Our interview this morning is with author Arthur Wooten the creator of Birthday Pie. Arthur has written 5 books along with being a playwright and humorist for the London based magazine, reFRESH. Here is a quick book description of Birthday Pie before we get to the interview: When Lex Martindale, a New York City writer, goes home to celebrate his birthday and say goodbye to his dying father, he struggles with whether or not to share with his eccentric Southern family news of his own life-threatening situation. As we travel through seventy years of the Martindales’ rich and colorful history, unearthing forbidden loves, shattered hopes and tenacious dreams, we realize that this reunion is a volatile turning point in all of their lives. But as anger, resentments and jealousies erupt to the surface, it’s their laughter and irreverent sense of humor that prevails allowing for a quiet healing in this bittersweet, moving portrait of the all-American family.Interview with Arthur Wooten:
What inspired you to write your novel Birthday Pie?
My dad died of cancer back in the early 90’s and of course it was a stressful, frightening and difficult passage to process. But what also appeared was humor. Humorous situations and behavior of family members. Laughter comes in as a coping mechanism. Birthday Pie is a very tragic story and critics are acknowledging that, but they also are quick to say how funny it is. Reminds me of the old saying…“If you don’t laugh, you’re gonna cry.”
How do you feel about its success?
Birthday Pie is far succeeding all of my expectations both critically and financially. I’m very proud of the work. And it’s giving me the drive and inspiration to continue on with more work.
The subject of the dysfunctional family is a recurring theme in modern media today. How do you approach such an enduring phenomena with a fresh eye?
Writing about dysfunctional families has been around since the beginning of time. Look at ancient Greek theatre or even Shakespeare. The three ingredients that I think are imperative when an author is discovering new storylines surrounding the concept of dysfunctional-ism is truth, honesty and sincerity. All three are similar but very different. Actually, that’s a must with whatever genre you’re dealing with. Readers demand it. And I always strive to bring humor, heart and humanity to everything I write. Hey, it’s the 3-H Club!
What message do you hope readers take away from the book?
Hope. And unconditional love. I think you can see with all my novels, they don’t end up all resolved and tied up with pretty little bows. Life isn’t like that. But with Birthday Pie, as heartbreaking as the ending is, the reader leaves the Martindales with a sense of they’re going to pull it together and be OK. There’s a quiet healing. It also leaves rooms for a sequel. *grinning*
And what advice or wisdom can you pass along at this point in your life?
I’ve said it before, regarding success with writing, but I find it’s true in life too. Be careful of the dominant thoughts you have running through your brain because they will tend to manifest. The law of the universe doesn’t care if they are positive or negative. So choose wisely. Also, if there’s something you want in life, keep your eyes open. Listen carefully. You have to learn to be lucky. An opportunity may be right in front of you and if you’re not aware of it, it will escape you. It could be seizing the right moment, noticing a great connection, thinking outside of the box. And in order to be struck by lighting (in a good way) you have to stand out in the rain. But you have to be willing to stand out in the rain longer than anyone else. I’ve been poured on. But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Thank you Arthur for an insightful interview.
Visit is website: http://www.arthurwooten.com/
Follow Arthur on Twitter @ArthurWooten
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