Take Five: Cathy Yardley and DO ME A FAVOR
By Writer Unboxed | August 11, 2024 |
We are so excited to bring you an interview and sneak peek at the latest release from longtime WU contributor, writing coach, and author Cathy Yardley. The book, DO ME A FAVOR, is out now, and looks like a perfect book for cozying up to those late-summer campfires. Listen to this:
“A beautifully crafted tale about love, laughter, and starting over, Yardley’s Do Me a Favor is the romcom we all need. Perfect for fans of feel-good stories and second chances, this book proves it’s never too late to find love in the most unexpected places—and if you’re really lucky, it comes with a dog named Noodle.” —Jenn McKinlay, New York Times bestselling author of Love at First Book
Ready for a closer look? Here’s Cathy!
Q1: What’s the premise of your new book?
CY: My new book, DO ME A FAVOR, is a romantic comedy about a 46 year old widow who is starting her life over after inheriting a house on a small island in the Puget Sound. She’s trying to revive her career as a cookbook ghostwriter after taking years off to care for her husband, but her latest project — writing “sexy” recipes for a viral video chef known more for his abs than his cuisine, has her blocked. She finds a muse in her 42 year old handyman, who lives on the hobby farm next door with his parents and his grown teenaged twins. Still, letting go of old patterns and accepting help is hard for her… and learning to actually pursue long-abandoned dreams is hard for him. It’s a story about growing as a person, no matter what your age or life circumstance is.
Q2: What would you like people to know about the story itself?
CY: Despite being interwoven with serious elements (especially processing grief) it’s fun, funny, and warm. Also, it has a lot of food references… be prepared to want to grab nibbles to eat while you’re reading!
Q3: What do your characters have to overcome in this story? What challenge do you set before them?
CY: Willa, the main female character, has been in survival mode for a long time, longer than even she realizes, and it’s ground her down. Culturally, being from both Vietnamese, and Eastern European immigrant families, she’s learned not to ask for outside help, and the fact that she hasn’t made “practical” choices (and feels, in her 40s, that she’s “paid” for that) is a big part of what she needs to overcome. She’s also finally processing her husband’s death. Hudson, the male main character, became a parent at 19 and a single parent a few years later due to divorce. He’s had dreams from his youth that he simply abandoned, with what he feels are no regrets since he loves his family so much. Seeing Willa start rebuilding her life starts to awaken dormant desires, wondering if it really isn’t too late to chase down your goals. They’re going to learn to grow stronger individually as a part of growing together.
Q4: What unique challenges did this book pose for you, if any?
CY: The year before I started this book, I’d lost my father to cancer, and my mother had gotten diagnosed with advanced, fast-moving Parkinson’s. My own husband is a Type 1 diabetic, and as we age, the challenges of that disease also start ramping up. And here I was, under contract to write a romantic comedy! This has been one of the hardest books I’ve ever had to write. It has been a crucible, and definitely an example of what Erma Bombeck once wrote: “There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.” Finding the other side of the pain, writing about the absurdity and the laughter and even the joy that you can find in life when things seem bleak, was one of my biggest writing challenges.
Q5: What has been the most rewarding aspect of having written this book?
CY: Finishing it! (Sorry, I’m laughing at myself here.) Truly, I am so proud of this book. Writing about characters who found their strength and their renewal through quiet slices of life made me both a stronger writer, and I believe a stronger person. It’s been one of my most rewarding projects.
Congratulations on your new book, Cathy! Thank you for sharing this wonderful sneak peek.
WU Community, you can learn more about Cathy’s latest novel on her website, or by following her on Facebook or IG, or by following the buy-links below. Read on!
Congratulations, Cathy, on not just writing through extraordinary demands on your time and energy, but writing well. Sometimes I need to be reminded that it’s possible.
Congratulations Cathy, I always get a lot of value from your posts. Thank you, and I hope your book is a great success.
Cathy, I love the premise of your new book – which is why I just bought a copy for my Kindle!
I’m so sorry for the challenges you and yours are encountering, but I suspect that experiencing them will only add more VERY hard-earned heart and soul to your storytelling. Good luck with this book!
Congratulations for persevering, Cathy! Your character-rich story sounds like it has a lot of heart–with a bonus for foodies.
It’s inspiring to see how her characters navigate life’s challenges, rediscovering joy and love later in life. Yardley’s personal experiences give depth to the story, showing that growth and second chances come at any age. Looking forward to reading about Willa’s journey to rebuild her life and Hudson’s rekindled dreams!