Book-Remarks.com Interview with Claudia M. Dobson-Largie

Claudia M. Dobson Largie		Book-Remarks.com Featured Author Claudia M. Dobson-Largie August 2003 Interview Claudia Dobson-Largie has a degree in Sociology from the University of Baltimore. She is married with three sons and currently resides in Maryland. The Paybacker's Club is her first published project. She also has two other completed manuscripts which she plans to publish in the near future.
Questions and Answers with Claudia M. Dobson-Largie What is your inspiration for writing The Paybackers’ Club? My sister was a victim of domestic violence for over sixteen years and each time she returned home to her husband I felt like I had failed to help keep her safe. I had a deep sense of helplessness knowing that her decision to permanently abandon the relationship was out of my control. The Paybackers’ Club explores the choices women have in dealing with domestic violence, and the consequences of their actions. Although the main characters are all victims of abuse, the character I identified with the most was Modesty’s mother, a character who often voiced her opinion and frustration on the situation. Tell us a little about your background. Who influenced you to become a writer? What other authors give you motivation? Throughout my school years, college especially, teachers always encouraged me to pursue a writing career. However, I dismissed their confidence in my writing ability and pursued a degree in Sociology instead. Writing has always been an outlet for me to express myself, so I never gave up my passion to write. Accomplished writers like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison who have reaped the rewards as a result of their dedication to writing and their gift of telling a good story motivate me to continue writing. What process did you go through to get your book in print? (Please be as lengthy as you wish). Breaking into the market as a new writer is quite a challenge. It was not always easy to persevere, but my love for the English language persuaded me to continue writing and trying to have other people read about what I have to say. Initially I tried the traditional means of submitting my work to publishers and editors, but when I learned that many new authors were either self-publishing or utilizing print on-demand publishing services to get their work out quicker to the public, I decided to also take that route. Once the book was actually published, I realized that my work had just begun. The most well-written book could sit on a shelf indefinitely if it is not properly marketed. I appreciate Book-Remarks providing an opportunity for putting the buzz out about The Paybackers’ Club. What is your favorite part of the writing process? Once I select a subject matter that I would like to approach, I enjoy developing each character and then incorporating the characters into the actual storyline. I also like having full control of telling the story and having the autonomy to rewrite a scene. Let’s discuss the characters in The Paybackers’ Club. The males and females that hang around each other all have something in common. Was this planned intentionally so you could use it as part of your plot line, or is it coincidental? Did you feel you could make a stronger point by showcasing several women who were all being abused by their boyfriends? The characters sharing the same background was intentional. Domestic violence comes in various forms and I wanted to have that depicted in the story. One almost always thinks of the physical aspects of domestic violence when the topic is mentioned. However, some women are emotionally and sexually abused rather than physically. It is not that unusual for a circle of friends to all be victims of some form of abuse and not be aware of it. In the Paybackers’ Club, the women eventually become aware that they all share this common bond, and that knowledge is what keeps their relationship strong as they provide support to each other. “Don’t mistake comfort for happiness” is a good line from your book. Do you know some of the reasons women have for not wanting to remove themselves from abusive situations? A major reason why women tolerate their abusive relationship is for their children's sake. In fact, that excuse seems to legitimize their decision to stay and diminishes some of the guilt and shame they experience for staying with the batterer. Also, women spend a lot of time and energy setting up a house, which is often a reflection of who they are. Leaving an abusive relationship also means abandoning their home. Financial security and low self-esteem are two other reasons women find it difficult to separate themselves from the batterers. What kinds of research did you have to do for your book (if any)? I did most of my research on the Internet. For instance, the experiment performed on mice explaining the psychology of why some women are reluctant to leave an abusive relationship was found while surfing the Internet. Knowing a family member who was a victim of domestic violence also gave me some insight of the devastating effects of domestic violence. Can you talk a little about masochism? What is the definition and what kinds of traits do you find in a person who is a masochist? Masochism is traditionally defined as receiving pleasure from suffering physical and psychological pain, inflicted by others or by oneself. Low-self esteem, submissiveness, and people-pleasing behavior are some of the traits found in individuals with masochistic tendencies. What has been the best thing about having your book in print? It was quite exciting to see my book come into being--from the time I got the first draft of my book from the publisher to actually seeing what the book cover would look like. I remember visiting Internet sites like Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com daily [sometimes several time a day] to view my book cover on-line. Being selected for the Editors Choice Blue Ribbon Award from iUniverse.com was also exciting. Is there a second book in the works? If so, tell us about it. “Mi Sista” is the next book that I will publish. During the late 1960’s many Jamaican families were migrating from the island and coming to the United States primarily to escape the political and economical situation. The St. James family was part of that exodus. Mi Sista is a story about a family with five children, four sisters and a brother. Although the story tells about the family’s assimilation into the American culture, displaying their challenges and accomplishments, it also emphasizes the dynamics of the relationship between the sisters. Like most families, the strength of their family bond will be tested in many ways, and the path each individual in the family chooses to take will have negative and positive outcomes. A question raised within the story is whether or not their lives would have been better if they had stayed in Jamaica. What advice do you have for aspiring authors? If you believe you have something worth saying and are passionate about your work, don’t give up on your project -- that's taking the easy way out. Do not abandon your dreams and aspirations of becoming a published writer when presented with a roadblock. Accept that not everyone will appreciate what you write about, your writing style, or the way in which you present the story. Know that you can’t please everyone, but there are enough readers out there to attract your own target market. It’s alright to be disappointed and feel sorry for yourself if doors don’t open up for you after all your efforts—that’s human nature; however, give those emotions only the few seconds they deserve and then aggressively put all your efforts into redirecting your focus on your work and believing in yourself. And most of all, good luck!!
Book Description Is murder ever justified? A friendship between four women develops after they each learn that they share a painful common bond, domestic violence. The women form The Paybackers' Club to give them a sense of empowerment. The characters are all very different in their personalities, and in their reactions to the abuse. One woman goes so far as to exact the ultimate revenge. Did the club cause her action? Join Melody, Sofie, Maxine, and Desiree as they descend into the pits of abuse, and rise again.



Review of The Paybackers' Club Claudia M. Dobson-Largie is a commanding writer who has penned a good debut novel. With smooth pacing and great dialogue, her entrance into the book world suggests a confident writer who has a good command of language. The Paybackers' Club is narrated by Melody, a quick-witted, seemingly bright and strong woman who allows the charming yet dark-natured Leopold into her life. He begins to abuse her and Melody must make either excuses or vital decisions about how she plans to deal with this tragic part of her life. Coincidentally, Melody and a few female friends find out they're going through the same situation, and they begin to plot how they want to handle their men which puts them all at a crossroads. A couple of missing elements in this novel are (1) setting - a sense of place either geographically or otherwise. You cannot get a feel of where the characters are when they're in a room, so more detailed descriptions regarding that were needed. Also, (2) the characters' emotions could have benefited from more variety or deeper description. There is lots of great dialogue but you cannot really tell how the characters' feel. Are they elated? Jealous? A little more emphasis or change in the narrator's voice would give the reader a stronger idea. The book is important, however, because it highlights the reality of being abused through a myriad of characters and plot changes; and the writer is talented and skilled enough to have a promising future as a novelist.
Claudia Dobson-Largie Online Visit the author's official website

Claudia M. Dobson Largie

Book-Remarks.com

Featured Author

Claudia M. Dobson-Largie

August 2003 Interview

Claudia Dobson-Largie has a degree in Sociology from the University of Baltimore. She is married with three sons and currently resides in Maryland. The Paybacker's Club is her first published project. She also has two other completed manuscripts which she plans to publish in the near future.

Questions and Answers with Claudia M. Dobson-Largie

What is your inspiration for writing The Paybackers’ Club? My sister was a victim of domestic violence for over sixteen years and each time she returned home to her husband I felt like I had failed to help keep her safe. I had a deep sense of helplessness knowing that her decision to permanently abandon the relationship was out of my control. The Paybackers’ Club explores the choices women have in dealing with domestic violence, and the consequences of their actions. Although the main characters are all victims of abuse, the character I identified with the most was Modesty’s mother, a character who often voiced her opinion and frustration on the situation.

Tell us a little about your background. Who influenced you to become a writer? What other authors give you motivation? Throughout my school years, college especially, teachers always encouraged me to pursue a writing career. However, I dismissed their confidence in my writing ability and pursued a degree in Sociology instead. Writing has always been an outlet for me to express myself, so I never gave up my passion to write. Accomplished writers like Alice Walker and Toni Morrison who have reaped the rewards as a result of their dedication to writing and their gift of telling a good story motivate me to continue writing.

What process did you go through to get your book in print? (Please be as lengthy as you wish). Breaking into the market as a new writer is quite a challenge. It was not always easy to persevere, but my love for the English language persuaded me to continue writing and trying to have other people read about what I have to say. Initially I tried the traditional means of submitting my work to publishers and editors, but when I learned that many new authors were either self-publishing or utilizing print on-demand publishing services to get their work out quicker to the public, I decided to also take that route. Once the book was actually published, I realized that my work had just begun. The most well-written book could sit on a shelf indefinitely if it is not properly marketed. I appreciate Book-Remarks providing an opportunity for putting the buzz out about The Paybackers’ Club.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Once I select a subject matter that I would like to approach, I enjoy developing each character and then incorporating the characters into the actual storyline. I also like having full control of telling the story and having the autonomy to rewrite a scene.

Let’s discuss the characters in The Paybackers’ Club. The males and females that hang around each other all have something in common. Was this planned intentionally so you could use it as part of your plot line, or is it coincidental? Did you feel you could make a stronger point by showcasing several women who were all being abused by their boyfriends? The characters sharing the same background was intentional. Domestic violence comes in various forms and I wanted to have that depicted in the story. One almost always thinks of the physical aspects of domestic violence when the topic is mentioned. However, some women are emotionally and sexually abused rather than physically. It is not that unusual for a circle of friends to all be victims of some form of abuse and not be aware of it. In the Paybackers’ Club, the women eventually become aware that they all share this common bond, and that knowledge is what keeps their relationship strong as they provide support to each other.

“Don’t mistake comfort for happiness” is a good line from your book. Do you know some of the reasons women have for not wanting to remove themselves from abusive situations? A major reason why women tolerate their abusive relationship is for their children's sake. In fact, that excuse seems to legitimize their decision to stay and diminishes some of the guilt and shame they experience for staying with the batterer. Also, women spend a lot of time and energy setting up a house, which is often a reflection of who they are. Leaving an abusive relationship also means abandoning their home. Financial security and low self-esteem are two other reasons women find it difficult to separate themselves from the batterers.

What kinds of research did you have to do for your book (if any)? I did most of my research on the Internet. For instance, the experiment performed on mice explaining the psychology of why some women are reluctant to leave an abusive relationship was found while surfing the Internet. Knowing a family member who was a victim of domestic violence also gave me some insight of the devastating effects of domestic violence.

Can you talk a little about masochism? What is the definition and what kinds of traits do you find in a person who is a masochist? Masochism is traditionally defined as receiving pleasure from suffering physical and psychological pain, inflicted by others or by oneself. Low-self esteem, submissiveness, and people-pleasing behavior are some of the traits found in individuals with masochistic tendencies.

What has been the best thing about having your book in print? It was quite exciting to see my book come into being--from the time I got the first draft of my book from the publisher to actually seeing what the book cover would look like. I remember visiting Internet sites like Barnesandnoble.com and Amazon.com daily [sometimes several time a day] to view my book cover on-line. Being selected for the Editors Choice Blue Ribbon Award from iUniverse.com was also exciting.

Is there a second book in the works? If so, tell us about it. “Mi Sista” is the next book that I will publish. During the late 1960’s many Jamaican families were migrating from the island and coming to the United States primarily to escape the political and economical situation. The St. James family was part of that exodus. Mi Sista is a story about a family with five children, four sisters and a brother. Although the story tells about the family’s assimilation into the American culture, displaying their challenges and accomplishments, it also emphasizes the dynamics of the relationship between the sisters. Like most families, the strength of their family bond will be tested in many ways, and the path each individual in the family chooses to take will have negative and positive outcomes. A question raised within the story is whether or not their lives would have been better if they had stayed in Jamaica.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors? If you believe you have something worth saying and are passionate about your work, don’t give up on your project -- that's taking the easy way out. Do not abandon your dreams and aspirations of becoming a published writer when presented with a roadblock. Accept that not everyone will appreciate what you write about, your writing style, or the way in which you present the story. Know that you can’t please everyone, but there are enough readers out there to attract your own target market. It’s alright to be disappointed and feel sorry for yourself if doors don’t open up for you after all your efforts—that’s human nature; however, give those emotions only the few seconds they deserve and then aggressively put all your efforts into redirecting your focus on your work and believing in yourself. And most of all, good luck!!

Book Description

Is murder ever justified? A friendship between four women develops after they each learn that they share a painful common bond, domestic violence. The women form The Paybackers' Club to give them a sense of empowerment. The characters are all very different in their personalities, and in their reactions to the abuse. One woman goes so far as to exact the ultimate revenge. Did the club cause her action? Join Melody, Sofie, Maxine, and Desiree as they descend into the pits of abuse, and rise again.

Review of The Paybackers' Club

Claudia M. Dobson-Largie is a commanding writer who has penned a good debut novel. With smooth pacing and great dialogue, her entrance into the book world suggests a confident writer who has a good command of language.

The Paybackers' Club is narrated by Melody, a quick-witted, seemingly bright and strong woman who allows the charming yet dark-natured Leopold into her life. He begins to abuse her and Melody must make either excuses or vital decisions about how she plans to deal with this tragic part of her life. Coincidentally, Melody and a few female friends find out they're going through the same situation, and they begin to plot how they want to handle their men which puts them all at a crossroads.

A couple of missing elements in this novel are (1) setting - a sense of place either geographically or otherwise. You cannot get a feel of where the characters are when they're in a room, so more detailed descriptions regarding that were needed. Also, (2) the characters' emotions could have benefited from more variety or deeper description. There is lots of great dialogue but you cannot really tell how the characters' feel. Are they elated? Jealous? A little more emphasis or change in the narrator's voice would give the reader a stronger idea.

The book is important, however, because it highlights the reality of being abused through a myriad of characters and plot changes; and the writer is talented and skilled enough to have a promising future as a novelist.

Claudia Dobson-Largie Online

Visit the author's official website