Comments on: The 5-Question [Author] Interview: Hope Edelman

By: Alisa Bowman

Alisa Bowman — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:21:16 +0000

Meredith–This is a great interview with great answers. I can’t wait to share it with my book club, which read and adored her most recent book. So thrilling that you were able to interview her! I particularly liked the part about what to cut out and how to do it–but all of it was great.

By: Chantal

Chantal — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 20:28:54 +0000

Great interview. I find it interesting that Hope chose to write her memoir in the present tense to help her bring alive the past. I took a mediabistro class last year where the instructor told us to write at least our first draft of our memoir in the present tense. It really works.

By: Stephanie - Wasabimon

Stephanie - Wasabimon — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:38:34 +0000

Intriguing! Thank you so much for this. A wonderful interview, as always.

By: Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell

Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:48:40 +0000

OMG, I’m a big fan of Motherless Daughters and I love this interview! I love the outtake concept. You’ve built this scene and it doesn’t quite work, but you just don’t want to hit the “delete” button. Great idea to put them aside. Although you rarely ever find a place for them, I like the idea of them being tucked away somewhere. Thanks for the great interview, Meredith and insight, Hope!

By: Jennifer Haupt

Jennifer Haupt — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:33:43 +0000

Very nice interview. The Possibility of Everything gives one much to think about, as does its author.

By: Jennifer Margulis

Jennifer Margulis — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:09:53 +0000

Hope is amazing and I’m so glad to see her featured here. She is just as brilliant in person as she is on paper. I loved reading all of this writerly wisdom. Go Hope! Go Meredith! Thanks to both of you!!

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:03:00 +0000

Interesting to hear Hope feels there’s a moment when a manuscript takes off and everything comes together. This interview confirms my impression of her being such an empathetic person. I loved The Impossibility of Everything. Thanks for searching her out for this interview!

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:12:04 +0000

Great interview! I love what she said about “Outtakes.” I do something similar because I have such a hard time letting go!

By: Kristen J. Gough

Kristen J. Gough — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 18:08:01 +0000

I noticed a couple of times Hope mentioned having to abandon a “touch-chick exterior” or a “warrior writer” persona in favor of something more honest. Interesting that her writing really started to flow when she tapped into a place of vulnerability versus strength. Personal essays don’t come easy for me, so this was very enlightening.

By: Susan Johnston

Susan Johnston — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:08:10 +0000

Great interview! I could relate, because I’ve written a number of essays about losing my dad and I love, love, loved Fatherless Daughters. I’ve found that it’s tough to publish essays like that because so many publications want upbeat essays with a happy ending. Well, unfortuantely, life doesn’t always work that way. I’m glad Hope could find a way to channel her loss into something positive!