Ten Stories That Worried My Mother By Winona Kent, Award Winning Local Writer

I am a big fan of Winona Kent's Jason Davey Mysteries (Blue Devil Books) and have written about a couple of them here: Notes on a Missing G String and Ticket to Ride. While the Jason Davey stories are set in England, there's a rumor that Winona will be bringing him to Canada, soon. Fittingly, it seems, because aren't we and/or our families mostly from somewhere else? And, family histories and family stories are very important to Winona as is apparent in her newest publication, "Ten Stories That Worried My Mother", to be released August 22nd, the day she reads to us from it, at a literary event with other notables from Crime Writers Canada: Karen Dodd, Ken MacQueen, Yvonne Maximchuk and David Rabinovitch, at 6:30 at Vancouver Public Library.

So why would her mother be worried about what Winona writes? I met with her recently to ask for more about this.

1) Why was your Mother worried?

Originally, the book was only going to include 5 stories, but then, increased to 10, well, who knew if Mother, or other family members would be in one, or if the neighbours would be described in recognizable detail, or if her daughter would be sued by some unhappy cruise line or employer? And who wants their daughter to be a writer anyway? Mom wanted her brilliant daughter to be a U.N. Translator. 

2) Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Winona wrote throughout her childhood and was her high school newspaper Editor and freelanced for her university paper, too. Short stories, novellas and novels followed. But, she says she will never write a book of poetry. She has written continuously while working at a huge variety of jobs, including on a Radio travel show, where she met her husband, Jim Goddard who champions her work, is a marvellous photographer and is possibly a source for the first story in this collection: TOWER OF POWER. Published in 1982, this one is about the trials and tribulations of Radio DJ's, News Reporters and yes, groupies. I'm not sure that working conditions have changed all that much, all though the 'groupie' role has certainly expanded much beyond Radio and Social Media . It is even more expansive and, of course, includes that array known as 'influencers'. This is a vivid picture of behind the scenes at a radio station, back then, and how the news might be of much less importance than the songs. Popularity and listenership can be fleeting. What one tower crashes, another one is created and maybe not for one either the DJ or Reporter even likes.This story won first prize in FLARE MAGAZINE'S Fiction Competition in 1982. Winona gives further context for each story in her "About" for each story. As Winona says, these stories chronicle "...a 40 year literary journey" that begins with this and 9 others stories, plus  two Jason Davey novellas, one "shortlisted for the Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence for the Best Crime Novella in 2021". This is a never ending story as Winona is already hard at work on her next novel.

3) How is writing a short story different than writing a novel? 

The novels are crime fiction and are a like a multileveled house in their scope, while a short story is more like an 800 sq. ft apartment. However, you have much less time and space to make your point and you will have fewer storylines and perhaps less of a challenge to keep the action going. 

4) Role of Women?

Winona's characters are strong, achieving women, real and not stereotyped, and challenges, career and otherwise are there. She likes to show relationships, for example, Jason, her lead Sleuth's mother runs his tour band and his recently introduced daughter is a career photographer. Winona's women are capable and independent. They have a sense of humour and determination. When I read about them, the motto: Ever Onward, comes to mind.

5) What are you looking forward to: 

Meeting David Rabinovitch/Writer/Screenwriter/Director, Aug 22 at the Writers' Event at Vancouver Public Library.

Launching: TEN STORIES THAT WORRIED MY MOTHER

Reading to an audience at my first Author Event at VPL

The after party!

Winona is a delight to interview and she and Jim brought 10 objects of significance for each of the stories and novellas. The photos tell a bit about the fun we had. On the table, were great prompts: English maps, a double decker bus, marmite, fender guitar, radio, and much more. 

Thanks to you, Jim, and Winona! In the forward to TEN STORIES, fellow author, A. J. Devlin, tells us to "Rock On." You will when you read this one and anything else Winona Kent writes. Please add Aug 22, 2023 to your calendar and come out to the Author Event at VPL to meet Winona and other writers as they read to you from their latest.

Also by Winona Kent:

The Jason Davey Mysteries

- Ticket to Ride

- Last Time

- Notes on a Missing G-String

- Disturbing the Peace

Other Novels

- Marianne's Memory

- In Loving Memory

- Persistence of Memory

- Cold Play

- The Cilla Rose Affair

- Skywatcher

Winona Kent

My Vancouver Public Library Book Face

Thanks to Jim for the photos below