Meet Author Danielle Martin
By Donald Partelow
The Pawling LIbrary’s special guest for an online presentation on the evening of Friday, January 29 was Danielle Martin, a very talented writer who joined us to discuss her debut novel Glimmer As You Can.
The story is set in 1962 Brooklyn Heights and features the Starlite Boutique Dress Shop that in the evening also serves as an underground social club for women.
Danielle has received much praise for her novel. New York Times bestselling author Allison Pataki wrote: “Told against the historic backdrop of a time of great social change, and with colorful language and details, this is a timely and beautiful story of female friendship and strength, of the secrets we all carry behind our smiles, and the power to be found in a sisterhood of supportive women.”
Danielle Martin began by talking about the origins of the book, what made her write it, what the book means to her, and why she wanted to write about this time period.
As a child growing up in the 80s Danielle was fascinated with the 1960s. She listened to her mother’s records and imagined what the culture was like. “1962 in particular really caught my attention,” said Danielle, “This sort of juncture between the 50s when life was maybe a little more staid, and then heading into the later 60s where things got a little more wild. So the story sort of straddles those two zones: oppression, repression and moving toward freedom. That was my goal.” She acknowledged that of course there has been a lot of change, a massive amount of change but that maybe not as dramatic as we thought it would have been. This is why she chose this time period.
“I was really happy to explore more about not just the historical events,” said Danielle, “but taking the individual perspective, something that is usually missing from history books, even biographies. You get this feeling or emotion.”
Danielle said that she’s hoping with future books she’ll continue to explore the different parts of the 20th century and women’s perspectives, women’s experiences, especially young women on the cusp of change.
“I want to continue to write about this time when, as women were more in the workforce, they were also often struggling with different issues that were not being talked about openly.”
After a 30 minute talk Danielle opened the program up for questions.
“You said you had a fascination with the 60s. Do you know where that came from?”
Danielle Martin: “I’ve just always loved the music, the culture, and the arts. The idea of increasing amounts of freedom. All throughout writing this book I was listening to 1960s music. I often enjoyed writing while listening to music. When I listen to music in general it usually brings a story idea, or this idea of immersing myself in another world. I think a lot of writing for me comes from music.
“What inspired you to write about an after-hours club?”
Danielle Martin: “I wanted to write about what could happen during the night when people tend to be less inhibited. I knew if I was going to write about a place like this, where women were going to be free, and let themselves be, that it had to be at night. I also wanted the sense of mystery, danger and intrigue, and everything that comes from being in a place that’s open at night when everything else is closed.”
“Did you always want to write?”
Danielle Martin: “I always loved writing. I think it came as an outgrowth of reading. I was reading so much as an only child and that was my entertainment, and I just started writing my own stories.”
At the end of the program a patron shared with the author, “You are incredibly insightful, and have written an expansive story of not just people but the era in which they lived. I’ll come to understand more about myself by reading your book.”
Pushing back tears, Danielle Martin expressed how much those words meant to her, and were the nicest thing anyone has ever said about her novel and writing it.
Before the program began, the author shared with us that her father, a very kind man whom many in our community knew, owned Dutchess Optician which was located on East Main St in the village of Pawling. Danielle said, “I went there almost every weekend. Pawling was always the best place with the nicest people.” We agree and thank Danielle Martin and look forward to many more novels. Glimmer As You Can was published by Alcove Press in November 2020.
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