favorite, a 5-Star Award, and was named a Finalist in the 2018 International Books Awards.

Congratulations on the publication of THE CRATE: A Story of War, a Murder, and Justice!  And Welcome to Game of Books! It was a pleasure to meet you at Thrillerfest. Was it your first time attending?  Have you gone to other conferences?

DL:  Pleasure to meet you, too! ThrillerFest 2018 was my first ever literary conference, made even more sensational because my debut book had released just days earlier. I was walking on a cloud.

What inspired you to write this particular book?

DL:  THE CRATE is a story of a violent crime that rocked my family. In 2010, we discovered a wooden crate, nailed tightly shut and hidden underneath our cottage north of Toronto. Inside was… awful. The discovery left my family reeling. It was in all the headlines, my brother was a murder suspect, my husband and I were totally freaked out, and we had three young kids to shield. But the worst part was that my elderly parents were traumatized. The discovery dredged up their terrible memories of being in the Holocaust.

Those first days after the discovery were filled with shock and horror and a huge sense of violation. But once we identified the victim, and once we learned the circumstances that led to the crate being found on our property, it hit me: everything we were feeling was nothing compared to what the victim’s family was going through. I realized I could give the victim a voice. I wanted to preserve her memory… just as I wanted to preserve my parents’ stories from the Holocaust.

When did you start writing and is this your first memoir?

DL:  I’ve written professionally since university, as a journalist and publicist. Even though I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember, THE CRATE is not a book I ever anticipated. I’d always imagined writing historical fiction, since that’s my favorite genre to read. From my little bubble in Connecticut, where I live an ordinary little life as a wife and mother, I never thought I’d be writing about a true crime.

Can you tell us a little about your writing process?

DL:  Step One was the easiest, because it wasn’t so much a matter of me imagining a story, but more a matter of a story clamoring to be written. I knew what had to be said. Structuring it, though, was a bit tougher. I didn’t outline. After I’d written several chapters and had only a vague idea of how I’d string them together, an editor told me, “Writing a book is like building a house. You have to pour a foundation before you can decorate the rooms.”

The trickiest part of the writing process is finding time for it. I snap awake in the morning with a head full of words and phrases and ideas for what I want to accomplish. But then there are kids to chauffeur here and there, loads of laundry to wash, a dog to walk, groceries to buy, an office to go to, and suddenly any grand plans for writing my missive are pushed to the wayside.

I also have a terrible habit of spending an inordinate amount of time editing and polishing as I go, which slows things down even more.

Plus my eyes get exhausted after staring at a computer screen all day at my job at a PR firm and then coming home to type some more.

How can readers connect with you and buy your book?

DL:  I love feedback, on Facebook:@DeborahLevisonAuthor or email: deborahvlevison@gmail.com. It’s amazing to hear from readers from all over the U.S. and Canada (even one from France!) with whom different parts of the story resonate.

The book is on Amazon and my website, www.debbielevison.com, links to other retailers like Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, Indiebound, and of course Audible for the audio. I’m incredibly lucky, because THE CRATE’s narrator, Cassandra Campbell, is phenomenal… she did Orange is the New Black, The Help, Henrietta Lacks, Lilac Girls, etc., and was inducted into the Audio Hall of Fame. She’s won every audio award conceivable.

Stay tuned next week for more from our interview with Debbie Levison. In the meantime, buy her book and read it. If you love a good true-crime memoir, you won’t be disappointed!

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Monday’s Question: Have You OR Would You Ever Try Sky Diving?

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Hey GOB writers … Would you ever knowingly jump out of a functioning plane?

Christie:  I don’t have any desire to sky dive but if I had to in order to escape an assassin or for creative research, I might. I’m afraid of heights but I have been told that doesn’t come into play because the plane is so high up. My answer, “Yeah, right!” Also, I’m not sure if it is possible, but I would want two back-up parachutes. 

Cathi:   Oh, how I wish I could say, “YES!”  But, the truth is  -Absolutely not.  Did you recently see Will Smith celebrate his 50th Birthday by bungee jumping out of a plane over the Grand Canyon?  Impressive.  My husband, even more impressive in my opinion, and who used to be a pilot, went skydiving 5 times when he was 17 .  His stories freak me out, but he loved  it. When I asked him what he would say if our 17 year-old daughter wanted to skydive, he said, “Oh, hell, yeah.”

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Monday Question: What is your Favorite Comfort Food?

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Hey GOB writers … after a long day of writing, what is your comfort food?

Christie:  Soup, definitely! I enjoy any kind of soup and have even been known to have it for breakfast. My mom and my grandma both made a delicious Polish chicken soup and when I’m sick that is the first thing I start cooking. Beyond that there is a place in my heart for one dish meals like shepherd’s pie, lasagna, and gumbo.

 

Cathi:  Soup is one of my favorites, too, especially this time of year AND especially when paired with homemade bread.  I’m also a HUGE pizza fan.  Would love to have an outdoor pizza oven in my dream outdoor kitchen someday!  My favorite bread and pizza dough recipes are from Jim Lahey’s My Bread.

 

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