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'Double Exposure'
With Susan Ford, Author & First Daughter
Monday, April 8, 2002; 4 p.m. EDT
In her debut book "Double Exposure" Susan Ford, the daughter of President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford, uses her first hand experience to tell the fictional story of a mysterious death in the White House. Like Ford herself the heroine of the novel, Eve Cooper, is both a photographer and First Daughter.
Ford was online to discuss her new book, her career and her life in the White House.
The transcript follows.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Susan Ford: Good afternoon. I am glad to see that I have some questions and interest. Wish I was in D.C., but I will be there tonight.
Alexandria, Va.:
When your father lost in 1976 were you happy or sad?
Susan Ford: Both -- sad because we had worked so hard and felt we deserved four years to finish what my dad had started. It was also the first election he had ever lost. But I was also happy to be getting out of the fishbowl.
Pennsylvania:
Who was the disciplinarian in your family?
Susan Ford: My mother was the majority of the time because she was the more constant parent that was home on a 24-hour basis -- with my dad being a Congressmen he traveled a lot. But when he said the words "I am really disappointed in you" you knew you were in trouble.
Harrisburg, Pa.:
What inspired you to write mystery? When living in the White House, did you ever think: this would make a nice place for a mystery? Or did this inspiration come after you left the White House?
Susan Ford: First I think living in the White House when you see all the history in it - to me it is a an easy mystery. If the walls could talk wouldn't we all love to know what they had to say. And of course it would make a wonderful place for a mystery. This book is fiction, it is a fun read. As far as the inspiration, I have always thought of writing a book and it is always obvious as a daughter of a former president to do so. For a while I didn't know if I would or what sort of book it would be -- the timing was right.
Washington, D.C.:
Does your book's story take place in the 70's? Does it have anything to do with your personal experiences?
Susan Ford: No it does not. It would be modern day because e-mail is involved.
Pennsylvania:
Have you ever included any ghosts in your writing? When you were in the White House, did you ever see any of the fabled White House ghosts? Or, do you think those ghost stories are just that: stories?
Susan Ford: The only thing it might have to do with is that the president's daughter is a photojournalist - which I studied in in college. That would be the closest similarity. Read the book.
Susan Ford:
In response to the last question -- no ghosts in the book.
I never saw any ghosts in the White House. I did sleep in the Lincoln bedroom where there was a reported ghost and the last night before I went off to college my mom did wake me up with a sheet over her pretending to be one though.
I have nothing to base my opinion on anything except for the fact that I never saw any ghosts, so I think so.
Baltimore, Md.:
How are your parents doing? Whenever I look back on that dark day in August 1974, when he assumed the presidency, I marvel about how lucky we were to have such an outstanding couple in the White House help guide and inspire us. And, of course, behind any set of successful parents, you will find an equally wonderful set of children, right?
Susan Ford: My parents are doing beautifully. Today is my mother's 84th birthday. Their health is very good. They are beginning to slow down and enjoy life a little bit. Thank you for considering me a wonderful person. (laughing)
Fairfax, Va.:
I read "First Counsel" by Brad Meltzer recently, which was the story of a relationship between a White House lawyer and the First Daughter. He listed a former FD as a source, but didn't say whom. Now that you're coming out with your own book ... was it you? Perhaps a little trading of experiences was made?
Susan Ford: No I was not the source for First Council. I have read a third of the book. It is very different from our book. His is much more intense. Our is more fun.
I don't know who his former FD source was.
Silver Spring, Md.:
You mentioned that you were glad to be getting out of the "fishbowl." What exactly was your least favorite aspect day-to-day life in the White House; and what was your favorite?
Susan Ford: My least favorite was going to school and class. My favorite was sleeping.
My favorite also was getting to know some of the truly fascinating people who worked there and visitors such as heads of state, celebrities , stars, etc. Those were the advantages.
Washington, D.C.:
How old were you when your father was president, and how old is the heroine in the novel?
Susan Ford:
I was 17. The heroine was 25. I was a senior is high school when my father was in the white house. My heroin is in grad school.
Silver Spring, Md.:
Have you read "The First Counsel," Brad Meltzer's recent novel about a First Daughter? If so, what did you think about it and the portrayal of life as First Daughter?
Susan Ford: I have read a third of it - have not finished it.
Found it very hard to believe.
Washington, D.C.:
You seem to have had such a normal life for a White House kid (no recent spats like the Nixon sisters, no public dysfunction like the Reagan kids). What made you turn out the way you did?
Susan Ford: My parents who are wonderful, upstanding, normal human beings. But we weren't perfect either.
Washington, D.C.:
Whare do you live now? How old are your kids? Have they expressed any interest in politics?
Susan Ford: I live outside of Alburqurque, New Mexico. I have two daughters who are 19 and 21 and three stepsons who are 24, 26 and 32. None of them have expressed any interest in politics at all.
Washington, D.C.:
How have the reviews for the book been? Have the critics been kind to you?
Susan Ford: Reviews have been fine. Comments have been "enjoyed the view from the inside out." The critics have been kind, but I never expected this to be on the New York Times bestseller list. It is a fun book.
Los Angeles, Calif.:
I know you wrote the book with a co-writer. Could you comment on that process?
Susan Ford: It made it very easy since my training is not as a writer but as a photo-journalist. I was able to let my imagination run without worrying about dotting the "I"s and crossing the "T"s.
Washington, D.C.:
The first Internet email was in 1969/1970 in DARPA (used to be ARPANET).
Susan Ford: Thank you for the info.
Harrisburg, Pa.:
What type of photographs do you do? Where may we see your photographs? Have you had your work published?
Susan Ford: Don't do photography any more. I was a news photographer. I worked for a number of newspapers including the Topeka Capitol Journal, The Omaha Sun, AP, Money Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, Newsweek and a lot of freelance work.
The photos are at home in my files.
You might be able to see some of my photographs at the Gerald Ford Library in Michigan.
Virginia:
Which is harder, writing the book or getting it published?
Susan Ford: About equal. It is a much longer process than I ever expected.
Politicalworld:
What are your thoughts on the decision of your father to pardon Richard Nixon?
Susan Ford: He absolutely made the right decision then and I truly believe it is the right decision now. The country needed to focus on more important things. He was one individual and there was a nation out there that needed to be taken care of.
Arlington, Va.:
Is this your first book?
Susan Ford: Yes it is. Enjoy.
We are working on a very rough draft of book two.
Washington, D.C.:
What kinds of books do you like to read? Any recent favorites?
Susan Ford: My favorite book ever is "Beaches" by Pat Conroy. Recent enjoyed "Bend in the Road" by Nicholas Sparks. Listening to "Daughters of Fortune." I liked Dean Koontz's "False Memory."
Washington, D.C.:
Who did most of the writing of the book? You or the co-author... and have your folks read it? What do they think?
Susan Ford: My parents are reading it now. They have not commented yet. I would say that the co-author did most of the writing since that is not my profession.
Washington, D.C.:
Do people recognize you on the street? Compared to someone like Caroline Kennedy, the public has seen little of you since you left the White House. Can you go to the supermarket by yourself without being followed by the press?
Susan Ford: People do not recognize me on the street. I live a very quiet lifestyle. I can go to the supermarket in my sweats and tee-shirt and no-one knows who I am. I am better known as the mother of my children.
Washington, D.C.:
Could we read an excerpt of the book online?
Susan Ford: To date the book or any portion is not online that I am aware of.
Susan Ford: Thank you all for your interest and hope to see you when I am on tour.
I will be at Books-a-Million at Dupont Circle at 6 p.m. for a signing.
I will also be on Good Morning America Wednesday morning.
washingtonpost.com:
That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
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