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Lisa’s book, RUSH, was a Daily Double question on Jeopardy.
“That was really fun for me to write a character who could stand up for what’s right.” Author Lisa Patton talks to host J.T. Ellison about Rush on Nashville Public Television’s, A Word on Words.
Author 2 Author Interview: Fannie Flagg & Lisa Patton
Fannie Flagg:
Hello, my precious friend.
LP:
Since this year’s SIBA Discovery Show marks our 8-year friendaversary, I thought it would be fun to tell the SIBA community about the day we met. I’m betting a few booksellers, like Karen and Jackie from FoxTale, remember that eventful day in Daytona. The only thing higher than the 95-degree temperature was my hair. It looked like a seagull had used it for a roost. What was it like to have a neurotic fan stand in line for over an hour to meet you then see her burst out in ugly tears two minutes prior? Was that a first? Or does it happen all the time? Just so you know, I would have done the same thing to Paul McCartney.
FF:
I don’t know how Paul McCartney would have reacted but I was flattered. I thought your hysteria was very endearing, sweetheart. Besides I had already read your hilarious first book, Whistlin’ Dixie in a Nor’easter
and I was excited to meet you, too.
LP:
I’ll take endearing over neurotic any day! I do tend to cry more often than I should and at the wrong time. But for goodness sakes, I had watched your funny self a million times on Candid Camera, Match Game, and Hollywood Squares. Once I started writing, and read Fried Green Tomatoes
and Can’t Wait to Get To Heaven, I morphed into a super fan. I don’t think a funnier scene has ever been written than when middle-aged Evelyn, aka Towanda, greets Ed at the door wearing only a cellophane dress. I laughed so hard I had an accident. When Ed says, “What are you doing, Evelyn, I could have been the postman!” I lost it. Threw the book across the room and gasped for air. I’ve never read anything funnier in my life. You are gifted!
FF:
Why thank you, sweetheart. I try my best to make people laugh, but then, like you, I think sometimes life can be pretty funny.
LP:
When did you know you had the funny gene?
FF:
I think it started in the fifth grade. You have a funny gene yourself! Where did yours come from?
LP:
I inherited mine from my parents. And grew up with a gaggle of girlfriends who valued laughter over homework. We watched I Love Lucy
reruns every day of our childhood. Have you ever thought about the fact that the other two all time great lady comedians are redheads, too—Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett? Did you ever meet Lucy? How about Carol?
FF:
I did meet Lucille Ball once and it was a thrill. Believe it or not Carol Burnett lives right up the street from me and she is one of the nicest people you could ever want to meet. You did your best to meet Lucy yourself, isn’t that right? Can you share the details of that day with our SIBA friends?
LP:
Do I have to?
FF:
No, but I think folks will get a big kick out of it. Especially Jake Reiss.
LP:
Okay, but only a snippet. When I was in college at the University of Alabama my best friend LeeLee and I took a spring break trip out to Hollywood to walk in Lucy and Ethel’s footsteps. When we took the Grayline Bus Tour and learned it was actually Lucy’s wall that was used in the Richard Widmark episode—when Lucy climbs over his wall for a grapefruit—LeeLee and I looked at each other and said, “Why not!” We snuck back that night, hoisted ourselves over Lucy’s wall, and, well, we never got our grapefruit. But we did meet Desi junior! I think it’s probably best to stop there. I wouldn’t want anyone thinking I’d still do something like that…least of all you!
FF:
Baby, I’m just glad you didn’t get arrested for trespassing and end up in the Hollywood jail.
LP:
You and me both. My daddy would have yanked me out of school! But back to you. Aside from TV, you’ve made it on the Silver Screen and on Broadway; you’ve even been nominated for an Academy Award! And
won the Harper Lee Award for Alabama’s Most Distinguished Writer. As someone who dreamed of movie stardom, I am in awe! Is there anything
left on your bucket list?
FF:
No, I just want to encourage and help other Southern writers when I can. As you know at the beginning of my writing career Harper Lee was a tremendous help to me and I like to do the same when I can. But let’s talk about your fantastic new book, RUSH. You’ve written about the most sacred of all southern rituals, sorority rush at Ole Miss. And you did an outstanding job. I’m so proud of you, honey. You captured the hysteria, hilarity and heartbreak of it all—to absolute perfection. How on earth did you know so much about it?
LP:
Hours and hours of talks with sorority girls, young and old, and also house staff employees. As sacred as sorority rush is in the South, it was important to me to get it all right. Several of the people I interviewed read the book before the ARCs were printed and gave me their thumbs up. RUSH is told from the points of view of Cali, a college freshman, Wilda, a sorority mom and alum, and Miss Pearl, the sorority housekeeper. I had numerous phone conversations with a former Ole Miss housekeeper who is now, I’m happy to say, a dear friend. She shared invaluable information and helped me develop the character. Bahni Turpin narrates the voice of Miss Pearl in the audio book and I am over the moon to have her. Bahni is one of my all-time favorites.
FF:
I absolutely love the book. It has a strong message of hope and equality for all. Why was that message important for RUSH?
LP:
As a young collegian, I never considered the needs of the lovely people who worked in our sorority houses. Yet they took care of all of our needs. When I learned that the house employees still struggle today to make ends meet and, in many cases, are not offered employee benefits, it broke my heart. This is true all over the South, and possibly the country. RUSH presents a viable solution for change.
FF:
Do you think of RUSH as a guilty pleasure?
LP:
Only if you compare it to a giant piece of caramel cake! The central theme of the book is equality and justice for all and there’s nothing guilty about reading that. Fannie, I love that I’ve been given the chance to tell those who haven’t had the pleasure of knowing you how very kind and generous you are. When I consider my writing life, your mentorship has been my greatest blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
FF:
You are so welcome, sweetheart. And oh, don’t you forget my words…keep writing!
7.01.18 - Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance
names RUSH a Summer 2018 Okra Pick.
5.25.18
- Deep South Magazine
includes RUSH in their 2018 Best Summer Reading.
5.07.18
- Southern Living Magazine
includes RUSH in Best Beach Reads of 2018.
PAST NEWS
October 14, 2011 , Yankee Doodle Dixie is number 8 on the SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Association) bestseller list!
October 7, 2011 , Yankee Doodle Dixie is number 12 on the SIBA (Southern Independent Booksellers Association) bestseller list!
September 28, 2010 is the release date for the trade paperback of Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter. It has been selected as a Target Breakout Book from Emerging Authors and will go on sale 10/10/10 in all Target Stores. Thank you Target!
The Salt Lake County Library System is pleased to announce that Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter, has been selected as a nominee for the semi-annual Reader's Choice Award.
Be sure to follow Lisa on Goodreads.com