Author Q&A

Q&A with the author of Forever Retro Bluesicon, Kitty Schooley.

The Music

Are there any songs that have changed your life?

I'd say there are a few. I can remember being very young and wanting to emulate my teenage cousins listening to KXOK in St. Louis. My interest really took off with the Beatles appearing on Ed Sullivan-the era of I wanna hold your Hand. I'd say that the next song that really changed my perspective about music was Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love. That song really blew my mind. That's saying a lot when I had already heard Jimi Hendrix.

What was the first album you recall owning?

I'm not even sure, but I know it was Elvis Presley. The ownership wasn't even free and clear-everything at that time was co-owned with my brother and sister. Our next album that we pooled our money for was Meet the Beatles.

What is the first rock concert you ever went to?

I was a real teeny-bopper! I went to see Where the Action Is road show featuring Paul Revere and the Raiders. At the time, we were of the mind to put on our best dresses for the occasion--I wasn't alone, every other girl in the audience had also. That was quite different from the concerts later in high school when I saw Grand Funk Railroad with Bloodrock as the opening act. The next one was Alice Cooper (I don't think he even was wearing make-up or using snakes in the act) and Brownsville Station (a retro sounding band in the 70's!) and Ted Nugent--before he ever had a hit. We were all sitting on the floor of the Arena Annex in St. Louis.

What is your musical background?

I'd taken piano and been in girls' chorus when I was in grade school. I took class piano in college at Meramec Community College and class woodwinds in addition to music history at Webster College. I was shy as an adult about using my voice and began taking voice lessons to improve not only my singing voice, but also my speaking voice. That led to joining the community chorus for a few years. I began taking piano lessons again seven years ago to improve my musicianship.

How did you start writing songs?

About the same time I was taking voice lessons, I started writing the book, Forever Retro Blues. The character that became Vinnie was a musician-a guitarist, singer and songwriter. When I was developing the character, he seemed to be best suited toward the blues. So I started writing down and humming what I thought was the sort of songs he would write.

How did you get your songs developed?

I was very fortunate to have met Sean Moore as a co-worker. Sean had talked to me in the past about CT Songwriter's Association. I no longer worked with Sean, but I called him up and said I thought I was writing songs. He told me when and where the next meeting was. CSA is a great organization to network with other songwriters and musicians.

So that's how you met your collaborators?

Yes, it took me several months just to get up and read some lyrics I'd written to the tune of a Robert Plant song. I had already started developing melodies and had been getting some help from my piano teacher, Milliann. Somehow, when I start from a melody that's already written, I can't get it out of my head and write a new one to it. So when Bobbi Tammaro heard the lyrics to Stay with Me, I'll be your Man, he said it sounded like a "Landlord song" (Landlord of Love, a.k.a. Peter Gale). Landlord wrote a note on one of my critic sheets and I called him. He sent me a tape and then asked if I was interested in developing the song further. We went into Bobbi's studio.

How successful was that song?

That song was the first one for both Landlord and me to win a CSA recognition award. It can be heard on Best of CSA, Vol. 6.

What other successes have you had?

Going into the studio with Peter Gale and Bobbi Tammaro, I got the bug. I developed Salvation that also won a CSA recognition award and was picked up for two years by a music publisher. The rights have since reverted back to me.

Why the blues?

Blues music is more life realistic than most pop songs. Besides if you dig deep enough, you'll find that all rock has evolved from the blues. Elvis Presley's first recording was blues music and the Beatles started out playing blues. The Rolling Stones, Yardbirds, and many of the British invasion bands were bringing back blues music to the shores that originated them.

Isn't it depressing?

Not at all. Blues can be a celebration of life as easily as describe being down and out. Mostly, it's heartfelt. It originated from African tribal traditions of singing the news-both good and bad.

Do you plan to develop any more songs?

My life has been playing like a blues tune-the down and out variety-lately. But I can't imagine music not being a part of my life and my writing.

What song will you be developing next?

I will likely be developing a song from Songbirds: the Ballad of Bridget and Brian that is titled Too Old to Rock'n'Roll.

There are songs in your second book?

Yes, and this time the songwriter is a woman, Bridget.

Is she a blues musician?

Not really. I do admire Joan Osborne and Bonnie Raitt-two phenomenally successful and talented women in the blues genre. But Bridget was modeled more after Carole King than a blues musician. That is, musically, she resembles Carole King-not in other ways that I know of.

Why was she modeled after Carole King?

Because Carole King had the most successful album in 1971 and that's the time frame I was writing about.

Who was your first musician, Vinnie, modeled after?

That's harder to tack down because he was more of an amalgamation. I borrowed characteristics from Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Michael Bloomfield, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jonny Lang, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. There was a little Jeff Beck, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Ray Davies thrown in for good measure. Then there was a dash of George Thorogood. In other words, "blue-eyed blues" or "blonde-haired blues."

The Writing

Why should I read your book Forever Retro Blues?

First, for entertainment. It's also an enjoyable way to pick up information about Blues and Rock music. I touch on many issues that are of current interest: alcoholism, substance abuse, and recovery, women rights, abuse of women, divorce and sexuality. For Baby Boomers, like myself, it's a really nostalgic trip. With shows like That 70's Show popular and movies like Almost Famous, I know my book has a place in the mainstream. The latest show in this nostalgic vein is American Dreams.

Why did you start writing?

I was reading a novel by Jane Hamilton, The Book of Ruth, her first book, and it dawned on me: I could do this! I'm intelligent and well educated and I can learn whatever I need to finish a book. I was also well organized and disciplined from years as an IT professional.

Where did you get your idea for Forever Retro Bluesicon?

Two characters originated from my dreams-and I've found that I'm in good company mining my dreams. Many writers, artist and scientist-i.e., creative people-mine their dreams. I kept playing with the ideas, character and plot in my mind. It was important to me that the characters grow up in St. Louis, as I did, because I never have read a book that the majority of the location was St. Louis. I was also drawn to write about a period of discovery so that it was natural to write about adolescence, early adulthood, and the Vietnam War era.

How did you come up with the title?

I was going to lunch with a co-worker and friend. We were both big music fans and liked a lot of variety. I made a reference to my then husband, who I said was "forever retro blues." Charlie said that would make a good tile. In the beginning, I rejected the idea. But I warmed to it, and one of the comments my editor has made was that it really is an original title.

How do you write? When do you write?

I write directly on my PC. I even journal sometimes on my PC. It's very natural for me having been an IT professional for more than 19 years. I have to admit, early in my programming career, I used to write the changes on a piece of paper and then code them in. But things move fast in technology, and I got used to doing everything on a machine. For when, I made it a habit to get up early every morning and write first thing. That lasted for about 2.5 years. Since I haven't been working outside the home, I write right after breakfast and a walk. I find writing in the morning is best.

Do you rewrite?

Forever Retro Blues went through three major rewrites! I've done reading and research on the subject and I don't think there is anyone who doesn't. Creative people tend to be perfectionist and want to continue to tinker with their creations-hoping they'll get them perfect. I also think it's a good way to get thoroughly familiar with your plot, characters, and your good writing arenas-not just looking for what's wrong and fixing it.

As you can see I've also done songwriting. Songwriting tends to get rewritten until it's actually recorded to be released on a retail recording. Even then, someone else could do a cover and it would become different.

How autobiographical is your novel, Forever Retro Blues?

I think almost all authors borrow from their life, and that's all I did. I grew up in St. Louis and the characters did also. I hung out in Forest Park after the hippies started congregating there, and the characters did. I went to a lot of the same concerts and movies. I enjoyed a lot of the same music. I had a lot of questions about the war and politics. However, there were just as many differences. Although my parents divorced and my father is alcoholic, my mother never remarried. I went to Meramec Community College and Webster College and not University of Missouri at Columbia. I never knew anyone who was famous or who has become famous. The only place in LA I've been is the airport.

How did you write about LA if you've never been there?

I've already mentioned my friend that I had lunch with. He had lived in LA during the 70's and 80's. His wife grew up there and his kids were born there. When I decided that the one character would move out there, I started coming to lunch with questions in a steno book and I would drill Charlie. I also captured things other people who'd lived there or been there said. I did research at the library-books and magazine articles-and checked out movies that gave a flavor of what life was like there. My editor, Roberta, has a sister who lives out there and has visited often-she said she wouldn't have known I had never been there had I not told her.

Was there any other research?

Writing this novel changed my life in many unexpected ways! I was writing about a musician and although I loved music and had a bit of piano as a kid and in college, I wasn't a musician. I took voice lessons, joined the community chorus, and eventually took piano lessons. I thought, as I was getting into the musician character, I was writing songs, so I'd heard about CSA from a former co-worker and called him up. I met Peter Gale there who became my first collaborator, and Bobbi Tammaro who arranged and produced my demos. I also ended up in a one-night class on self-publishing and met Brian Judd who was the founder of CAPA.

You mention self-publishing, but you're using print-on-demand. What made you decide to use print-on-demand?

I've had a lot of life changes recently that prohibit me from investing my own money in publishing the book. I did make an attempt at the traditional route, but then heard about print-on-demand from another CAPA member. This is really new technology that means your up front investment is minimal. You also don't have an inventory to care for. And the book is available through all retail outlets and on-line outlets. In the traditional route, I would have had very little control over my cover art, but I was able to design my own with print-on-demand.

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BIO

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It Resume

Writing Achievements

Broken Shell

Fantasy Man

Love You Tonight

Oh Lord Have Mercy on my Soul

Salvation

Stay with Me I'll Be your Man

Boats, Books & Brushes Article

Songbirds sample

Chase the Darkness sample

© 2003 Kitty Schooley

 

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