Many writers recognize November as NaNoWriMo: aka, National Novel Writing Month. I’ve never participated in such a monstrosity because the idea that I could produce 50,000 words in a month is laughable, but! I’m in charge of my very own self and I don’t have to follow the rules. (Hi, I’m an Enneagram 4). So I’ve dubbed November ClaNoWriMo: Claire’s Novel Writing Month. I finally wrapped up a first draft of the historical perspective of a historical middle grade I’m working on, and now I really need to tackle the contemporary perspective. It’s about 25,000 words that I’d love to crank out before the end of the month. I might hate a rule but I love a goal so I’m excited to have a bit of motivation. As the frost starts to drench my lawn and the mittens go on sale at Costco, you’ll be able to find me curled up in front of our fireplace, gingerbread coffee from Trader Joe’s piping hot next to me while I type furiously on my shiny new laptop. I might be in small town Wisconsin (we just incorporated, guys! We’re officially a town now!) but my mind is off in Paris, where my main character has just been forced to move by her artist mom.
Traditional publishing is always a mind game because if you’re actually making a living at it, you’re probably doing a thousand things at once. I’m currently drafting one book (my historical fiction middle grade, out in 2025), editing another (my summer camp middle grade, out late 2024), and promoting a third (The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County, out in March.) But I’ve always been a person who gets bored easily, so it kind of keeps me on my toes to hop around from project to project. Cal Newport and his deep work purists are cringing but, like I said—Enneagram 4. Don’t tell me what to do, Cal!
After a month of travel and Halloween parties and chaos, I’m happy to be back to a kinda-sorta writing routine, and all the writer-moms know that kinda-sorta routines are the best we’re going to get. Just living La Vida Multitasker over here.
Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County: Casting Call
I’m an extremely visual writer—I often “see” my books playing out like movies in my head. Funeral Ladies was no exception; in fact, this may have been the clearest book I’ve ever written. I honestly miss the process of writing this book a lot because it felt so ridiculously simple. I knew who was doing what and where they were going and what they wanted; I didn’t have to work that hard to unearth much of anything, because it was all visible to me.
I don’t base my characters off pictures or real people per se, but they’re definitely visually inspired by a cast of characters. So without further ado, want to meet some of the residents of Ellerie?!
Iris Kelleher. Freelance graphic designer who texts her sister approximately 19 times a day. Wins the Best Daughter Award and actually knows how to properly fold towels. Drinks a Jack and Ginger.
Olivia Kelleher. Lawyer who will kick your ass in court but is unable to properly work a mop. Is ready to be done being pregnant now, please. Drinks whatever you’re having.
Esther Larson and Katharine Rose McMahon. A sugar-and-spice duo who can whip up enough food for 150 people with 2 hours notice. What they lack in social graces they make up for in rosaries. Drinks Brandy old-fashioneds (or whatever Bea’s whipping up in the blender).
Cooper Welsh. Glorified pancake flipper in a diner floating along on Famous Chef Dad’s name. Enjoys reading, music festivals, and Iris’ face. Drinks Busch light; don’t judge him for it.
Ivan Welsh. James Beard award-winning chef. Doesn’t have a Michelin star but honestly, screw a Michelin star. Host of Ivan Eats on the Food Network; author of Confessions of a Cook and Dinner’s at 8: More Confessions of a Cook. Owns a restaurant whose name is the greatest Easter egg I laid in the book. Is incredibly talented and incredibly absent. Drinks fancy wine that you swirl around in your glass.
Cricket Welsh. Unluckiest thirteen year old in the world, since Dead Mom Plus Absent Father Equals Adopted by Moody Half-Brother. Knows the librarian by name. Drinks coffee, and no, she’s not too young for it.
I hope this got you even a teensy bit excited for the book. Don’t forget to preorder! The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County will be released on 3/12/24, and readers on Goodreads are already saying:
“This emotional, riveting, small-town story was one of the best books I’ve read this year! The writing was evocative and poetic, and the story itself was a beautifully woven tapestry.”
“This book has it all: wonderful complex, multi-generational characters, a beautiful and unique cultural setting, and a love story.”
“These characters feel like family before you are done with the story.”
Lastly, a book I’ve loved lately for…
Kids: Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story by Pat Zietlow Miller and Jill McElmurry is a sweet read aloud for this time of year. The beautiful illustrations kick it up a notch, too.
Middle graders: I love a sporty middle grade so I’ve been really enjoying Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up by Jenn Bishop! It’s heavy on the basketball but also on the friendship dynamics and chaos of middle school. Books about the meaning of friendship for this age will always be my favorite.
Adults: I recently traveled to Poland and made a new saint-friend, so I’ve really been enjoying A Man for Others: Maximilian Kolbe in the Words of Those Who Knew Him by Patricia Treece.
Thanks for reading along!
-Claire-
The picture of the old ladies with their PBR tallboys...I’m dying! As a much younger funeral lady in my extremely tiny rural parish of Polish heritage who has enjoyed a shot or three of Polish Brandy (or Busch Light, don’t judge) after serving a funeral dinner, I look forward to reading this book and meeting these characters.
Was lucky to get a copy off NetGalley and I love it so far! I was *cackling* at the Lutherans v. Catholics humor in the first chapter.