.jpg)
Alli Frank and Asha Youmans are the authors of the new novel Boss Lady. Their other novels include The Better Half. They both live in the Pacific Northwest.
Q: What inspired you to write Boss Lady, and how did you create your character Toni Arroyo?
A: This story was largely inspired by one of our very favorite comedic actors, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. During an appearance on the podcast Shameless, hosted by Will Arnett, Sean Hayes, and Jason Bateman, Julia claimed she would drive an airport passenger cart if she were to choose a career other than show business.
The thought of such a confluence of humanity, and the possibilities that kind of setting would afford us as writers, was an idea we wanted to explore.
There is an entire city of employees behind the throngs of people who pass through airport terminals by the hundreds of thousands every single day, and they surely have the kind of personal bonds, twisted conflicts, sexy scandals, and exciting tension that makes a fabulous story.
Besides our protagonist, Toni, there is another boss lady central to the story: an elderly woman named Sylvia Eisenberg who is Toni’s unofficial mentor and enthusiastic cheerleader.
That Ms. Louis-Dreyfus recently appeared on a talk show and encouraged the viewing audience to embrace the wisdom of elders was another moment of serendipity and seemed, to us, to be an extra thumbs up from her.
The other two boss ladies are Zwena, a young Kenyan woman who challenges Toni to be daring, and Toni’s mother, Gloria, who pushes Toni’s buttons in ways only a mother can.
Q: The writer Priscilla Oliveras called the book a “feel-good tale about the power of perseverance, the beauty of diverse women uplifting each other, and the value of healthy relationships!” What do you think of that description?
A: All our novels include the love between women friends and the acceptance of our main character that their extended community is central to their joy.
As two seasoned ladies we value our women friends for more than the support they give us, the tears they dry for us, the substitute mom duties they do for us, and the patience they offer when we go on about our writing. The best thing about our friendships is the funny lines we steal from our pals and use for our characters!
Our communities include close relationships that are diverse racially, religiously, economically, nationally, and in identity. Every interaction with the assortment of humanity – even the uncomfortable ones – has taught us something about ourselves and how to further appreciate individuals and understand their communities as well.
Asha’s father, a long-time educator, used to say, “You cannot have excellence without diversity,” and we believe the same is true when creating your social circle.
Q: How was the novel’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?
A: Alli is an idea woman with explosive and excellent notions. When we neared the end of writing Boss Lady, she called Asha and just blurted out, “I know the title of the book!” Asha agreed right away.
We hope this title speaks to people across all socioeconomic lines, especially to anyone who believes you don’t need a high-powered job, designer clothes, funds to travel, or post-nominal letters to be a joyful success.
Our main character, Toni, has talent and love and support and even with all of that, life happens to her just as it does to the rest of us. A distressed marriage, an unfinished education, and a job she is grossly over-qualified for means Toni has some regret about her circumstances and feels she is wasting her potential.
It’s up to her friends and family to convince her that no matter when or where, she is always a Boss Lady. It finally sinks in for our heroine, Toni, when she takes charge of her life and focuses on her own future that she realizes just how big of a Boss Lady she is.
Q: Did you need to do any research to write the book, and if so, did you learn anything that especially surprised you?
A: We are both dedicated and well-practiced people watchers, and we have a great time viewing our fellow humans on trains, roadways, and planes. Traveling to see each other and to spend time with our readers around the country means we feel as if airports are our second homes!
We studied terminal plans from San Francisco International Airport to add authenticity to our story and learned more airport terminology than we ever thought we would need, but this type of learning is a bonus in our career.
In Boss Lady we create a story that showcases many cultures and creeds, so after doing our own due diligence, we lean heavily on early readers who help critique the various identities about which we write.
Sharing stories with people is awesome on its own; satisfying our craving to learn makes the research involved in penning a novel extra special.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Our fifth novel, Better Last Than Never (working title), is underway! We hope to create a laugh-out-loud homage to Gen X women who realize what a life they have led and the amazing journey that still exists before us. We are crazy about this story because we get a chance to both honor and laugh at ourselves and our generational peers.
In this story we explore the particular difficulties of living in the “sandwich” era of life: taking care of aging parents and dependent children at the same time. It’s the wild ride we are both on at the moment.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: We are so deep into cancel culture era where people feel stifled to say anything for fear of being attacked and dismissed. If we want to know people better, particularly people different than ourselves, we must enter conversations with the assumption of good will for all who are gathered to talk and listen. We need to speak bravely and listen fearlessly.
If the questions you ask, or the answers you give are not met with an open heart and mind, but with derision, do not let that stop you from reaching out to another person. And another. And another until you find the understanding you seek.
We are speaking less to one another right now, rather than more, and that is not the way to bring our country together, it can only divide us further. Words can be powerful, words can be emotional, but in the end, they are what we rely on to connect with our fellow humans.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Alli Frank and Asha Youmans.
