The Lost Sister - An interview with Kathleen McGurl!
INTERVIEW WITH KATHLEEN MCGURL ON HER EXCITING
NEW NOVEL: THE LOST SISTER.
⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓️⚓️
What inspired the epic story of The Lost Sister? Please share a little of this novel’s origins.
I can remember the exact moment the idea came into my head for this one. I was sitting in a pub with my brother, pre-Covid, and he was telling me about a book he’d just bought about RMS Olympic. ‘Titanic’s sister ship,’ he said. ‘Actually, there were three sisters…’ Those words, ‘three sisters’ just seemed to stick in my mind and I immediately began thinking about a book centred around three sisters who work on the three sister ships.
There are a number of Titanic inspired stories available. Although it’s unlikely you or any of us have read all of them, what, in your opinion, possibly makes your novel unique or different?
I do love reading Titanic-inspired novels! I suppose what makes my book different is that all three of the ‘Olympic class’ liners are featured, and Titanic’s sinking although obviously an important part of the story is not actually the climax of the story.
The Lost Sister would have required a fair amount of research due to the history of the three White Star Line sister ships and their two known disasters that you utilised in one timeline and the health issues and treatments in the other. What resources did you use that you found most helpful?
My brother lent me lots of books about the ships, including ones that contained lots of interior photographs and another that included many first-hand accounts of the Titanic story. I also came across a memoir by stewardess Violet Jessop who unbelievably worked on all three of the ships. She was known as ‘the unsinkable’. She features as a minor character in my book.
For the leukaemia story line, I did most of my research online but I did ask a friend who’s been through cancer treatment herself to act as a beta reader, to be sure I had my facts right on this sensitive part of the novel.
Was this a difficult novel to write, considering the initial two (Harriet & Emma) and then later three (Lily) points of view and dual-timelines? If any, which character’s viewpoint was hardest to compose? Which timeline was most challenging to devise: the historical or present day? Feel free to share any aspects of this novel’s creation.
I wrote the historical story quite quickly – because it had to be true to real events its structure was already determined. The Violet Jessop memoir, plus the classic account of Titanic’s sinking ‘A Night to Remember’ were invaluable. As always, I wrote this part first then slotted the contemporary story around it.
The contemporary story was harder to write, but as we were downsizing our house ourselves at the time I was able to write Harriet’s story of thinning down possessions, house-hunting and moving more or less from life!
There are some big themes, motifs/recurring patterns in this novel. Did you wrestle with any of them? If so, which one(s) and why?
The main themes are sibling rivalry and family loyalty. I did wrestle a lot with Davina’s character – Harriet’s estranged daughter. In an early draft she was far too unlikable and there was no good reason why she had run away as a teen. It was difficult to get the balance right in her story.
Your story offers the reader an incredible emotional journey through the hearts of a wonderful cast of unforgettable characters who deal with courage, fear, heartbreak, loss, forgiveness, redemption and numerous other responses and life experiences. Do you have a favourite character from either or both of the timelines? And what qualities of this/these character(s) do you most admire or dislike?
I rather like Harriet – she’s been through a lot but despite her own heartbreaks she’s always there for her family, and her steadfastness pays off in the end.
Was there a memorable or stand out moment during the writing of The Lost Sister when an extra special ingredient came to you that you were able to inject into the story to make it shimmer as it does? (And this story truly shines!) If so, please share.
There’s a twist near the end, that I call ‘the Connor twist’ after my son who suggested it. I wasn’t completely certain it would work, and ended up writing it in, taking it out, and then putting it back in. Can’t say what it is because it’d be a spoiler!
What scene did you most enjoy or find difficult creating for The Lost Sister and why?
The scenes on Titanic’s lifeboat were heartbreaking to write, and I found myself crying every time I edited them. Having said that, although they were emotionally difficult to write, the words flowed well at that point and I was able to get a first draft written quickly. So, I both enjoyed writing this part and found it difficult, if that makes sense!
During the writing of The Lost Sister what fact did you uncover from research that got you excited and that you were able to incorporate into the story?
Violet Jessop described in her memoir how as she boarded the last lifeboat leaving Titanic, a man thrust a baby into her arms. She held onto it throughout that long night. When she went onboard the rescue ship Carpathia, a woman squealed with joy, took the baby from her, and Violet never saw it again. When I read this, I knew I had to include it, for the emotional impact it could bring.
Were there any personal experiences tied in with or that helped you in the writing of The Lost Sister? It is apparent that this book was lovingly crafted from an interest in famous ships. Are there any special connections that you have to the settings?
I grew up near Southampton, the port from which Titanic set sail on her maiden voyage. As a child I would hear the foghorns of ships at night as they sailed out of Southampton Water, and if I stood at the end of our road I could see them in the distance. I’ve only been on a cruise ship once though – for a weekend voyage as a 40th birthday treat from my husband. It’s something I’d love to do more of when the pandemic is over.
Cindy, thanks so much for having me on your blog, and for your ongoing support. I hope your readers enjoy this interview. It’s been fun answering the questions!
Thank you for being my guest again, Kathleen, and I am sure readers here in Australia and across the world will be thrilled to read of what you have shared on this interview and will be keen to get a copy of your newest release.
Thanks, also, to Kathleen, and her publisher HQ Stories for an advanced copy of The Lost Sister. Read my review here (also available on Good Reads).
E-copies of The Lost Sister are available at numerous online avenues: Amazon, Apple Books, Kindle, etc. Paperbacks of her novels can be ordered through your favourite bookshops and online venders including Amazon, Book Depository, Booktopia and others.
I am certain The Lost Sister will be a huge success and everyone will be lining up on May 12th, 2021 to download their e-book and then on July 8th, 2021 to pick up a physical copy. Even when I have a digital copy, I want the paperback version so always order one when released. It adds to the experience but also helps support the author: something that means a great deal to me and others. To keep those stories coming, we need to buy the books of authors we love. And to spread the word in book clubs, friendship circles, media sites, anywhere we can be heard so that they too can learn of these great treasures. As one bookstore’s bookmark says: I LOVE BOOKS!
