The following is an interview with comedian Sally Chaffin Brooks on the release of her memoir, Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fall on the Appalachian Trail, through Running Wild Press. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Chaffin Brooks about her decision to share her story with readers, what she hopes that readers might take away from her journey, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: This Fall will see the release of your memoir, Going to Maine: All the Ways to Fall on the Appalachian Trail, from Running Wild Press. What inspired you to share your story with readers?
Sally Chaffin Brooks: Among the hiking community, there is a big appetite for trail journals, so when I started writing about my Appalachian Trail thru-hike, I thought of it simply as a way to catalog the trip for that audience.
But as I got into it, I realized that I was actually writing something far more universally relatable than a months-long hiking trip; I was telling the story of a young person who was trying to understand what they wanted out of life, who, in a bid to get to know themselves, stumbled a lot, but ultimately gained strength, perspective, friendship, and (unexpectedly) love.
BD: What can you tell us about your creative process in bringing this personal narrative to life on the page, and what did you find to be the most challenging or reward aspects of this creative journey?
SCB: I loved writing this book! Every time I sat down to write, it was a chance to relive and reflect on one of the coolest experiences of my life. Writing the book solidified how much I love crafting a story, whether it’s through stand-up comedy or writing a book.
Of course, as a person with too many jobs and a kid, finding the time to actually sit down to write was easier said than done. The time and concentration needed to complete a project of this scale is sorely lacking in my everyday life, so writing this book taught me a lot about how to carve out space to do the things that are important to me.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that your story – and your collective journey alongside your best friend – may connect with and impact readers?
SCB: The journey of self-discovery is one that every young person goes through (and honestly, one that I’m still on as a person in their 40s), and I hope that readers will recognize something of themselves in me or Erin. If the book has an impact beyond entertaining folks (I mean, who doesn’t love a good buddy comedy or love story!), I hope that it inspires them to choose their own adventure – whether it’s hiking the Appalachian Trail or going to that hip-hop dance class they’ve always wondered about.
BD: What makes Running Wild Press the perfect home for your story?
SCB: It can be hard out there for a non-celebrity memoir! Running Wild’s mission statement is that “We believe that great stories don’t fit neatly in a box.” I feel so lucky that Running Wild saw the value in my story!
BD: Are there any other projects that you would like to share with our readers?
SCB: Yes! I’m currently working on another memoir about pursuing a career as a stand-up comedian, tentatively titled Middling. I also host a comedy podcast called The Ridiculist with fellow comedian Jen O’Neill and write a monthly newsletter called the Blah Blah Blah on Substack.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find out more about Going to Maine?
SCB: You can pre-order Going to Maine in paperback, eBook and audiobook at most major booksellers (It comes out September 10th.), and find all the links on my website, sallychaffinbrooks.com.
