An Interview with Barbara Scoblic

Barbara Hoffbeck Scoblic (born July 1939 in Ortonville, Minnesota) is an American writer. In 1964, she began her writing career as a reporter for the Sioux Falls Argus Leader (a national award-winning newspaper). In 1965, as a Peace Corps Volunteer, she traveled to Thailand, where she taught English as a second language.

When she returned to the States, Barbara was an editor for G. P. Putnam’s Sons. Then, when she became a mother, she freelanced editing at home. Decades later, she wrote about growing up in rural South Dakota. Her memoir, Lost Without the River, was published by She Writes Press. It won top reviews in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and was picked as a recommended book by the New York Times.

Since she’s moved to an independent living facility in Bethesda, Maryland, Barbara’s writing continues to blossom. In only three years, she has completed a book about her new home, How To Age Gracefully (co-published by She Writes Press and Simon & Shuster), appeared on two regional TV programs, written a play, and has just published a book of poetry, My Seasonal Poems, which also features her photographs.

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Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’m inspired by many writers, but I will name a few Western writers, as I am originally from South Dakota. Ivan Doig taught me about how people in small towns all know each other and each other’s business and how to describe gunshots. He knew how unpredictable the land can be, and believed that ordinary people deserve to have their stories told. Norman Maclean taught me about street descriptions so that a reader could walk down the street at night or in fog and rain and not get lost, and how to place characters in precise locations. (A River Runs Through It). And Annie Proulx showed me how to write descriptions like pure poetry.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

Before I became a memoir writer, I worked in a variety of writing and editor-type jobs at newspapers and publishers. I was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Writing my first memoir, Lost Without the River, about growing up in South Dakota, took me 8 years or 80 years, depending on how you count. When I was 27, I realized the older generation would not always be with me, and I wanted to have those interesting and important stories written down. I only returned to my hometown in South Dakota for a short time twice a year. I did my best to meet with my uncles, my aunts, my parents, singly or together, and ask them questions. But I didn’t start writing the actual memoir until decades later. The title itself was also very difficult. I knew it needed the word ‘river’ in it, but so many books include that word in the title and I wanted it to stand out. Finally, it came to me in a dream, and later I found out that my father once said our family would be lost without the river. So it’s actually the perfect title.

In contrast, the text of How to Age Gracefully came much more quickly, as did the title, although the original title idea was How to be Old.

What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?

It was definitely when I began to get blurbs from fellow writers. I was floored that writers whose work I admire are now admiring my work.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

In my retirement community, hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s are blasting through the speakers, because nostalgia for our younger years runs high. “Crocodile Rock” by Elton John is a good representative song for the memoir. I even included it in an original musical that I wrote and produced for the residents and staff. I’d also choose Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” because living in a retirement community means being surrounded by friends. “Que Sera Sera” by Doris Day is one I find myself singing nearly every day, because you never know what’s going to happen here – maybe a resident will be banging his silverware or maybe you’ll be making hats to wear to your Kentucky Derby viewing. You just learn to take things as they come. I’ll also add some newer songs: “When You Were Young” by The Killers, “Wish I Knew You” by The Revivalists, and “The Knitting Song” by Paris Paloma.

What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?

I hope readers understand that having to move into assisted living isn’t the end of the world, but in fact opens up a whole new world for you. I was initially very upset to be giving up my independent life in New York City, but I have come to love living here. Growing old is a privilege not everyone gets after all!

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

It has been so rewarding to do events and talk to people about living their best life in their senior years. Recently at an event, the moderator asked me when I knew I could be truly happy at Brightview. And I thought about it briefly before realizing it was when I understood I would have day-to-day contact with fellow writers who also live in the community. Seeing my fellow residents actively pursuing their creative goals is inspiring to me.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I love writing poetry, and write a few poems every week. Some are about my experiences in the retirement community and some are inspired by memories. I am also working on a sequel to How to Age Gracefully – there is no end to the content to be gleaned here. And I also hope to finally finish my memoir about my time in the Peace Corps and subsequent travels called Oh the Wonder of It All.

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