Sally Chaffin Brooks is the author of the new memoir Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fall on the Appalachian Trail. Also a stand-up comedian and podcaster, she lives in Atlanta.
Q: Why did you decide to write Going to Maine?
A: I wish I could say I wrote Going to Maine for a noble reason, but the truth is that I really loved writing about this time in my life. Hiking the Appalachian Trail gave me so much–self-confidence, perspective, lifelong friendships…A HUSBAND–and this book is my love letter to the trail.
Delving back into the adventure a second time through writing was so much fun, and I think that is reflected in the end product!
Q: The comedian Bobcat Goldthwait called the book “the perfect mix of heartfelt and laugh-out-loud funny.” What do you think of that description?
A: The quote is exactly what I hope people find in my book, that it is both full of heart and laughter. And to have those qualities recognized by one of the most talented comedians and directors around? That is a literal dream come true.
Q: What impact did it have on you to write Going to Maine?
A: I’ve been a freelance writer and comedian for over a decade, but Going to Maine is my first book, and I learned so much by writing it!
In fact, writing a book and long distance hiking are very similar–both seem like a fun idea when you start, there is a point about a quarter of the way through when you start to question your life choices, and by the end you are a changed person.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from the book?
A: My main goal is for readers to be entertained. Whether they are in it for the love story, the friendship, the journey of self-discovery, or the adventure, I hope that readers enjoy the journey as much as I did.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m working on a couple of projects– one is a book about pursuing a stand-up comedy career, tentatively titled Middling, and the other is a novel loosely based on the time my mom was run out of Chicago by the mob (allegedly).
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I’m also a stand-up comedian and podcaster! If you like to laugh, I have two comedy albums that you can find on Spotify (Brooks was Here, Street Bird) and a podcast (The Ridiculist) that you can find wherever you get your podcasts.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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