Camille Di Maio

Camille Di Maio is the bestselling author of Until We Meet, The First Emma, The Beautiful Strangers, The Way of Beauty, Before the Rain Falls, and The Memory of Us. In addition to writing women’s fiction, Di Maio buys too many baked goods at farmers markets, unashamedly belts out Broadway tunes when the mood strikes, and regularly faces her fear of flying to indulge in her passion for travel. She and her husband have worked in real estate for twenty-five years in both Texas and Virginia. There’s almost nothing she wouldn’t try, so long as it doesn’t involve heights, roller skates, or anything illegal.

Di Maio's new novel is Come Fly With Me.

My Q&A with the author:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

Come Fly With Me is one of the rare books where I had the title before starting the book. And it ended up being ideal because it evokes several things that are a part of the story. The title, inspired by the famed Frank Sinatra song, sets us in that jet-set era. And the notion of flying not only touches on the travel themes of the book, but also the interior journey of the two main characters: each are escaping something in their lives and flying off to new opportunities with Pan American Airlines.

What's in a name?

When I chose names for my characters in historical fiction, I start by figuring out about what year they would have been born, and then I do a search for names that were popular in that era. I scroll until several "speak" to me and I think about them for awhile until something emerges in feeling right. In the case of Judy and Beverly, something about those evoked particular images to me that did reflect the characters. "Judy" felt like a traditional housewife to me and "Beverly" sounded like someone glamorous who would live on Park Avenue.

How surprised would your teenage reader self be by your new novel?

I think my teenage self would be ecstatic that I wrote a novel, let alone eight of them! My dream ever since I was twelve was to do so. I don't think she would be surprised by the subject matter - I have long had an interest in crooner music and nostalgic times. So that's very fitting for me.

Do you find it harder to write beginnings or endings? Which do you change more?

I don't find either particular hard - it is that saggy middle that is always the challenge! Being able to sustain interest, subplots, action, pacing, etc. for arguably the longest part of the book is something every author works hard to achieve.

Do you see much of yourself in your characters? Do they have any connection to your personality, or are they a world apart?

My main characters often have an arc of beginning from a place of innocence, having something difficult thrust upon them, and then maturing as they step up to face the challenge. I do relate to this. My nickname in my family is "Pollyanna" because I often look at the world with rose-colored glasses. But I do quickly develop the savvy skills I need to work through the reality of what comes. And am better for it in the end.

What non-literary inspirations have influenced your writing?

Travel influences my writing more than anything else. I am often inspired by a location or a historical event that I learn about when I'm on the road. If an idea intrigues me and sticks around in my head for a few years, continuing to fascinate, then I begin to think that there might be a story worth telling.

Visit Camille Di Maio's website.

--Marshal Zeringue