I met Deborah at a book signing in Newport, RI. Little did I know at the time that this spunky red-head was actually a veteran film executive and an accomplished author. If you are looking for good summer reading, I would highly recommend her writing, and click here to view a full list of her books.Cannon Lewis: What inspired you to write you most recent book Gilded, How Newport Became America's Richest Resort?
Deborah Davis: I have always been fascinated by the opulent lifestyle in Newport, and I wanted to tell the inside story of the city's long and colorful history as the playground of the very, very rich.
CL: Cannon Lewis jewelry reaches a niche audience which I would describe as "refined bohemian." That being said, which of your books would you recommend and why?
DD: Definitely Strapless, the story of the scandal behind the John Singer Sargent painting, Madame X. The book shows that what you wear - in this case a stunning black dress -- can change your life, and it paints a vivid portrait of an enthralling time in history that is surprisingly like today. CL: As an author you have had the opportunity to act as an observer of so many people's lives through your research and interviews. What are a few of the most important life lessons you have learned from these encounters?
DD: I usually write about people who seem to have everything, but are rarely satisfied, leading me to believe that the greatest gift is not achieving success or fame, but appreciating what you have every day. It sounds like such a cliché, but I have spent so much time studying larger-than-life figures such as Madame X, Truman Capote, and the fabulously rich in Newport, R.I., and I am always surprised to see that happiness eludes them. The lesson is live in the moment, as best you can. CL: What is one of your favorite summer memories from your childhood?
DD: Waking up very early one summer morning and playing in my Grandmother's backyard, which was a magical place at first light. Her garden seemed enormous (it wasn't, really) and was filled with hiding places -- the Weeping Willow tree, the lilac bushes, the corner where the hedges met the wall -- for an imaginative little girl and her favorite dolls. CL: Looking back on your career as a writer, wife, and mother is there anything you would have done differently?
DD: Well, I was married at 23, so I couldn't have done that much earlier and I am happily married to the same man, so that choice was correct!. Sometimes I wish that I had started my family when I was younger, but then I might not have the two extraordinary children I have today. As for writing, I have been in training for this job my entire life. On a more practical note, when financial advisers tell you to save a little money each month for college, listen to them. Ouch. Oh, and I wish I had worn more sunblock. CL: What are some things that you have not done yet but would like to do in your lifetime?
DD: I would like to care for homeless dogs. My win-the-lottery dream is to underwrite a country home for abandoned pets -- a place where they could find comfort, love, and security. CL: What advice do you have for young people pursuing the field of writing?
DD: They have to learn that good writing is really about re-writing. Put ordinary words on the page and change them again and again, until they get better. And write about what interests you -- if you are genuinely enthusiastic about your subject, your readers will feel the same way. CL: How would you describe your personal style?
DD: I went to Catholic school as a child and it must have made a big impression on me because I'm all about uniforms. Lot's of black -- in fact ALL black -- clothing with strong, simple lines, and one signature piece of jewelry that says it all. CL: If you could have one piece of Cannon Lewis jewelry which one would it be and why?
DD: The Captivate Collection has captivated me! I love the pendants because of their beauty, their timelessness, and the great wisdom of the messages they carry. I especially like the one that says "Glean away the wheat, remove it from the shaft. Remove the comfort of the past, a new life is here at last." It is a "forever" piece -- one that would be precious and meaningful everyday, and for a lifetime.
