Author Publishes the Inside Story of New Orleans City Hall during Hurricane Katrina
When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast at the end of the summer in 2005, the country watched in shock as local officials tried to contain the disaster and assist local residents. Mayor Ray Nagin and his cabinet shifted operations to the Hyatt Hotel, seemingly cut off from the world and unable to obtain the resources they needed. In Eye of the Storm: Inside City Hall During Katrina, Sally Forman, director of communications for the mayor, provides the inside story of what exactly transpired those days as a depleted City Hall tried its best to save human life and support a city on the brink of destruction.
The events in Eye of the Storm were originally documented as Forman and a few City Hall officials struggled to address the problems caused by the massive storm. With the city’s infrastructure in shambles, Forman kept notes as communication was reduced to relaying important messages by word of mouth. “I was trying to organize and prioritize all the challenges we faced and make sure messages were getting to the right people,” says Forman.
The Writing Process from Notes to a Manuscript
As time passed and the city began to recover from the storm, Forman began to understand the historical significance of her story. “Congress had two investigations, but my notes were not subpoenaed. I knew that I needed to transcribe these notes for historical purposes and that we could learn from our mistakes. As I turned the notes into a chronology, I began to see a story emerge.”
To assist in translating the chronology into a coherent narrative, Forman enrolled in a creative writing class. “My degree is in broadcast journalism and my writing at City Hall was primarily press releases, talking points and speeches,” says Forman. “Taking a creative writing class taught me how important it was to bring in the senses, such as what I was thinking, the colors I saw, and the smells on the street. I wasn’t focused on those details originally, so the process forced me to go back and relive those events.”
Forman found the process of remembering difficult at first, but it allowed her to face and cope with the emotions she had suppressed during the actual events. “The first day after the storm passed, I ran into children huddled on the interstate that had been separated from their parents. I realized then, to work effectively, I had to shut down my emotions to deal with the situation.”
Writing the book was a moving process for Forman, who at times considered abandoning the project because of the pain and difficulty of recalling the events surrounding the storm. “I found it hard to go back, and it was a tough writing process, but ultimately it was cathartic,” says Forman. “I felt that if it could potentially help another municipality, organization or business, or even just one person, it was worth my time and effort.”
Taking Control of Her Story
Before she had even finished the manuscript, Forman was introduced to a literary agent and publisher, and had an open dialogue with them over several months. “They wanted me to develop the personal stories more, and wanted more opinion than I was comfortable providing,” says Forman. Refusing to alter her story to meet the publisher’s mold, Forman began to explore her publishing options.
Her creative writing teacher suggested she speak with an author who had published with AuthorHouse, and Forman began to consider self-publishing the book. “Once I looked into the self-publishing option, it became the answer; I suddenly realized I could completely control what I put into the book,” says Forman. “By self-publishing, I could write what I wanted and hold back where I wanted without having to reveal private stories that weren’t needed for the story. It was a perfect fit.”
Forman went through nearly 60 different edits, and each time the manuscript got a little more refined. “I loved every moment; I loved honing and getting to a better place with my writing,” says Forman. “With self-publishing there was no pressure on timelines, so I became engaged in the process.”
The entire writing process took about nine months: from the end of 2006, until Forman submitted the manuscript to AuthorHouse in July of 2007. Once she had finished the manuscript, Forman was eager to get the book out, especially with the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaching. She elected for a Rapid Release of the book, and after completing a conference call to discuss the design of the book and reviewing the galley and cover proof, Forman had copies of Eye of the Storm in hand within 30 days.
Getting the Story Out
Forman has had ample opportunity to promote the book through the media. “I’ve been surprised with the onslaught of media reports and interviews, and it has been another catharsis to go out and talk about the book and my experiences of living the story from the inside,” says Forman. “So many people had always wondered what was really going on in the city at the time.”
Since evacuees from the city wound up in 48 states, the inside account of what happened in City Hall during Katrina has become a story for local media across the country. “Most of the evacuees that loaded buses and planes didn’t know where they were going when they departed, adding to their emotional trauma,” remembers Forman. “The remarkable kindness of strangers in this country significantly came through where government failed.”
Forman plans to continue writing in the future, and is quick to share advice with other writers who want to tell their story. “Start by making an outline of what you believe your story is and fit your smaller stories within the outline, so you have an idea of what the manuscript may look like,” says Forman. She also emphasizes those who helped her along the way. “Talk to writers and listen to their observations about you and your story,” she says. “I listened to advice and stayed open, and I feel like I ended up exactly where I wanted to be with this book.”
