Harriet Hates Lemonade Book Tour

Do you love stories with a subtle twist? Just when you thought you were clear about the storyline, the story somehow presents you with a different viewpoint …. well “Harriet Hates Lemonade” by Kim McCollum is that book. It made me smile and yet there were times of sadness; it made me think and encourage Harriet’s actions. And as for hating lemonade…. before I introduce the lovely Kim to you all, here’s a quick book summary…

BOOK SUMMARY

Harriet has life all figured out, and she doesn’t hesitate to inform others of their shortcomings. Though her attempts to become president of the homeowner’s association failed, that doesn’t stop her from berating “off-leash-dog-man” or reporting the neighbor who had the audacity to leave their Easter decorations up an entire week past the holiday. The problem is, unbeknownst to her, Harriet’s rigid rules an judgmental opinions are not her own.

Her ordered life plunges into chaos when a twelve-year-old neighbor knocks on Harriet’s door seeking help because the girl’s father is physically abusing her mother. Reluctantly, Harriet comes to her neighbor’s aid and, in the process, recognizes her own insidious abuse which has unwittingly shaped her isolated, rigid existence. To escape her crushing loneliness, she must learn to break free from the patterns of control and isolation that have defined her life and learn to connect with people she previously viewed as heathens.

THE INTERVIEW

Hi Kim 👋 Welcome to the blog… please tell us a little bit about yourself…

I’m Kim McCollum, an author living in the beautiful, rugged landscape of Bozeman, Montana. My author brand centers on “strong and quirky Montana women,” and I love exploring the grit and resilience that this landscape brings out in people.When I’m not at my desk writing, I love spending time with my family and our three pets – two dogs and a cat. I’m also an avid traveler and a fan of staying active, usually on the pickleball court or the golf course.

Who or what inspired you to write “Harriet Hates Lemonade”?

The inspiration was two-fold. Personally, it was my way of processing a very difficult chapter of my own life. I was the victim of mostly emotional abuse. I wanted to show how quiet and insidious that kind of control can be.

On a lighter note, Harriet’s neighborhood wars were inspired by a place I once lived in that looked like Mayberry but was surprisingly uptight. Between neighbors complaining about children taking shortcuts and actual suggestions to the HOA for dog-poop DNA testing, I knew I had the perfect setting for a woman like Harriet, who uses rules as a fortress to keep the world away.

What character did you particularly enjoy writing about? What character was the hardest to portray?

I absolutely loved writing Harriet. There is something so liberating about a protagonist who is unapologetically difficult and honest. Finding the humor in her rigidity, like her crusades against “off-leash man,” was a joy.

The hardest character to portray was definitely Les, Harriet’s late husband. It was incredibly difficult to have to revisit that painful part of my life, but as hard as it was emotionally, writing his dialogue was the easy part. Whenever I needed to know what Les would say, I thought of what my ex said to me. Believe it or not, a recent reviewer on Goodreads said they couldn’t finish the book because Les was too terrible, but the heartbreaking truth is that he was my reality for nearly twenty years. I had to capture the way Les (and my ex) used what appeared to be love and concern to systematically dismantle Harriet’s confidence. As emotionally draining as this was, it was necessary to tell the truth about how that kind of manipulation works.

Researching for your novel must have been quite interesting…did you discover anything that shocked you or uncover some nugget of information that was unexpected?

Unfortunately, I didn’t have to do any research about emotional abuse for this novel. It was simply my life. I didn’t need to look for nuggets of information because I had lived the reality of emotional abuse for two decades. The truly difficult part was recognizing the abuse and then finally speaking that truth out loud.

I worked with our local abuse shelter on a program called “End the Silence.” We had to get up on a stage in front of hundreds of people and tell our stories. That was hard. It was a terrifying, vulnerable experience, but it was also the catalyst that gave me the strength to write this book. It taught me that while the silence is where the abuse thrives, the telling is where the healing begins.

Hypothetically speaking, if Harriet Hates Lemonade was made into a film, who would you like to see playing the characters especially Harriet, Audrey, and “off the leash man”; and why?

For Harriet, I would love to see someone like Frances McDormand or Olivia Colman. They both have this incredible ability to be prickly and formidable on the outside while letting the audience see the deep vulnerability underneath.

For Audrey, I’d look for a young actress with a lot of raw energy. Maybe someone like Brooklynn Prince. And for “off-leash=dog-man” (Kevin), I’d want someone charming but persistent, maybe a Paul Rudd type, who can handle Harriet’s grumpiness with a smile.

Growing up, did you envisage yourself as a writer or did you have other career aspirations?

I always loved stories, but for a long time, I prioritized more practical endeavors. After my initial career on Wall Street, I spent many years staying home to raise my five children. It was a busy, rewarding life, but once they all finally headed off to school, I realized I wanted to do something just for me. Writing was that thing I had carried in my heart for as long as I could remember, but I never quite had the time or confidence to pursue it. To finally be doing it now, and to see my work resonating with readers, is an absolute thrill.

Is “Harriet Hates Lemonade” available to purchase worldwide?

Yes! Thanks to my publisher, Black Rose Writing, it’s available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and everywhere books are sold. If they don’t have it in stock, they can order it.

If you could visit any place in the world to inspire your next novel, where would you go and why?

Actually, all of my novels will be set in Montana because it is quite simply my favorite place in the world. I’ve lived in seven different states and studied abroad in Japan and Germany, so I feel very qualified to say that Montana is the absolute best. Currently, I am immersed in studying Montana’s gold rush for my next novel. I recently visited the ghost town of Bannack for research, which was a fascinating journey into the state’s gritty and resilient past. Seeing those preserved buildings in the silence of the mountains really brings that era to life.

The ruggedness of this landscape is exactly what inspires the strong characters I love to write. However, I believe that experiencing other cultures is vital to character developmentbecause the more we understand how people behave across the globe, the deeper we can go into the human psyche. While I’ve spent time in Japan and would love to go back, I’m also dying to go on a safari in Africa, stay in a hut over the water in Fiji, and eat amazing food from the noodle boats in Thailand. Those experiences help me build more complex, nuanced characters, even if my stories are set in Montana.

Are you a bookworm yourself? If so, what genres (or authors) do you usually like to read? And are you a kindle or “proper book” fan?

I am a huge bookworm! I love character-driven fiction from authors like Elizabeth Strout, Fredrik Backman, and Kristin Hannah. As for the format, I am a “proper book” fan through and through. I love the smell of the paper and the weight of the book in my hands. I do use a Kindle for travel or beta reading for other authors, but my home is overflowing with physical copies.

Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?

I’m a Montana girl at heart! You’ll usually find me in a pair of well-worn jeans, a comfortable top, and a fluffy jacket (or shacket).

Do you have any favourite shops or online sites?

I’m honestly not much of a shopper, so I tend to rely on sites like Stitch Fix where they just curate and send me things they think I’ll like. It saves me so much time! That said, when I do want to visit a physical shop, I love our local Montana stores. Heyday in Bozeman is a favorite for finding unique gifts and home goods, and if I’m looking for clothes locally, I’m a fan of the style at Jonah and Sage.

What’s next on your clothes/shoe wish list?

Right now, I’m looking for a great pair of furry boots that I can slip on easily. In Montana, especially when you’re dealing with snow and cold, something cozy and convenient is a must-have!

Boots or Shoes?

Boots, but they have to be the kind I can slip on in two seconds. I’m usually running late, so I don’t have time to mess with laces or complicated buckles. I need to be able to jump in them and go! Living in Montana, you need footwear that can handle snowand mud at a moment’s notice.

Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc

I’d love to connect with readers! You can find me at:

• Website: https://kim-mccollum.com/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimmccollumauthor

• Instagram: @author.kimmccollum

IBOOK TOUR DETAILS