Ramona, host of “Ramona Interviews” on WCCA-TV, conducts a lively, fun and thought-provoking interview as I found when taping this segment about my new novel Horseshoes and Hand Grenades recently.
Here are a few comments made by Ramona in the course of the interview (paraphrased):
It was easy to read. I didn’t feel depressed when I read it.
I didn’t find any glamor which I liked. Because they were everyday characters, I didn’t get caught up in their fame or unique lives.
The trauma experienced by Shelby and Astrid is carried in them whether they realize it or not.
And here’s a taste of her questions plus very short versions of my answers:
What inspired you to write Horseshoes and Hand Grenades? Harvey Weinstein and #MeToo, and watching people ask unfair questions of victims that they don’t ask victims of other types of crime.
What message do you hope to convey? (1) I hope the story convinces sexual abuse and harassment victims that their experiences matter regardless of how subtle or severe they were. “Almost counts.” (2) I hope it helps non-victims understand why victims speak up or don’t, and when they do, why they do.
How did you choose the title? It refers to the old saying Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. In the end, that’s not true–almost counts in other things, too.
Thanks to “Ramona Interviews” for having me on the show!
