Lenore Gay Interview – Capgras, Shelter of Leaves, and Advice for Writers

How did the author go about choosing the names for her characters? If the author could have dinner with one or more of the characters from this book, which of them would it be? What would they talk about? What advice does Lenore Gay have for authors who aren’t yet published?

How would you explain Capgras? Have you ever known anyone with this condition?

Capgras was first discussed in medical literature by a French doctor Joseph Capgras (1873-1950.) He has a psychiatric theory of the origin which was later updated by brain research. Capgras is the result of a closed-head injury. The visual cortex relays information through two routes. One route is the temporal lobe, which is linked to facial recognition, and one to the limbic system, which registers emotional reaction.

With Capgras Misidentification Syndrome, the route from the visual cortex to the limbic system is damaged, but the lobe is unharmed. The person looks like “mother,” “wife,” or “husband,” but the patient has no emotional response – hence the patient believes he/she is seeing an imposter.

No, I have never known anyone with this condition. I read about it in a book and thought it would be interesting to write about a family that has to deal with this injury. 

How much, if any, research did you have to do?

Yes, I researched the information online. When I had enough information to build a character and plot, I began to write the story.

Was there a particular event that made you want to write a story based around this syndrome? If so, what?

There was no particular event that made me write a story. It comes from my background as a therapist, my work for many years. As an LPC, Licensed Professional Counselor, I worked in various settings, psych hospitals, treatment centers and the last ten years of my career I maintained a private practice. 

How did you go about choosing the names for your characters?

I researched names for the characters by reading a name book of the classic names from literature. First, I decided the size of the family and their ages, then began the names research.

Which scene was your favorite? Which scene was the most difficult for you to write?

I enjoyed writing lots of scenes. Terpe’s scenes with her imaginary adventures were fun to write. The most difficult scene wasn’t hard to write, but the decision to write it was difficult.

Have you written any other books? If so, what are they? Are you currently working on another book?

Yes, I wrote a book called Shelter of Leaves, published in 2016. The opening scene has our main character in a panic when bombs were falling in her city and one hit part of her apartment building. She grabbed a few possessions, bolted and began a long journey through a chaotic world. She hurried away from her city, going west and south. After days of walking in the rural countryside she met other refugees.

When did you first have a desire to write? How did this desire manifest itself?

I was an early reader. My mother taught me to write my name so I could get a library card. I read a lot and often when we rode through city streets, I’d make up stories about someone standing at a bus stop or sitting in a car at a traffic light. I wrote one or two stories that I tore up at about middle school. I wrote poetry through high school and college.

I have my first novel in a file. I went on to write a second novel, also not ready for prime time. I love the books, but both need major edits since I’ve learned more about writing. One day I’ll go back and revise my early work.

Do you have a set time to write? Or do you wait to be inspired?

Most days I write all morning, and into the afternoon. I don’t wait for inspiration; it comes while I write. Inspiration also comes when I’m thinking about writing a new book, or a scene that comes next.

Do you ever become bored with what you are writing? If so, how do you get past that point?

If I feel bored, I delete what I’m writing and rewrite until I’m satisfied. Or I mark the boring place and keep going. Later, I’ll go back to the boring parts and do what needs doing.

What kind of books do you like to read?

Over the years, I’ve read different genres. My library reflects that. In my study are nonfiction, including dictionaries, nonfiction books including memoirs, good books on craft and one bookcase full of poetry books. In the living room there’s a wall of bookcases, all fiction is shelved alphabetically. Recently I added a second bookcase.

How do you manage to balance your time between work, family, friends, and writing?

I’ve retired from my first career and write full time now. I rarely plan to meet friends in the morning during the week but will meet on weekends. My writing is a priority, even if I only have time to write for two or three hours

If you could spend just one hour with one person, dead or alive, whom would you choose? Why?

I would spend the hour with my brother who died about ten years ago. My only sibling, we stayed close during adulthood. He had a wry sense of humor and was fun to be with. When I visited him in the country, we’d drink coffee and talk until lunch, talking while we ate lunch, then took a walk, talking through the afternoon. His house had many paintings on the walls, similar to my own house. My brother had many skills, he traveled to many countries, built computers, painted, wrote a book and taught himself to play piano when he was older.

If you could have dinner with one or more of the characters from your book, which of them would it be? What would you talk about?

I’d talk with Terpe because of her interesting imaginary friends and ask her about her adventures that I hadn’t watched and recorded in the book. I’d talk with Adam and ask him why wooly mammoths were so intriguing. I’d say Adam’s early fascination with the mammoths was part of the good times he had with his father, including the important day he saw a statue of a mammoth in a museum. Later the connection with his father was lost and Adam mourned.

Do you have any advice for writers who haven’t yet been published?

 I wrote two books before I even considered writing another book that might be good enough to publish. Sometimes I read about new writers wanting to jump into publishing before their work is ready. Publishing takes patience and discernment that the book is worth publishing.

Writing is solitary, but writing friendships are important. Early on, I joined a local organization that supported writers with regular events and a conference once a year. Published writers and teachers presented workshops on various aspects of writing, including marketing. Conference attendees could sign up for a short meeting with an agent to discuss their book. Sometimes the agent meeting was a rehearsal and sometimes the writer thought their work was ready for publication.

Some conferences offer opportunities to sign up to join a writing group which can be helpful. A group is one way to find more writing friends. It’s also a way to receive feedback on your work. I was a member of a writing group for ten years. My advice is to make sure your work is ready to publish and other writers agree with you.

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