Short Bio- Daisy DeMay lives in Illinois with her children and husband of 25yrs. She loves sitting and watching the storms roll in. She enjoys reading outside in the warmth of the sun. When she’s not working, she creates stories to share. She has a fascination with the macabre. She approaches everything in life with a mix of passion and logic.
1. If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Creative, Logical, Sympathetic
2. The title, “The Cost of Living,” carries deep symbolism. Could you explain the significance behind the title and how it relates to the themes explored in the novel?
We often question whether the result is worth what it costs to get there. Was the new job worth making your family start over somewhere else? Was your education worth the cost of your student loans? Was the new house worth taking on a second job?
In the novel, Sara experiences massive amounts of pain, loss, and suffering. She pays a high price to survive while others do not, yet they still survive. She struggles through all of the things thrown at her, constantly questioning the why of her survival and wondering multiple times if living was worth what she has to go through. That is where the title comes in.
3. The book’s description mentions “awakening amidst destruction.” Could you expand on the metaphorical significance of this awakening and how it contributes to Sarah’s journey?
Sarah hits rock bottom as the world around her is in destructive chaos. When she is at her lowest, she finally has clarity on what her life has become. She understands she was in a mentally abusive relationship, and she kept her kids in it with her. She figures out she is exactly who her husband has shaped and molded her into being and decides she doesn’t want to be that person anymore. She must decide who she is going to be versus who she was told to be.
4. The protagonist, Sarah, undergoes a profound transformation after experiencing immense loss and abuse. What inspired you to explore the theme of personal reinvention and empowerment through her character?
I have witnessed people close to me find strength in the darkest of times. They have grown and adapted to what life has thrown at them. It is humbling to see someone who has fallen build themselves back up into a stronger version of who they were before.
5. The Cost of Living” also delves into the potential consequences of unchecked criminals. How did you balance portraying the grim reality of their actions with the ethical and moral dilemmas they raise?
I would surmise that some people already have an idea in their heads of what should happen to criminals if we were to have an end-of-the-world event. This could lead to factions in what is left of society, those who think everyone deserves redemption or another chance and others who would feel removal from what is left of society is the only choice. I wanted to bring into the book thoughts on both. I tried to show that although the actions committed by the criminals were horrible, they were still human beings too, and I tried to show how judgmental and single-minded humans can be when they believe they are right.
6. Your writing style appears to blend suspense, emotion, and ethical exploration. How do you strike a balance between these elements to create a cohesive and engaging narrative?
I am fascinated by how people think; this has helped evolve my writing. I wanted the reader to feel as if they were experiencing everything with my characters: the fun stuff, embarrassing situations, and the emotional rock bottom moments. I made it flow and move throughout the book with an easy transition from one aspect of the characters’ lives to another. I wrote something I would enjoy reading.
7. Your work has been described as a cautionary tale. What impact do you hope “The Cost of Living” will have on readers’ perceptions of the environment, justice, and societal responsibilities?
Perhaps while reading, they will think about how they would react in the situations I threw my characters in. They could decide for themselves if they would bring something beneficial to the survival of life as we know it. It could invoke thoughts on making a few changes in their everyday life to help with climate control or being more informed on what it takes to have a functioning society. Some may have a new view on how we treat our fellow humans.
8. The concept of hope is central to the novel. How did you use storytelling techniques to convey this theme, and what message about hope do you hope readers take away from the book?
I want the readers to think about what they are capable of handling in their own lives. When you feel you have reached the end of what you can handle, you understand that there is a way forward from it. You need to discern what is happening, experience it, process it, and then find a way to come back from it, learn from it, and keep going.
9. The book’s conclusion promises a shocking twist. Without giving away any spoilers, can you discuss the importance of leaving readers surprised and engaged until the very end?
I enjoy reading books that I just can’t put down. I wanted to write something that you didn’t want to put down. A story that captivates you and keeps you engaged throughout the entire journey. Hoping it still lingers in your mind long after you have read the last word.
10. You’ve been married for 25 years and have a family. How do your personal relationships and life experiences shape the way you create characters and relationships within your novels?
I have had the joy of being able to experience a multitude of things in life. Every experience has helped shape and guide who I am, and that is reflected in my writing.
11. Your characters face a world without emergency services and governance. How do you think their struggles reflect larger societal themes or challenges that people might encounter in the real world?
It is a small look into one possible way people could react to the fall of stabilized structure. Sara herself is looking for help but is also trying to find answers. She encounters different people, each dealing with things in their way. You have some who have hunkered down and are waiting for rescue. At the same time, others are standoffish and want to be left alone. Then you have the criminals who see it as a playground. Different personalities will react the way they believe is most beneficial to them, even if it doesn’t fit into the social ideology of normal.
12. Congratulations on winning the Literary Titan Book Award! How did you feel when you first learned that your book, “The Cost of Living,” had received this recognition?
I have struggled for years because I don’t write ‘happily ever after’ tales. I have often been told that no one would want to read what I write. I had stopped writing for years and decided to try it again before officially calling it quits. When I got the email about winning, I felt validation for who I am as a writer.
13. For aspiring authors, winning an award can be a distant dream. What advice would you offer to writers who are working hard to craft exceptional stories and hope to achieve similar recognition in the future?
Believe in yourself is the easiest to write but sometimes the hardest to accomplish. Accept yourself and how you chose to write. Find your group of people, those who support you one hundred percent, and keep writing. Let everyone who is willing to read what you write read it. Take all of the suggestions, and think about them before you dismiss them. Lastly, accept criticism as a building block, use what you need, and disregard the ones that serve no purpose.
14. Do you have other writers in the family and friends?
My great Uncle Joe used to tell us kids “tall tales.” I had a cousin Tamara who wrote fantasy and poetry. Some younger nieces, nephews, and cousins have won awards at school for writing and could possibly pursue more one day.
15. Finally, can you share any upcoming projects or themes you’re excited to explore in your future works?
I am currently working on a new book, not a sequel. It is about a woman named Leigh, who, after an accident, wakes up with empathic abilities. She is navigating the world, trying to figure out if these abilities are a gift or a curse. My goal is to have it available in 2024.
Discover Sarah’s journey from despair to hope in Daisy DeMay’s gripping novel, “The Cost of Living.” Dive into a story of resilience and redemption, available now on Amazon.
