Interview With Author Lisa Williams Kline

Something that was so important to me when writing Magic At The Grand Dragonfly Theatre was to have a strong sister bond between Iris and Violet. I want more books about women’s friendships. As such, I was delighted to learn about Lisa Williams Kine’s novel, Ladies’ Day. I sat down with Lisa to discuss generational novels, golf, what it takes to persevere as a writer, and more.

Author Lisa Williams Kline with pupper Joni

Can you tell us a bit about Ladies’ Day and what inspired it?

I always loved generational novels -- grandmothers, mothers and daughters -- in all their fascinating relationship permutations. And I'd always loved novels about women's friendships. And I've always been a fan of second-chance romances. So I decided to include all of those elements into one book -- and that was Ladies' Day! 

What made you decide on golfing as the sport?

My husband taught me how to play golf, and we really enjoyed playing together. I also had lots of fun playing with a group of women friends. The women's friendship novels I'd read in the past sometimes revolved around groups like book clubs, or cooking clubs, or quilting or knitting. I decided, wouldn't it be fun to write about a group of women who play golf? Terribly, of course -- they're not that good, they just have fun getting out there and spending time together. I first worried that I'd need to be an expert at golf to even think about writing about it, but then decided that if my characters were just hackers, being an expert wouldn't be necessary. Since my young character Sky is pretty good, and on her golf team, I was really thrilled that CamCat asked a young woman on the women's golf tour to review her chapters. It was really great working with CamCat on Ladies' Day. 

I love that the two main characters are two generations apart. What was it like writing from the perspectives of a teen and an older woman in the same novel?

When I first started writing the book, I was about the same age as Beth, so I had a very authentic view of what that mid-fifties age was like. I also had two daughters in high school, and I'd already written several novels from the point of view of teens, so I felt good about my connection with that age group. It was somewhat of a natural thing. I enjoyed writing the contrasts between the two ages. 

You’ve had an extensive history of writing, from articles, speeches, training tapes, brochures, and then eventually to short stories and novels. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Sometimes people think if they write one story, they should get it published. The same people, though, would never think that they could win a basketball game or play gorgeous music the first time they try. Because we use language when we write, which we use every day, maybe we think we should already be good at it. But writing well, like sports and performing arts, takes lots of practice. Many stories. Maybe many books. 

I've been in writers' groups with plenty of people who could write more beautifully than me. The rejection got to them, though, and they gave up on publication before I did. I for some reason just kept beating my head against the wall. I guess I wanted it really, really badly. Perseverance and resilience are equally as important in achieving publication as talent. Also, don't let the frustration of trying to get published keep you from continuing to enjoy the writing part. That's why you started doing it in the first place, so really revel in this amazing mode of recording and capturing human experience. Anne Lamott said this once in a speech I attended early in my writing career -- writing is glorious, while  publishing is often frustrating. And I have to remind myself of her wise words at least once a week.

Where can people order Ladies’ Day?

Ladies' Day really is available anywhere -- any bookstore can order it. And of course it's available online as well. 

What are you working on now?

I'm deep in the edits for my next women's fiction novel, The Bristlecone Writers' Group, which will be released by Harpeth Road Press in April 2026. Once again, I have a contrast between age groups -- three of the writers in the writers' group in the retirement community, who are in their 70's, and a young employee within the community, who is 19. It's about second-chance romances, longtime friendships, lifelong dreams, secrets from the past, the joy of writing, and banned books. Also, I really wanted pets to be characters in this book, so there is a beloved dog named Solomon and a very sneaky cat named Sir Arthur.  I'm having such a great time working on this story. 

Where’s the best place to follow you?

@lisawilliamskline on Instagram and @LisaKline566 on Facebook. I have also recently started a Substack, which is lisawilliamskline.