Interview with Christy Scott Cashman, Author of What Happened in Beulah

What's the story behind the story?

I was so affected by growing up in the Smoky Mountains in the '80s that I wanted that to be the world. Shortly after we moved there, a girl had been murdered, and it was always the question of what really happened to her that lingered on, even till now.

What inspired you to write this book?

The main theme of the book is about belonging, and the sense of belonging has always intrigued me. I've wondered why I strive to belong, and sometimes I wonder what it is I'm trying to belong to—and the bigger question is why?

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?

Barrett — “Angel from Montgomery”
Mama — “I Dreamed a Dream”
Lacy — “Reasons to Be Beautiful”
Cassie — “Girls Just Want to Have Fun”
Dad — “Amazing Grace”

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love magical realism, YA, and general fiction. It's the same as what I write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

A Court of Thorns and Roses
Brain Energy
The Bible
Calamity Club
Into the Blue

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When Barrett finally makes it into the cool group and the girls are there, and they're getting ready to go into the woods to see the figurine.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (Lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Light a candle. I try to write about anything that is NOT in my manuscript—I purge. It's my version of morning pages. The Draino method.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Sit loosely in the saddle of life.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

What is it that we really want to belong to when we sit and think about it? And why? What are we striving to belong to, and why? And when we get there, do we actually really want to be there?