Congratulations to Kerby Kunstler Caudill from Culver City, California for her award-winning story, "Counting," and to all of the other contestants and winners of the WOW! Women on Writing Quarter 4 2024 Essay Contest!
Today, I'm excited to interview Kerby about her award-winning essay.
Interview by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
WOW: Welcome, Kerby! Thank you for being here with me today - I'm sure our WOW! readers are excited as I am to learn more about Kerby and Counting! Readers - if you haven't already, pop over and read Counting and then return here for this fun interview! Don't rush - we will wait! And of course - here's a little more about Kerby:
Kerby's Bio:
Although born in Ashland, Oregon with family roots in New York, Kerby Kunstler Caudill has spent most of her life in Southern California. She earned a BA in Film Studies from the University of California at Irvine and an MA in education from Cal State Long Beach. After 20 years in education, she put pen to paper for more than just grading tests. For several years she workshopped her memoir Oma & Me and YA Novels Elle and You First, with author Francesca Lia Block and is currently in a workshop with author/composer Dale Trumbore.
Her work has been published in The Good Life Review, Months to Years, Lit Angels, MUTHA Magazine, and Dorothy Parker’s Ashes. As an empty nester, she currently works at an afterschool enrichment program called Lighthouse in South Central Los Angeles, copy edits the online magazine Lit Angels and the book Time by Design by Dr. Dawna Ballard, and reads for Hippocampus Magazine. When not petting her dogs, or futzing with her plants, she is chipping away at her third novel, Facing Reality.
Visit her website at www.kerbycaudill.com and connect with her on Instagram @kerbnerd.
Now that everyone has had a chance to read your fabulous submission - let's get down to it, shall we?
Thank you Kerby for submitting - can you tell us what your intended take-away was when you sent this portion of your memoir out into the world? What did you want readers to get from this?
Kerby: Thank you for publishing Counting! The take-away of this abridged chapter (and my entire memoir) is to have compassion and acceptance for those who may not be where you are: whether it be their physical or cognitive ability, mental health, or level of self awareness. People overlooked my sister, or worse, outright bullied her, yet she was the compass that guided my life. I grew up resenting my role as a third parent. I didn't consider what my parents were going through - caring for our family while under emotional and financial duress. Looking back, we were all trying our best to hold on; to sanity, to love, and to each other. We all need more of that.
WOW: Boy does that speak to me and my mama heart right now - thank you for your honesty! As a mom, I'm so busy caring for everyone that I don't always think about how my older children are feeling. I hope they know they have my support, but the support of others is important too. Where do you go for support? Who helps you and how when you feel like you need a shoulder?
Kerby: To be honest, as the perpetual caretaker I rarely accept care from others, but my husband Jeff and daughter Melody support me, gas me up and are rooting for me and my writing career. When I had to quit teaching due to medical concerns, my husband didn’t bat an eyelash and just wanted what was best for me. I am lucky to have an assemblage of friends who are surrogate siblings, many you will see in my memoir! Women in my writer’s groups have also been invaluable, especially Dale Trumbore.
WOW: I can definitely feel the caretaker in your writing - speaking of nurturing and caretaking; what would your current self like to say to a younger a version of yourself?
Kerby: Oh, my sweet, dear younger self, you lonely child. Heed your teachers’ advice and take your writing seriously—SOONER. Get an MFA in writing instead of an MA in education. Have confidence in yourself and your good heart and know that you deserve love, regardless of achievements, accolades, or acts of service.
WOW: Sounds like great advice for young Kerby and all the young writers out there! You have an impressive bio - sounds like you are busy writing - what is your latest/current project?
Kerby: Thank you! I am currently trying to whip up inspiration to finish my fourth book Facing Reality which is a fun romance novel about Naomi, whose daughter convinces her to go on a vacation years after her husband died of Covid. When Naomi gets off the plane, she realizes she was set up to be on a reality dating show. Of course, she falls in love with one of the producers who then ruins her reputation in the edit—but true love prevails against all odds.
WOW: That sounds like a fun read and who doesn't want a break from reality for a nice vacation? One last question before we part ways (for now, not forever as I like to say): what advice do you have for other caretakers and/or writers when it comes to stress, turbulent times, etc... you mentioned covid which let's talk about stress right? Give us your tips!
Kerby: Since October 7, 2023, life has changed for me and many of my fellow Jews on a molecular level. The upcoming election doesn’t help my emotional state as our democracy and women’s rights hang in the balance. I’d love to say I exercise, eat healthy, meditate and find peace within. What I actually do is: my own version of prayer, take breaks from reading the news, visit friends, spend time with family, eat chocolate covered raisons or Oreos by the handful, cuddle with my dogs, play all the NYT word games and a hell of a lot of Candy Crush.
Thank you so much for this interview! Again, I am honored to be a part of this publication and group of women writers.
WOW: Thank YOU Kerby - I certainly enjoyed our chat and hope to help you once your novel is complete - I have a feeling we will be working together again soon!
Hugs!
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Interviewed by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto who just keeps on keeping on and can be found blogging and sharing on social media hashtag #raisingkidsandcattle #shelovesgodandsheridesgoodhorses #thankfulgratefulblessed
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