FIVE QUESTIONS with Romalyn Tilgheman

Last January, I was thrilled to be invited to the Pulpwood Queens Girlfriends Weekend. Only a freak thunderstorm made getting to Nacogdoches, TX, a little difficult. First my flight to Houston was diverted to Corpus Christie, TX, and then I missed my ride. Somehow, however, I hooked up with another author – Romalyn – who was coming in from the West Coast to talk about her wonderful To the Stars Through Difficulties. Her flight into Dallas had been diverted as well, and we ended up meeting in the Houston airport for a late dinner and a cocktail as we waited for our late-night ride to the West Texas festival. The best stories always start this way…

How does a book start for you?

A book starts with an idea, usually based in a place. Not sure why that is. The place usually involves a historical context, as a way of showing similarities between time periods. When I read, I enjoy learning something new about a place and/or time, which undoubtedly influences my own choices.

Who in your latest book has surprised you most – and why?Kansans fight The Wizard of Oz stereotype. Every writers’ conference I attended held up The Wizard of Oz as an example of the perfect story. Every single day I heard a reference to that story. When I was almost finished, I realized my three characters were looking for love, wisdom, and courage, and I needed to simply embrace the fact. (Yes, there’s even a tornado.) So all three characters surprised me by acting so true to form even while fighting the overlay of another famous book.

When and/or where is your latest book set and is there a story behind that setting?

My book takes place in Kansas, in two time periods. It’s a contemporary story, but a found journal from the early 1900s gives it another dimension, time-wise. When I first started my career working with arts councils in rural Kansas, I came across the 59 Carnegie libraries in the state. As I was working with volunteers who were providing cultural opportunities to their communities, I imagined what it would’ve been like to engage in similar activities to bring a library to town. I began collecting notes, which I carried around with me for over 30 years. I love stories of women making remarkable things happen, and the more Carnegie libraries I visit, the more I see this story was played out throughout the country.

What are you working on now?

My next novel takes place in Washington, DC, where the Carnegie library is about to become an Apple Store, complete with creative spaces including a performing arts venue. But the main location will be the Old Post Office, where I worked for the National Endowment for the Arts. (And which is now a famous hotel owned by a man who lives down the street.)

Which question didn’t I ask you that I should have?Why is it so hard to write evil, sinister, even flawed characters? My life’s work has been collecting good and generous friends, overlooking and forgiving idiosyncrasies. It’s so difficult to shift gears and seek out nastiness, bad habits, and wicked intentions!

with Leah Cooper, from the Jefferson (TX) Carnegie library, at the Pulpwood Queens Convention

Romalyn Tilghman is a freelance writer and consultant in arts management. To the Stars Through Difficulties is her first novel, inspired by her work as Executive Director of the Association of Kansas and then as Regional Representative for the National Endowment for the Arts

FIVE QUESTIONS with Romalyn Tilgheman

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