Councilwoman takes time out for 'Chocolate Dancing'

In addition to being a Cape Girardeau councilwoman, Evelyn Boardman can also be called published author now that her debut book, "Chocolate Dancing," awaits release.

"It's totally a local production," Boardman said. The book was published by Concord Publishing, edited by Dr. Jenny Cooper at Southeast Missouri State University and the cover was designed by local artist Don Greenwood.

The book even features Cape Girardeau and Ste. Genevieve early on in the story.

While Boardman admits some of the characters bear somewhat of a resemblance to local figures -- one, that of eccentric artist Santa Fe, is based on a particular artist in Cape Girardeau -- she said all her characters are really composites of people she has known throughout her life.

"I've had an interesting life, so I had reserves to develop characters and plot lines," she said.

"Chocolate Dancing" is a romance that follows the love affair between Chicago gallery director Gage McClendon and dashing pilot Jack Callahan when they reunite 30 years after working together in Vietnam.

The book takes place in the familiar surroundings of Cape Girardeau and Ste. Genevieve to a ranch in Wyoming and across the world in Singapore.

Some of the settings and characters in the book reflect Boardman's own interests and experiences.

Although she has never worked at a gallery, Boardman said she loves art and is always the first in line for an exhibit opening.

Boardman grew up in Cape Girardeau, but for 20 years she lived in different locations within Europe and Asia while working for the American Red Cross on military bases.

Work on "Chocolate Dancing" started in 2001, but Boardman took some time away from writing and only completed the book last year.

Always a big reader, Boardman said she had two or three ideas in her head for a book for quite some time, but did not get around to working on the ideas until the plot and characters of "Chocolate Dancing" came to her.

While she was writing it, Boardman said she did not have any idea how it would end until she got to that point. "I didn't know exactly where I was going, but I had fun getting there," she said.

Boardman said that even though she had never written a book before, it came pretty easily and she had a lot of fun with it.

"Writing is inspired by curiosity and curiosity is a major part of my personality," she said. "I love words and I love books. I see and absorb characters in print so much more readily than on screen."

The public will get a chance to read "Chocolate Dancing" when it comes out on June 11 at Hastings Books, Music and Video. In addition to Hastings, the book will be sold at a few stores around Cape Girardeau, but will not be available outside of the city.

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182