Kelly Simmons is a former journalist and creative advertising director who started writing fiction over fifteen years ago, while studying creative writing and screenwriting at Temple University and University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her critically acclaimed novels {STANDING STILL, THE BIRD HOUSE, ONE MORE DAY, THE FIFTH OF JULY and WHERE SHE WENT}, she has stuff on a few back burners: developing a TV series, writing a memoir, perfecting her dessert game.
She's a visiting teacher for Drexel University's Storylab and is a member of The Liars Club writing mentorship collective, The Tall Poppy Writers, Womens Fiction Writers Association, and Binders Full of Women Writers. (Bio courtesy of Kelly's website.)
Visit Kelly online:
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What happens when your worst fear comes true?
Her only daughter has just gone away to college, and Maggie O'Farrell knows she's turning into one of those helicopter parents she used to mock. Worrying constantly, texting more than she should, even occasionally dropping by the campus "just to say hi." But Maggie can't shake the feeling that something terrible is about to happen to Emma. And then, just as Maggie starts to relax, her daughter disappears.
The clues are disturbing. An empty dorm room where Emma was supposedly living. A mysterious boy described as Future Husband in her phone. Dorm-mates who seem more sinister than friendly. As Maggie combs over the campus looking for signs of her daughter, she learns more about Emma's life than she ever thought possible.
Kelly Simmons delivers another gripping novel in Where She Went, an unforgettable story of letting go and the secrets that surface when the person keeping them is gone. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
What was the biggest reward and the biggest challenge with writing Where She Went?
The biggest reward was having my college age daughters as beta readers and getting their approval and feedback that i handled the world of college correctly! And the biggest challenge was trying to keep the voices of mother and daughter discrete and separate, but not in an obvious way. I didn’t want to impersonate a young person, but get inside her head and understand her.
How are you similar to or different from Maggie?
I’m similar in that i did not go to college and i was fascinated and taken in by the college experience. I used all those feelings to create Maggie’s perspective of how great college seemed to be. But she is a more of a loose cannon, tougher, and more forceful person than i am. But who knows what i would become if i were in her position, with my child missing, and no partner to help me, and no sleep and no money and ???? Who knows if i could become Maggie.
If Where She Went were made into a movie, who would play the leading roles?
I continue to see Sandra Bullock as Maggie, and Alexis Bledel (from Gilmore Girls) as Emma. But she’s too old! I need to rethink. . . .
What do you like most about October?
Fall is my favorite season (although i’m fond of spring as well) — when i lived in California that was what i missed about the Midwest —autumn. I love the changing leaves and pumpkins on porches. And soup. I love soup!
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
Booksmart! It was so funny. And no one has seen it! Go watch it. Trust me. I’ve seen it three times already with my daughters, it’s a mom and daughter movie. Although a tad racy and profane, so don’t bring a sixth grader!
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
I find everything funny. Recently my husband and I forgot when his friends were coming to visit. First he screwed up the date and tried to pick them up when they weren’t there. We called and were like “where are you?” And they were like, we’re home watching TV! Then he screwed up the time they were arriving the next day. And they were standing on the dock calling us saying, “where are you?????” Then when they left, we brought them to the wrong dock. They were hysterical, they were like, you don’t want us here! This is a sign that you don’t love us! I guess what I’m saying is I find everyday failure kind of funny!
Thanks to Kelly for visiting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.
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18 comments:
This is definitely one for me to read! I just sent mine off to college!
I lived on campus but it was only 45 minutes from my home, so I saw my parents very frequently while I was in college.
I had one child and it was very painful to leave her behind at college. She did well and grew into a marvelous young woman.
I lived in the same city and took a bus to campus everyday. This was many years ago.
My relationship with my parents has always been open and trusting, including when l was in college
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My son went to a local community college, so he was home every day.
I had a good relationship with my parents when I went away to college.
It was pretty much business as usual. She lived at home.
I lived at home when I went to college.
I had a hard time when my kids went off to college. When my first went I still had two home but three years later they both went off at the same time (twins) and suddenly my house was very, very quiet. Well, my husband was still there LOL.
I went to college at night through a tuition reimbursement program at work, after I had 2 kids & while working a full-time job. My parents helped me by babysitting a few days a week because I was a single parent. My oldest son is taking courses now to change his career, while working full-time. My youngest son is in Army AIT training out of state. We all support each other in my tight knit family.
was good
My son did not go to college. I lived at home during college. I went to a junior college for nursing school way back when...in the early 70's. Everything was fine with my parents and I. i moved out when I graduated.
My college years with my parents was rocky!
My son went to a community college and lived at home, I was always trying to keep track of his work and grades. He did get an Associates Degree which I was thankful for. Thanks for this awesome giveaway.
I was very proud of our sons accomplishments.
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