Barbara Presnell
A daughter's story of unresolved grief and a family's hard-won healing
"Presnell is a gifted and gutsy writer. Her memoir is utterly compelling, full of longing and grace."
—Judy Goldman, author of Child: A Memoir
When her husband Bill died in 1969, Tina Presnell gathered her three children. "We won't talk about this," she said. "It will be easier that way." In 2012, several years after her mother's death, Barbara Presnell recovered her father's World War II belongings: a scrapbook, news clippings, documents, and letters. Recalling how much his war experiences had meant to him, Barbara, along with her estranged brother and sister, planned a journey to travel their father's route through Europe. From Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, to the western bank of the Elbe River in Magdeburg, Germany, the siblings would follow the movements of their father's division and rediscover his stories, share memories, and renew family bonds.
In Otherwise, I'm Fine, Presnell tells the story of her grief and, across her tour of western Europe, the breakthroughs that released her from recurring depression, resolved her conflicted grief for her mother, and returned her beloved father to her and her siblings as a living memory.
"This is a beautiful book."​
—John Lane, author of The Father Box
A lifelong Southerner, Barbara Presnell studied writing and literature at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Kentucky and, after years of teaching both, she is Senior Lecturer Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She is drawn to stories of the ordinary becoming the extraordinary, the unknown and unimportant becoming the hero, women, men, and children--all of us--doing our best to make meaning in a complicated, difficult, beautiful world. She lives in Lexington, North Carolina, with her husband, Bill Keesler, and rescue dog, Colby. Her adult son and his family live nearby, and her two hilarious grandsons share her loves of building, making, exploring, and reading.
Upcoming Events
Please join Barbara as she launches Otherwise, I’m Fine in some of her favorite places. Whether you’re an old family friend, a neighbor or colleague, or an avid reader, you’’ll be welcomed! For additional information, contact the event coordinators, listed below each event site.
April 22, 7:00 p.m. Linbrook Heritage Estate near Asheboro
5297 Snyder Country Rd, Trinity, NC 27370
Join Barbara and hometown friends, neighbors, and family, right where the story began, to celebrate the release of Otherwise, I’m Fine. Hosted by RhinoLeap Theatre and Friends of the Library.
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Event Coordinator: Carey Durham 919-971-8073​
RELEASE DAY CELEBRATION!!
April 22, 6:00 p.m. reception, 7:00 p.m. program
Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Ave, Asheboro, NC
Join Barbara and hometown friends, neighbors, and family right where the story began,to celebrate the release of Otherwise, I’m Fine. Hosted by Friends of the Library of Randolph County.
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Event Coordinator: Owen George, President, Friends of the Library
May 8, 9, 10 Johnston County, NC, a JoCo mini-tour
Barbara will be in Selma, Smithfield, Pine Level, and Princeton to read and talk about writing memoir and preserving stories of family members and war veterans. On Thursday, May 8, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day, the end of war!
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Event coordinator: Cindy Brookshire 919-202-5990
May 8, 9, 10
Johnston County, NC, a JoCo mini-tour
Barbara will be in Selma, Smithfield, Pine Level, and Princeton to read and talk about writing memoir and preserving stories of family members and war veterans. On Thursday, May 8, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe day, the end of war!
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Event coordinator: Cindy Brookshire 919-202-5990
May 17, 2:00 p.m. Lexington Library Annex
602 S Main St, Lexington, NC (336) 242-2040
The Lexington launch is sponsored by the Friends of the Lexington Library! Antionette Kerr, editor of Davidson Local, will interview Barbara as well as her brother, Edwin and sister Ellen. Barbara will read from the book and will be happy to sign your copy.
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Event coordinator: Rosa Terry, President, Friends of the Lexington Library
May 17, 2:00 p.m.
Lexington Library Annex
602 S Main St, Lexington, NC (336) 242-2040
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The Lexington launch is sponsored by the Friends of the Lexington Library! Antionette Kerr, editor of Davidson Local, will interview Barbara as well as her brother, Edwin and sister Ellen. Barbara will do a brief reading from the book and all three will be happy to sign your copy!
Event coordinator: Rosa Terry, President, Friends of the Lexington Library
