When I finally decided to write a book after years of being a journalist, I realized I loved stories and storytelling. Books were my best friends and I read wherever I could – in the car, in bed, under the covers with a flashlight when I was supposed to be asleep, at the table when I could get away with it. I never thought about being a writer! I was a reader. Growing up, did you always know you wanted to be a writer? I also love weaving historical facts into a narrative that people want to read. Put me in a library like UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library or LA’s Huntington Library and lock the doors. What is your favorite part of the creative process? I realized I could write a book that examined Anderson’s crime, explored why he set the fire, and use the history of the 1875 port to discuss the history of California. We struck up a relationship carried out in letters, phone calls, jail visits and court hearings. What is the value of wine? Why do humans worship it? When I was pondering those questions I got a collect call from Mark Anderson, the man who was charged – and eventually convicted – of arson for the 2005 fire. I wanted to explore what was lost, both by the winemakers and my family. Two things: I learned that not only destroyed 4.5 million bottles of fine California wine worth $250 million, but also ruined 175 bottles of port made in 1875 in Southern California by my great-great-grandfather. What inspired you to write to Tangled Vines?
For today’s blog, we had the privilege of sitting down with Frances to learn more about how she came to write this intriguing book, and how the power of the written word has influenced her own life.
We are pleased to feature Frances Dinkelspiel and her book, Tangled Vines: Greed, Murder, Obsession and an Arsonist in the Vineyards of California, at the center of this wine-themed event. Our San Francisco Scribbles to Novels gala has an exciting theme this year: the behind-the-vines tales of the Northern California wine industry. Scribbles to Novels celebrates the power of written word while raising funds to support Jumpstart programming.
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