Elaine Corum Strawn is a Columbia, MO author whose latest fiction book is “Kiddie & the Major.” The book is romantic historical fiction inspired by her real life grandparents, journalist and sports announcer Bill Corum and model socialite Kiddie Kolle. Readers can follow their ups and downs of dating, falling in love, getting married and growing together as they try to live their best lives in New York City during the decadent 1920’s. Elaine is a first grade teacher in Columbia Public Schools and is the founder of Off & Running Publications. She has written two nonfiction books, “Lessons Learned in a Primary Classroom” and “Going on a Bear Hunt.” Elaine was kind enough to take the time to be interviewed via email.
Daniel Boone Regional Library: What do you understand better about your grandparents after researching and writing this book?
Elaine Corum Strawn: Growing up I never knew anything about the Corum side of my family. Sometime into our adult life my sister Kalea discovered Bill Corum’s autobiography, “Off & Running.” About this same time our cousin Glenn reached out to us and this family history started to write itself. I found the history of Kiddie Kolle’s family fascinating as well as how Bill Corum became a self-made man in the world of sports. I discovered that I come from a long line of writers in my family, and decided perhaps my legacy was to write the story of Kiddie & the Major.
Their story spoke to me and I began the research, handwritten outlines, and writing. Through the family photos and history lessons from Glenn and the nuggets I pulled from Bill Corum’s book, the story slowly started to take shape. While I had concrete evidence (weddings, births, sports events, etc.) there was much left to my imagination. I also spent hours researching New York City and the decadent twenties, wanting the story to be as authentic as possible to them being movers and shakers in this place and time.
I could imagine the struggle that Kiddie was determined to embrace — an era where women were finding their own voice at home and in the world. The Major had an equal set of challenges — finding the heart of a news story and wanting to make his mark on the sports world.
While Kiddie and the Major will never feel like true grandparents to me, they do feel like two people I know well and have a shared history with. Every conversation I have about the book is an opportunity to feel connected to them. I was able to create a literary relationship with them and they now live in my memories and heart in a different way. They are definitely two people I would choose to hang out with any night of the week, embracing the stories I can imagine they would have to tell.
DBRL: Several famous historical figures touched the lives of your grandparents in the book. Which ones were your favorites to include?
Strawn: The history of the 1920’s definitely was an exciting time to write about. While I know Bill Corum had relationships with many famous people, athletes and others in general, I did take some liberties. It’s fun to speculate who Kiddie and the Major rubbed elbows with such as Al Capone or the Fitzgerald’s.
Through Google I found a picture of Bill Corum having the honor of introducing Babe Ruth to Joe DiMaggio in 1938. I’m not much of a baseball fan, but even I was floored. That’s a fun fact that I loved writing into fiction as I could imagine both men starting their legendary careers together. One of my favorite quotes is from Babe Ruth and I included it in my book because it seemed to be relevant not only to Ruth, but to how I imagine Kiddie and the Major must have lived their lives: “Don’t let the fear of striking out hold you back.”
Marion Davies was my other favorite person to include bringing that old Hollywood glam to the story. Whereas Babe Ruth is mostly speculation, Kiddie’s mother Loretto really did work for Marion. I imagine the two of them collaborating over screenplays for Cosmopolitan Pictures, financed by Randolph Hearst. Besides her career in film, Marion also became known for lavish parties.
DBRL: You’ve written both fiction and nonfiction books. How has your writing process been different between the two?
Strawn: I had already started writing “Kiddie & the Major” when I took on the project of writing “Lessons Learned in a Primary Classroom.” I had written a book for teachers to graduate with my Master’s and used that as the frame for this new teacher book. I could literally write that book with my eyes closed. Besides my family, teaching is what I am most passionate about and have lived and loved (mostly lol) every day for more than 30 years.
Writing historical fiction is a lot more pressure to get it right. When someone says, “I didn’t know the Cardinals won their first World Series in 1926,” it better be true. To be honest, I never considered myself a history buff, but after doing all the research for two years for “Kiddie & the Major,” it turns out I am. I wanted to know everything from pop culture to inventions and politics.
I would take an interesting nugget and find a way to weave it into my story. Their attendance at the first performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” in 1924 was one of my favorite events to research and write about. Thanks to what I found through Google, it was easy for me to imagine the musical genius on stage as well as in the audience. It only seemed natural for Kiddie & the Major to be part of the glamour and glitz. The song also became a part of my “Kiddie & the Major” playlist I loved to listen to as I wrote.
DBRL: Your grandfather had a strong connection to Mid-Missouri since he grew up in the area and graduated from the University of Missouri. In one chapter, you even include your grandparents making a trip back to Columbia for homecoming. Were you tempted to write more about your grandfather’s time in the area?
Strawn: I love sharing that Bill and I both attended Mizzou, as did my daughter Hannah. We are tiger fans through and through and I knew I had to bring him home for a homecoming. Although I know Bill’s mother was happy to travel to wherever Bill was, it was easy to assume his father never made it to New York City. Bringing them home to Missouri gave Kiddie a chance to meet Bill’s family and explore his connection to the area. Once I started researching the historical facts, I was delighted to find that The Tiger Hotel was already built and that we stomped some Kansas Jayhawks that homecoming. Although I’m sure Bill always remembered his roots, it definitely seems he became a New Yorker through and through.
DBRL: Read anything good lately you’d like to recommend?
Strawn: I love reading, and teaching my first grade friends to love books is one of my favorite things in the world. One book I have enjoyed recently was “All Adults Here” by Emma Straub. It was a great read about generations of a family trying to figure life out and where they fit into it, very relatable!
DBRL: Where can readers get a copy of your book?
Strawn: As an Indy author & publisher, I would love to sell Kiddie & the Major directly to someone. You can email me at strawnelaine@gmail.com or go to our website offandrunningpublications.com. You can also find my book at Yellow Dog Bookshop.
