Gwendolyn: A Love Story is a fictional novel about a woman struggling with mental-health problems, and whose life takes an unlucky turn — landing her homeless in the streets of Pacific Beach. University City resident Pattie Leo Krohn self-published the 366-page book, a labor of love she began years ago but never had the time to finish. The out-of-work math and science teacher finished the project over the last year and said she has been delighted to share it with friends. Krohn hopes to change people’s views and assumptions about homeless people through the trials and tribulations of the protagonist in “Gwendolyn: A Love Story.” BBP: What was the publishing process like and how was it to see your work in print? Pattie Leo Krohn: It is very difficult to publish fiction these days. Agents and publishers will not even look at unsolicited manuscripts. I decided to be very brave and just publish this myself because I always have friends who want to read my work … and I end up photocopying too much! Indie publishing is great. I wrote, edited, copyedited and published this book without anyone else reading it … and then I just waited. Self-publishing is very easy and can cost absolutely nothing. BBP: Was this book based on true events in your life? PLK: All of the characters are completely invented and not based on anyone. Over the years I have talked to homeless people a lot just because I find them interesting, and in particular, the question of why this has happened to them and not to me. The characters are completely fictional but to me they became very real. The story takes place in Pacific Beach because it’s the kind of place where homeless people are more accepted, and as a community it exhibits values of compassion that I wanted for this book. I wanted Gwendolyn to be able to really live there, and when I’m in Pacific Beach I really expect to see her … living behind the library. I incorporated Coronado because it’s a well-known place famous for its luxurious accommodations and beaches. It’s a place easy to imagine. BBP: How did you come up with the twisting plot? PLK: I spent about 15 years working in psychiatry research at the University of California, San Diego. I have worked with some very ill people. I also have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and have studied math and physics for a teaching credential. I think this is a story that could actually happen. People are born with genes that predispose them to illnesses like schizophrenia and often, after suffering through a very traumatic event, they will have that first break from reality. There is no cure. So it makes sense that [the protagonist] would never recover and, in fact, does not wish to recover because that world is safe to her. BBP: How would you describe the book to someone who has never read it? PLK: This book is a story that tells why a woman who could have lived a normal life became destitute and homeless. I want people to reserve their judgment when they see people living on the streets. We don’t know what happened to them or why they are there. So often it’s an accident or an injury, or simply some very bad luck that has made it impossible for them to live normally. BBP: Do you have any other writing projects in the works? PLK: Right now I’m editing another book that takes place in Los Angeles from 1960 to 1970. It’s the story of a man who goes from being a narcissistic, shallow, privileged person to a compassionate, full and loving human being.
