What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
The ghost mall phenomenon inspired Mall Goddess. Having grown up in the Midwest, I’m struck by the transformation of malls from fun meeting places to acres of emptiness. I hope these old buildings will transform in a positive way. So, I set a story in a crumbling behemoth. The characters within the mall battle against changing times and corruption. It’s a light-hearted read, but it’s firmly grounded in the real-life evolution of brick-and-mortar to online retail, and how this impacts people’s financial stability and community connections.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Main character mall custodian Kylie is punk. She’s non-conformist and has a strong do-it-yourself mentality. She’s also a true creature of the 1990s. If I had to pick one song, I’d say “Welcome to Paradise” by Green Day, a band that created music with a punk vibe and often an anti-establishment message. The lyrics are about moving into an abandoned place. Kylie creates her art in a secret, unauthorized sculpting studio in the abandoned Kmart attached to the mall. I think the song’s message of fear and freedom would resonate with her.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I’m a multi-genre reader and writer at heart, but often I gravitate to contemporary literary fiction—stories that speak some kind of truth about the world we live in. I also love mysteries, thrillers, and cozy fiction, and that mix is exactly what shows up in Mall Goddess: it has the atmosphere of a cozy read, but it’s built on real ground.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and Land by Maggie O’Farrell.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Paulo Coelho said, “If you are never alone, you cannot know yourself.” I loved writing passages where Kylie was alone in the mall, at night, just her, the universe, and her dreams of becoming an artist. I think the moments where Kylie is on her own, patrolling the mall, is where she is most herself and we get to know her the best. Plus, when writing these, I’d have a great time going down a rabbit hole of checking out online pics of abandoned malls for inspiration.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I have two beautiful, rambunctious Persian cats, Pearl and Wilma. My main “writing habit” is really just damage control. Wilma is the unapologetic laptop keyboard walker. Pearl gives me the stare-down until she gets chin scratches. Writing with these two takes a bit of willpower!
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I love the Agatha Christie quote, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” Some days writing comes more easily than others. But the most important thing you have to do is begin!
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
Change stalks all of us, whether it’s a mall going dark or a whole community facing an uncertain economic future. I want readers to remember from Mall Goddess that reinvention and transformation are always possible. Create what’s inside of you, find your community, even when everything around you says it’s time to give up.
