Get ready to learn more about the book Out of the Ashes in this discussion with sapphic author Rita Potter.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Rita Potter about Out of the Ashes, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Age Gap category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Out of the Ashes?
As I’ve gotten more comfortable in my writing career, I’ve discovered a few things about myself. First, I love to write action, and second, I love to do research. A book set during the eruption of Mount St. Helens was a perfect match.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Nova “Cano” Kane. Of all my books, Cano is the character I’d most like to have a beer with. She’s got a lot of me in her, but also things that aren’t like me. Hmm, does that mean I want to have a beer with myself? For starters, she rides a motorcycle. Hers is a Triumph, while mine is a Harley. Our two biggest similarities is her playfulness and her bravado that hides a mushy soft heart. Where we differ is Cano tends to be more private and keeps her feelings inside, where I wear my heart on my sleeve.
What was the biggest challenge writing this book?
Getting all of the historical details right. I wanted to write my characters into the story without changing any of the actual events that occurred. Many times my characters were at meetings and places that were real, so I had to weave them into the story without changing the actual events.
What part of Out of the Ashes was the most fun to write?
When Mount St. Helens erupted. While I wrote the action scene, I surrounded myself with pictures of the actual eruption so I could get the feel for it.
How much research did you need to do for Out of the Ashes?
A ton! It’s my favorite thing to do. I have a notebook full of notes from the many books I read and videos I watched about the eruption. The biggest challenge for me was to decide what to put in and what to leave out. The one story I left out because I thought it was stranger than fiction was about the elderly couple who died in the blast. When they found them, they had a purse full of money and a bag full of cocaine. I didn’t think anyone would believe it if I wrote it in.
What is your writing process like?
I’m a pantser with a road map. I am a huge fan of the Save the Cat Beats, which is my road map. I never know exactly what I’m going to write, but I know which beat I am writing so I never get lost. My favorite thing about being a pantser is when my characters do something completely unexpected. That’s when I know that the characters have taken over the story from me.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
I’ve answered this question before, each time with a different answer. This time I’ll answer Lee Winter. I have had the pleasure of working with her on the blurbs for my last few books, and it has been so much fun. I think we have a similar sense of humor, a little warped and playful, so I think there would be a lot of laughter.
Do you have a pet who helps/hinders your typing?
Many of my readers know Chumley our ginger cat. He is our only pet because he would have it no other way. In fact, I had already answered my two questions, but he would be very mad that I had the opportunity to talk about him and I passed. So my answer is Chumley, the worlds best cat, who believes it is helpful when he lays on the keyboard when I’m trying to write.
If you could be mentored by a famous author (living or not), who would it be?
I really, really, really want to write thrillers. It’s my favorite genre to read, but I’ve been hesitant to jump deeply into the genre for fear I don’t know enough. I have listened to all the Masterclasses and PBS Maestro classes from thriller writers, but still I hesitate.
I believe writing a thriller that works takes exceptional skill, even though it is many times considered a lesser genre. So my answer is one of the great thriller writers. Gillian Flynn wrote my all time favorite, Gone Girl, but she hasn’t written much since, so I would probably have to go with Frieda McFadden who has taken the thriller genre by storm. Her books are full of twists and turns that keep the reader turning the page.
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
I do all the time. In fact, I cried today while writing my current work in progress, and it wasn’t the first time. I am writing about September 11th, so I don’t think there needs to be much more of an explanation than that. Of all the books I have written, this is by far the most emotional because it transported me back to that Tuesday in 2001.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
As I mentioned in an earlier question, I love suspense thrillers. I tend to like fast paced books. Literary and overly descriptive stories tend to lose my interest. I want a book that has me turning pages so fast because I can’t wait to find out what happens next.
Do you only read books in one genre or do you genre hop?
I am a genre hopper as a reader and a writer. My mind usually goes at 150mph and gets bored very easily, so I have to jump around.
