Monday, June 2, 2014

Interview and Giveaway with Becky Povich



It's my pleasure to welcome author Becky Povich today.  Becky is here to discuss her latest book, From Pigtails to Chin Hairs. Now if that title doesn't draw you in, I don't know what will! :) Becky's offered a print copy for one of my readers; be sure to check out the giveaway details below.
 
Welcome Becky! What prompted you to write this book? 

Thank you, Karen! I hate to start off saying “It’s a long story,” but it is! I’ll shorten it as much as I can. I thought about writing my memoir in March 2001 as I read Haven Kimmel’s A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana. I loved that book and recommended it every chance I got. It occurred to me that if/when I wrote my memoir, it would be “kind of” like this one. Not that I’m comparing my writing to Ms. Kimmel’s. Oh my, not at all! I liked the way it contained both humorous and poignant stories and a few black and white photos.

Two months later, I found out my estranged father was in very bad health, and not expected to live more than a few days. When I got back home after traveling to see him, I felt compelled to write. It was as if a gentle force sat me down at my laptop and the words just flowed. If only writing was always that amazing! I titled it “Thoughts on Love & Forgiveness,” and after submitting it to a local newspaper, I was given the honor of being one of the Guest Opinion Shapers. I was almost 50 years old and that’s when I realized I could write. A few years later, I submitted the same story for the anthology, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Divorce & Recovery, and it was accepted there, also.

Since this is a memoir, did you meet with resistance from your family and friends about any of the stories?

No, but I didn’t reveal much about what I was writing! Seriously, there wasn’t any child abuse or drug addiction-type events in my life, so there wasn’t anything like that to worry about. I did have one small concern about my older sister’s feelings when I wrote about our mother, but she is okay with it.


The cover photo is so cute! How did you come to choose that photo?

You know, this may sound weird, but when it comes to the book title and the cover photo, I do not remember an exact moment when I thought of either of them. With the help of my critique group, and everyone else who wanted to give their opinion, I mulled over a lot of titles and cover ideas. I do know I came up with the title first, and then when I came across the photo of myself, it just seemed to fit perfectly.

It does fit! What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope they’ll feel as if they just spent a couple of hours with me, and that we’re great friends who talked about everything in our lives, and the ups and the downs. I hope, too, they realize just how important it is to have faith in yourself during difficult times, and that a great sense of humor is irreplaceable.

It looks like it does that very thing. :) Can you give us a sneak peek at the next book?
The sequel will be more of the same. The chapters range from my childhood right up to present day. It was really difficult to know when to end my memoir. Since it wasn’t fiction; no beginning, middle or end, I tried to keep it at a decent word count. Finally I just thought, I think it’s time to stop at this point. I’ll write a sequel, so I can share more memories!
Sometimes you just have to call it done, don't you? Thanks so much for stopping by to see us, Becky. Wishing you all the best with your book!
Thank you so much for your hospitality, Karen! 
Find Becky: 

Giveaway Info - One Signed Copy of From Pigtails to Chin Hairs   
  • You must be a GFC (Google Friend Connect follower) of Becky's blog and my blog.
  • You must leave your email address with your comment.
  • Open to residents of the United States and Canada.
  • Earn bonus entries (+1 each) by posting this on Facebook, your blog, and/or Twitter.
  • Deadline to enter is midnight EST Thursday, June 5, 2014. Winner will be chosen by random.org, notified via email, and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Have you read any memoirs this year? Do you have any questions for Becky? 
Have a great week,  
Karen

48 comments :

  1. Becky and I actually email sometime - she's on my "Thought of the Day" email list. I would love to enter the giveaway. I am a GFC follower of both blogs and my email address is keith_wynn@hotmail.com. Have a great day Karen and Becky :)

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    1. Hi Keith! (Mr. OE!) Thank you very much for entering the contest! I'm doin' the Happy Dance!

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  2. Congrats to Becky! I really like her cover. Please let someone else win though. I have too many books to read right now.

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    1. Hello Natalie! I'm glad you like the cover. Gosh, don't let having too many books keep you from entering....I think we all have too many! :)

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  3. Keith,
    It's a small world, isn't it? :) Got your name on the list!

    Natalie,
    The cover is sweet, isn't it? :) I hear you on the books - my TBR pile is enormous!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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    1. Hi Karen! Thank you again for having me as your guest today! I'll be back many times to reply to comments.....most likely later in the afternoon and early evening. I'm still preparing for my Career Day presentation. Yes, I'm a procrastinator! :)

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    2. It's a pleasure to have you visit, Becky! Wish you all the best with the presentation! :)

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  4. I would love to be entered to win Becky Povitch's book! What a wonderful title....I'm new so just to be sure I've met the criteria, here's my email: VickieNewmanBooks@gmail.com. Thank you for such a lovely blogpost!

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    1. Hi Vickie! I'm happy to meet you, and glad you entered the contest! Thanks so much!

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  5. That sounds like quite a journey. Memoir is a wonderful way to explore and revisit ourselves. So much to find in our own history.

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    1. Hi Cleemckenzie! Thank you for your comments. It really WAS quite a journey, and although it was a long, and zig-zaggy one, I'm so glad I chose to take it. I honestly learned some things about myself that I wasn't aware of before I finished my memoir.

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  6. Loved reading about my pal Becky here. Her book is on my "must buy" list, but I've wanted to be sure the copy I get is signed, so I hope I win this one!

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    1. Hi Lisa! Thank you so much! I think you've entered in more than one of my giveaways, haven't you? Maybe this time you'll be the winning number!

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  7. Nice interview. Thank you so much for sharing it along with the giveaway.

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    1. Hi Lady Lilith! I'm glad you enjoyed the interview! Are you entering the contest, too? I hope so!

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  8. Vickie,
    Nice to meet you! I think you covered everything to enter, thanks for doing that. :) So glad you enjoyed the post!

    Lee,
    I think you are right; it is a nice way to learn more about ourselves. We really can grow that way, can't we? :)

    Lisa,
    I thought you might know Becky! Glad you came by. :) If you can, leave us your email, will you? Thanks!

    Lilith,
    So glad you enjoyed the post! It was a pleasure to interview Becky. :) She's a wonderful guest!

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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    1. Hi Karen! Thank you again for being such a lovely host. I'm sorry I'm so late in coming back to reply to comments this evening. I'll definitely be back much more often during the day tomorrow!

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  9. It is a most excellent book - and I cherish my copy. I only mourn that I can't meet Becky for a cuppa to continue the conversation we started with her blog and book. Memoirs fall into my must read categories often - and Becky's didn't disappoint. And I hope she is diligently working on the sequel. Now.

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    1. Thank you very much, Ms. EC! ...and yes, I mourn the fact, too, that we live on opposite ends of the universe! Maybe SOMEDAY I'll visit Australia. Wouldn't that be wonderful?? And thank you for your praise of my memoir. I can't say I'm "diligently" working on the sequel, but I'm trying to find/make the time to do that!

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  10. Hi Ladies - I've tweeted this interview! Have a great day. Blessings, Susan :)

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    1. Hi Susan! Thank you so much for tweeting about this for us! It's much appreciated!

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  11. Ms. EC,
    Thanks so much for stopping by to support Becky! It's good to meet you. :) I am sure other readers feel the same way - wanting Becky to finish that next book!

    Susan,
    Thanks so much for spreading the word! We appreciate it. :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  12. Would love to win Becky's book..it sound's wonderful!!!! pml13504@aol.com

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    1. Hello pml13504! How fun to "meet" a new follower...and especially one who thinks my book sounds wonderful! :)
      Feel free to stop by my blog anytime! My e-mail address is listed on my Profile Page, too, if you'd ever like to e-mail me. Thank you for entering the contest!

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  13. Becky and I have been blog/snail mail friends for a few years now. She is such a wonderful, friendly gal. Reading her memoir is definitely something I want to do. I'm following you too, so I think i meet the criteria for entering the giveaway. pattiamg27@gmail.com

    A Girl Named Zippy has been on my Goodreads "to read" list for over a year now. Since I have over a hundred titles on the to-read list, it may take me awhile to get to it, but I will...one day.

    I recently read "Dinner with the Smileys," a memoir which I intend to review on my blog one of these days. It's the story of how the Smiley family (mom and 3 boys) coped with Dad's year-long deployment, by inviting people in their community to share a meal with them once a week. Inspiring and sweet.

    Thanks,
    Patti

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    1. Hi Patti! Aw, gee...thanks! You're pretty friendly and wonderful, too! :)
      You're the second person today who mentioned their TBR pile, and how it's "in order"...and I can visualize this huge stack of books, stacked all the way to the ceiling! LOL
      I always have lots of books laying around to read (....lying around?) but I just dig in and choose one! No particular order for me. I guess that explains my disorganization! Thanks for being a great friend and for entering the contest!

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  14. PM,
    Glad you stopped by. Becky's fun to have around, isn't she? :) It's good to meet you!

    Patti,
    Sounds like you have read some winners lately! I'll have to check them out. Appreciate the info about them. Nice to meet you! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  15. This memoir sounds interesting, a real winner. I'm glad to meet Becky. sharif(at)sharifwrites(dot)com

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    1. Hi Medeia! Thanks for stopping and commenting! We actually met recently on your blog when you were BLITZED! :)

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  16. Interesting, how the Lord directs our steps. I love that little twist. Makes you wonder what else He's got up His sleeve for down the road. :)

    Nice to meet Becky, Karen.

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    1. Hi Rhonda! Nice to meet you! Yes, I've definitely had a zig-zaggy road to publication....and I'm continuing to enjoy the journey, writing the sequel!

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  17. Hi Becky and Karen! I love the title to this book! (Not that I can relate to it or anything. Ha!) It's always interesting to read about what motivates people to write. You had several nudges, didn't you. How brave to expose your life and feel so confident that you can keep going! Best of blessings on your road. It sounds like a challenging and exciting one.
    Ceil

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    1. Hi Ceil! Great to meet you! One of my acquaintances in high school went by the name Ceil! I hadn't thought of her in a long time. I'm so glad you love the title of my memoir. I've gotten many great reactions when I tell people what it is! And thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate them!

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  18. Medeia,
    Glad you liked the interview. Somehow I thought you might like Becky. :)

    Rhonda,
    It is interesting, isn't it? You just don't always know where the road will take you! :)

    Ceil,
    I agree, I think Becky is a brave one. Wishing her much success! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  19. Becky, I love the cover and the title. Both brought warm thoughts and lots of curiosity. Best of success with your book. Thanks for sharing Becky, Karen.

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    1. Hi Joylene! I deleted my first reply to you because I posted it in the incorrect "reply" area! Thank you very much for your kind words! It's great to meet you.

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  21. Sounds like a book so many of us can relate to. Congrats Becky.

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    1. Hi Susan! Thanks so much for stopping and leaving your comment! You made my morning.. :)

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  22. Joylene,
    The cover is great, isn't it? It's been a real treat to have Becky stop by this week! :)

    Susan,
    I think you are right! Wishing Becky all the best, that's for sure! :)

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  23. And thank you once again, Karen! It's been a delight visiting your blog and meeting new friends!

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  24. I see I'm too late to the party, but that just means Becky's guaranteed one more book sale. ;-)

    Enjoyed the interview--and I absolutely remember when Becky was trying to decide on the name for her memoir. Fun times...The journey for this book has been a long one but I've been so inspired. Well done, Becky, and thank you, Karen, for sharing her story!

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    1. Hey Ms. Cathy C! Thank you for your sweet comments! It's been great sharing my journey with writer-blog friends like you! AND, I was fortunate enough to meet YOU in person!!...AND Cathy on a Stick! :)

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  25. That was a delightful interview with our Becky, Karen. Thank you so much!

    Unfortunately, I do not belong to Google+. I mean, I'm on Google and follow both your and Becky's blog, but I don't know if that's what is required for the giveaway. Anyway, if I'm eligible, please put in my name. Thanks.

    Karen, by the way, please, if you can, check out my post today. It's about a new blogger and writer and she could use all the support of people in blogland. Thanks! Susan

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    1. Hi Susan! Yes, you're the "right kind" of follower, but too late to the dance! :(
      The drawing was Thursday night. I'm sure I'll be having more give-aways, so keep your eyes open! And thanks for posting about Vickie, because I just met her on HERE, and when I first checked, all she had was the Google + thingy, which I don't have either. So, I'm very happy to know she has a blog! Thanks much!

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  26. Cathy,
    Thanks for coming by! Better late than never! Glad you enjoyed the interview. :)

    Susan,
    Becky's right, you are a follower already through GFC. Sorry for the confusion. :) Thank you for coming to see us! Will hop over to your blog shortly.

    Happy writing,
    Karen

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  27. Hi Karen and Becky ... I'm pleased you got to see your father again for a short time and that it stimulated you to write ... Memoir with family is tricky isn't it ... I haven't gone that route - but will at some stage ... I love the title - From Pigtails to Chin Hairs .. such a fun take on getting old ..

    Cheers Hilary

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  28. Hilary,
    So glad you were able to stop by and see Becky. She's a gem, and I imagine her book is a winner!
    Have a good week,
    Karen

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Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. Have a blessed day!