Notes from A Southern Kitchen, 10 Questions.... Hollis Gillespie

Hollis Gillespie is a hilarious southern writer, whose ability to weave a tale is reminiscent of the late-great Lewis Grizzard.


I first heard about Hollis Gillespie when she made an appearance several years ago on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." She cracked me up and the back and forth moments with Elijah Wood were some of the most genuine I have ever seen by guests on a talk show.


After her appearance, I picked up a copy of "Bleachy Haired Honky Bitch" and read it cover to cover, laughing all the way through. Since her first novel, she has written "Confessions of a Recovering Slut: and Other Love Stories" and my favorite "Trailer Trashed: My Dubious Efforts Towards Upward Mobility." Trust me, not only are the titles enticing, but the books are as well!


Ms. Gillespie was named the "Breakout Author of the Year" by Writer's Digest in 2004. Today, she is a featured speaker, columnist and novelist. Additionally, she shares her wisdom in the fields of publishing, book pitches and becoming a paid author through seminars she teaches.


Hollis Gillespie may not have been born a Southerner, but she has adapted well. This week, it is my pleasure to present...


10 Questions with Hollis Gillespie:





1) Where were you born?

Burbank, CA, but I never went back until my appearance on The Tonight Show and notice the hospital where I was born is located across the street.

2) Who is the greatest influence in your life and why?

My mother. She built bombs for a living and supported four kids plus an alcoholic husband with low self esteem. It took guts for her to get a job at IBM in the 50's straight out of college and pregnant with my big brother. Plus, she was a klepto and huge gambler. She could count cards even from a 6-deck shoe. I used to stand at her elbow in Vegas (back when they let kids in the casinos) and she would impart all kinds of wisdom, like, "Kid, you gotta put your chips on the table.:"

3) What is the one thing that you cannot do without in your Southern Kitchen?

Cake mix, chocolate chips and dough of all form.

4) What is your favorite holiday food?


Birthday cake.


5) What makes you a Southerner?


I've lived in Atlanta for 20 years and I've perfected the accent.


6) Biscuits or Cornbread?


Depends. If it's the cake-kinda cornbread then it's that. If it's the cake-kinda biscuits then it's that. The best would be a corn-biscuit cake with honey-butter cream frosting.



7) What is your favorite memory?

Selling my first book to HarperCollins and watching the offer with my advance come through on the fax machine.


8) Who taught you to cook?


My mother, if by "cook" you mean add water to a cup of chemicals.


9) Banana Sandwich or Tomato Sandwich?


Banana with peanut butter and honey on whole grain with, like, chocolate gelato . . . made into a cake.


10) What would you serve, or have served to you, for your FAVORITE Southern meal?


I don't eat meat, so I serve mac-n-cheese, collards with balsamic syrup, sweet potatoes with cinnamon and marshmallows, mushroom stuffing, cheese grits and cake.

Thank you Hollis Gillespie for your participation. For additional information on her books, her columns or her seminars, you may visit her website at http://www.hollisgillespie.com/