DEBUT SPOTLIGHT: ELISSA GROSSELL DICKEY
Today, I’m so pleased to feature fellow Lake Union author Elissa Grossell Dickey, and her debut novel, THE SPEED OF LIGHT, a compelling story about a woman living with multiple sclerosis. I read Elissa’s book shortly after it released this past spring, and I couldn’t help falling in love with her main character, Simone. The way Elissa wove the dual timelines together with suspenseful cliffhangers and swoon-worthy romantic moments kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read!
The full synopsis:
Simone is trying her best not to think of what she’s lost. Diagnosed with MS, she awaits the results of another anxiety-inducing MRI. She’s just walked away from Connor, “a fixer” but possibly the love of her life. And nearing the holidays, the sights and sounds of winter in South Dakota only prick memories of better years gone by. Then, on a December morning at the university where she works, jarring gunshots pierce the halls. In a temporary safe place and terrified, Simone listens and pretends this will all be over soon.
As she waits for silence, her mind racing, Simone’s past year comes into focus. Falling in love and missing it. Finding strength in family and enduring friendships. Planning for the future, fearing it, and hoping against hope in dark places. Her life has been changing at the speed of light, and each crossroad brought Simone here, to this day, to endure the things she can’t control and to confront those that she can.
“Thrilling as it is heart-felt, The Speed of Light drew me in from the first page. While its newly-diagnosed heroine struggles with life’s unexpected twists, Dickey delivers a story about family, friendship, and the kind of love that truly makes us feel seen.” ―Elle Marr, bestselling author of The Missing Sister
Since I first read THE SPEED OF LIGHT, I’ve gotten to know Elissa as both a publishing sibling and friend, and she’s just as lovely and warm as her characters. I’m excited for you to get to know her as well, so here’s our chat:
Paulette: Hi Elissa! You’ve shared that many of your personal experiences went into this novel. Can you tell us a little bit more about what inspired you to write The Speed of Light?
Elissa: The Speed of Light follows a tumultuous year in the life of a woman grappling with a multiple sclerosis diagnosis, a new love, and a terrifying workplace incident. The book was very much inspired by my own experience living with MS. Writing this story and my main character’s journey coming to terms with her diagnosis was very therapeutic for me; in a way, I wrote the story I needed when I was first diagnosed.
Paulette: Your honesty really came through with Simone’s characterization—she feels like a real person. She’s a very relatable character. I often felt like reading her story was like talking to one of my closest friends. The way that you tied the romance with the elements of suspense made for a propulsive read. I loved how The Speed of Light merges genres so effortlessly.
Your next book, Iris in the Dark, about an overprotective single mother who overhears a mysterious cry for help over a two-way radio, is coming from Lake Union next spring. It sounds thrilling and suspenseful, and I can’t wait to read it. Two books releasing a year apart is quite an accomplishment! Can you share a little bit about your writing process and how you create space and time for writing?
Elissa: When it comes to getting words on the page, I’m a firm believer in doing what works for you! I’m not able to write every day because of my day job, parenting/family life, and chronic illness fatigue. So I try my best to take advantage of the times I am able to get some writing in—whether that’s a half hour in the evening after my youngest goes to bed, or several hours on a Saturday afternoon (thanks to my very supportive husband). Again, you don’t have to write every day to be a writer, so just do what works best for you!
Paulette: I totally agree. I’m often happy if I have just a few moments to scrabble something down in the Notes app on my iPhone! Writing schedules are nice and I try to stick to one, but with the stresses of life, health, and motherhood along with all the other responsibilities we juggle as women, they aren’t always feasible.
Photo by Paulette Kennedy
What is your favorite part of the writing process and why? And do you have a least favorite part?
Elissa: The best part is when you’re in the zone with a story—you really understand the characters, you know where the plot is going, and you’re just so excited to write! That can sometimes be the worst part, though, too—sometimes, you just don’t have the writing time to complete the story as fast as your brain wants you to! In that case, I try to remind myself that plotting in my head counts as writing time, and I jot down some notes in my phone to try to keep momentum going during writing sessions.
Paulette: The phone is a wonderful tool for those moments of inspiration when you can’t get to your computer! And you’re right—there are so many things that are just as important as writing and research, including reading our favorite authors and watching well-written movies and TV shows. It all counts.
I feel like it’s really important to celebrate your milestones and accomplishments as a writer. What have you done to celebrate meeting your goals as an author?
Elissa: Along with my virtual launch event, I had a private launch party at home with my husband and kids (complete with a book cover cake), and two of my besties were even able to attend. It was great!
Paulette: Cake is always a great idea! I have a feeling my debut celebration will look a lot the same. Even though the pandemic has lessened somewhat, I prefer small gatherings with those closest to me.
It’s been a hard year to be a debut author because of everything happening in our world. Apart from launching your book during a global pandemic, what have been the biggest challenges during your debut year?
Elissa: Time and energy! It’s been an amazing, dream-come-true experience, but the weeks surrounding my debut were also pretty exhausting. I’ve tried to take time to rest when I need to.
Paulette: Time off and rest are so important! Debuting can be very stressful. Any advice you have for writers heading into their debut year?
Elissa: As a debut, I think there’s a tendency to seize every single promotional opportunity you can, and there’s nothing wrong with that! But, it can sometimes get overwhelming. (See my answer above about exhaustion!) So just remember that it’s okay to prioritize the events you really want to do, and respectfully decline activities as needed. Your physical and emotional wellbeing comes first!
Paulette: I have learned this the hard way. Boundaries and self-care are so important. The benefits of having a group of fellow debut authors to lean on and vent to can’t be overstated, either, and I’m so grateful we’ve met, Elissa! Thanks again for taking the time for our interview.
Photo by Meghan Kutz
Elissa Grossell Dickey is a former journalist who now works in higher education communications. Though she grew up in Minnesota, Elissa now lives in South Dakota with her husband and children. Her blog posts about living with multiple sclerosis have appeared on the National MS Society online Momentum Magazine Blog. The Speed of Light is her debut novel.
Purchase THE SPEED OF LIGHT on Amazon or request it from your favorite bookseller. You can connect with Elissa via her website and Instagram.