Old Broad Road and On The Rock – Inside Scoop

The novels Old Broad Road and On The Rock are written in First Person Point of View. This might account for why some readers associate the protagonist Sylvia Kramer with me, being the author, and her life with mine. But this series is fiction and not based on any drama or characters in my own personal world.

Here are my answers to some of the most frequently asked questions: 

Q: Why was it important for your main character to share your love of cooking?

(throat clearing) I love eating, but cooking…not so much. It’s true that in both Old Broad Road and On The Rock, Sylvia Kramer effortlessly throws together spectacularly delicious meals. One reviewer even warned people not to read these books on an empty stomach. I love it! If you were salivating reading about the meals, imagine how it felt doing the research. Of course, I’d sampled many of the Newfoundland and Labrador delicacies during my vacation there.

Q: How long did you live in Newfoundland?

I’ve never lived in Newfoundland. It was through my several pleasurable vacations in the province that I was inspired to write Old Broad Road and subsequently On The Rock. As a sidenote, I'd never visited Chapel's Cove, NL, which is the setting of these books, until after I'd written them. I'll always remember how I felt standing on Sylvia's beach for the first time. It was a profound and magical moment.

Q: Do you have tattoos?

Seriously? Well, the answer is no. One reader insisted I must have had the experience to write about it so convincingly. All I can say is Thank You Very Much! Again, the research paid off. Not just online research but talking to people about their experiences is also a valuable research tool.

Q: Are any of the characters made up of people you know?

There is not one specific character from either book that was created from the mould of an acquaintance or friend. To be honest, I even took a moment just now to sit back with my hands folded behind my head. Thinking. Analyzing each character in my mind. A diverse cast of characters that includes a tattooed Russian wrestler. Who would have thought? Effie popped out. Her demure features and contrasting salty tongue remind me of someone I met years ago. But it’s hard for me to remember how these characters originally took shape in my mind. I’ve lived with them for so long that they’ve become real to me. They’re no longer bits and pieces of traits and features that I’ve fabricated into characters. They’re tangible people. To me, that is. And, apparently, some of my readers feel the same way.

Q: How does your son feel about the books?

First of all, I’m not sure if my son has read the books. Secondly, I must again remind the reader that though the main character has a son and a daughter, they were not based on my family members. And you can note that I don't have a daughter. This is fiction. Sylvia has a tenuous relationship with her family – both her ex and her son and daughter. Come to think of it, she and her best friend also have issues. It’s all about conflict. This conflict contributes to the tension and suspense of the story.

The hinted at but unasked question

No, I’ve never been a victim of violence. That was the most emotionally difficult part of Old Broad Road for me to write. Not because it was hard for me to imagine, but because it wasn’t hard for me to imagine…