Listen In On the Literary Lane at www.DavidsBookTalk.com
by Susan I. Shiber
Sitting down to a David English interview is like opening a magical door. Behind it are secrets, amazing anecdotes, and rarely revealed gems about authors and their dreams. The show is on anytime you want it to be. Just pop into www.DavidsBookTalk.com and share his author visits as often as you like. You'll be hooked almost at once.
A recent chat featured Chester County favorite Lisa Scottoline and her new book, Save Me. The New York Times bestselling author took a different route as she spun a drama so compelling that few readers will put it down. She examines the emotional impact of a mother's love for her daughter and offered up moral dilemma, a longhidden past, and consequences that run amok.
Fictional character Rose McKenna is a mom devoted to protecting her daughter Melly from the perils of a new elementary school. Melly, born with a port-wine stain on her cheek, is a frequent victim of teasing by Amanda, a pretty mean girl, and her friends. The cafeteria provides a source of unhappiness for Melly, who often flees from uproars of giggles and taunts. Rose likens these verbal attacks to bullying and volunteers to serve as lunch mom so she can observe her daughter's plight. She is determined to show the laughing lunchroom leader how wrong her treatment is, but even a teacher impedes Rose's intervention. Then, an explosion in the kitchen quickly changes everything. As a billowing fireball overtakes the cafeteria, Rose has a crucial decision to make: save Melly or save Amanda!
English, who met Scottoline 20 books ago, brings her on his show once a year. This latest talk delves into some of Save Me's intricacies without giving too much away. Because many of her books are rapt in feeling, English wondered why she enjoys writing emotion. "Because I'm Italian," she quips. "I'm a woman, too, so it's a double whammy. Another reason is that I'm a big opera fan where drama really matters."
"Save Me tugs at your heart and makes you want to care," points out English. "Yes, it explores deeper issues and really plumbs what it means to be a parent," she agrees.
"What would you have done at the cafeteria when the fire broke out?" asks English. "Split the difference," she replies. "Try to get one kid out and then return for the other. I worked very hard on the details of the fire. Rose tried to do too much and didn't do anything very well. Both kids almost died because she overestimated her ability to access the situation. You ask the best questions, David."
During the interview, it was revealed that both English and Scottoline were bullied in high school. English muses that perhaps he should have just slugged the guy, while Scottoline isn't sure if fighting back helps. Save Me burrows into bullying and dramatizes events in Rose's past. "I found chapters 45 and 46 to be my favorites," compliments English. "They were Lisa at her best." "Rose confesses something that happened long ago," responds Scottoline. "When I write passages that are so heartfelt, it's almost as if I'm acting them all out in my head."
Scottoline emphasizes the danger of gossip in the book as she discusses a Save Me premise with English. "Gossip is really scary and the Internet inflames it. In a nanosecond, everybody can receive completely wrong information. You spread nasty stuff, and the bell can't be unrung."
English, who is one of the author's biggest fans, recalls when three or four people came to her book signings — and now 300 or 400 show up. "Yet you never tower over anyone. You don't say, 'I'm Lisa Scottoline; I'm a big author.' You act just like a normal human being." "I am just a normal human being. I think everyone is. I don't put on airs."
When English asks what she has learned after 20 books, she exclaims, "Oh David, you're really in the zone!" What she says she has learned is: "Insecurity never goes away. But, it's okay to be anxious. It helps you do a really great job or more than you need to. You can't just fold up your tent if you lose."
The DavidsBookTalk.com interview concludes with a peek at Scottoline's next book. It took her to the Justice Department and FBI for research, and "I've already said too much," she admits. "Have you picked a title?" asks English. "No. I know half the story, but have no middle or end. I am really loving this one, though."
English notes that a day when he talks with Lisa is always beautiful. Their mutual respect is evident during the interview, which is more like a conversation with two old friends. He has a style that makes authors feel comfortable and eager to open up. One reason is because the show's format isn't boilerplate. "I like unusual questions, not typical ones that are always asked." When peppered for examples, English chuckles. "I asked Rizzoli & Isles author Tess Gerritsen what she first bought when she became famous. It was underwear! Jonathan Kellerman, the suspense novelist, owns approximately 60 guitars. I don't want to know sordid details of writers' lives. I want to tell them how much I love their books. The thrill of meeting authors never ends for me. It's been lifechanging and challenging. I'm always looking for the next guest."
English, who works at Chester County Book & Music Company, launched DavidsBookTalk.com two years ago. The website evolved almost as a fluke from an A.M. talk radio show. "I called in the Ridley Pearson program and had a long conversation with the host and Debbie Neckel, who was with the station. We got to know each other very well, and when the station changed to a religious format, Debbie helped me do my own show on LeisureTalk.net, her website. My brother John helps me with the current site. My ultimate goal is to produce a call-in radio show."
We had to know a few other goals, such as his dream interview. "Stephen King and Dean Koontz," he replied instantly. We then gave him back his own question: What would you do if you were famous? "I'd probably buy a house with a big garden. During an interview, Anne Perry described her home in Scotland. I would love something like that, and maybe my own bookstore, too."
English is never blasé or complacent despite hundreds of interviews with brilliant writers. "It's exciting to get to know an author and talk to famous people. It makes me feel important. Plus, the readership community is so wonderful. People who read a lot tend to be interesting and nice," he surmises.
Those people are loyal fans of DavidsBookTalk.com. The site has recorded more than a million hits, and most visitors come back dozens of times. They login from 25-plus countries, including China, Germany, Moldova, Spain, Brazil, Thailand, Latvia, India, Iran, and Turkey.
There's something for every reader at the clean, uncluttered website. Steve Martini, Dee Wallace, David Baldacci, Camilla Läckberg (English proclaims that this Swedish author is better than Stieg Larsson), Alex Brown, Mary Higgins Clark, Zack Hample, and Pat Cooper are among many informative author chats. Make DavidsBookTalk.com the first stop before choosing your next read.
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