Girls Rock: An Interview with Courtenay Stallings

"I knew how to wear a mask and keep a secret."       

In the spring of 2016 I wrote a piece on my blog called, Laura Walked With Me. It was basically a personal reflection piece on why I think I felt so connected to Twin Peaks and, particularly, to the character of Laura Palmer growing up. At the time I was very hesitant to post it, because I feared veering into anything too personal on this blog. However to my relief, people responded very positively about it and also shared similar connections. I can't say I was surprised to learn that the Laura phenomenon is still extremely powerful even all these years later, but I did feel a little less weird for my own continuing obsession. 

When I attended the Twin Peaks Festival the summer of 2016, I met the lovely and talented, Courtenay Stallings. I had wanted to talk to her about writing, Twin Peaks and working with the Red Room Podcast. I was incredibly flattered when she said she wanted to talk to me as well, specifically about being an aspiring female writer, my feelings about Laura Palmer and the piece I wrote. Her intelligence and enthusiasm for supporting other female writers really impressed me. Not to mention, her writing is excellent. Courtenay was kind enough to answer a few questions for this blog, and I think you will see from this interview just how talented she truly is. 

TPF:  When did you first discover Twin Peaks?

CS: I first discovered Twin Peaks in high school. I rarely watched TV at the time, so it’s amazing I ever caught an episode.

TPF: What appealed to you about the show the most?

CS: Initially, I loved the melodramatic soap-opera elements to the show, and, of course, the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer. What really sparked my interest was the surreal dream-like world of the Red Room. I’d never seen anything like it and certainly not on network TV.

TPF: Do you have a favorite storyline from the show and if so, why do you like it?

CS: Aside from the Laura Palmer investigation, the relationship between Dale Cooper and Audrey Horne always intrigued me. There’s this incredible camaraderie and romantic tension between the two characters. There was always the question of “will they or won’t they?” Now, I differ on my opinion from most people because I’m actually glad Audrey and Dale never consummated their relationship. Let me explain: Audrey was young (still in high school) and vulnerable. She was also connected to Laura Palmer and, therefore, the murder case, which would put Cooper in a conflict-of-interest situation. He could have easily taken advantage of Audrey when she shows up in his hotel room, but he doesn’t. Instead he suggests grabbing some malts and fries and invites Audrey to tell him all her troubles. In a world where men are preying upon young women, Cooper does not. This mattered to me when I saw it as a teenage girl. It matters still. I’m aware of the rumors that suggest Audrey and Cooper never got together because of real-life conflicts among the actors, but I don’t entertain those rumors, and, in the end, I appreciate how the story between Audrey and Dale unfolded. Still, I like to imagine that Audrey survived the bank explosion, became an FBI agent and is seeking to destroy BOB and find true love with Dale now that’s she’s a grown, independent woman. One can dream.

TPF: Who is your favorite character from TP and why?

CS: Laura Palmer is my favorite character, which is interesting because she is deceased for the entirely of the television show. Here’s the homecoming queen who is beautiful and seemingly perfect, but she’s filled with secrets. Laura appeals to me because her story is one of spiritual redemption –– she never allows BOB in and meets her guardian angel in the end.

TPF: Are you just a Twin Peaks fan or are you also a fan of David Lynch’s films?

CS: I’m a David Lynch fan. I even appreciate Inland Empire!

TPF: Do you have a favorite Lynch film? If so, what is it about this film that attracts you?

CS: My favorite Lynch film is “Wild at Heart.” While I don’t think it’s his “best” film as an auteur, I have a personal connection to it. I saw the movie when I was a teenager who, like Lula, had survived trauma and had mother issues (although my mother issues could not quite compare to hers). Lula’s journey on the yellow brick road with Sailor struck me. I loved the intensity of their relationship and passion for each other. “Wild at Heart” is this crazy wacked-out love story injected with some dark Lynchian storytelling. And, yet, it has a happy ending. I loved the film so much I even walked down the aisle to Elvis’ “Love Me Tender” on my wedding day.

TPF: What do you hope to see the most in Season 3 of Twin Peaks?

CS: I’d love to see more mystery. I also hope we make an entrance to the Red Room. My concern is too many loose ends being tied up. I worry that too many explanations –– especially of the more surreal aspects of the show –– will conflict with what my own imagination has conjured, and undermine the beautiful and eerie dream logic of the show.

TPF: As a woman, do you feel there is anything about Twin Peaks and/or Lynch’s work that ever seems misogynistic?

CS: Not at all. Lynch explores beautiful and complex women who confront trauma in his films. Some have argued he is obsessed with exploring the victimization of women, but I think he’s mirroring real life. Women face violence every day. His art explores this fact.

TPF: You recently interviewed me for your upcoming book about females in the fan community who have been influenced by Twin Peaks, particularly by the character of Laura Palmer. Thank you so much for that. I think your idea is terrific. I’m curious, what made you feel connected to Laura Palmer enough to want to write this book?

CS: There’s this quote I love by Robert Moss. He wrote: “Australian Aborigines say that the big stories –– the stories worth telling and retelling, the ones in which you may find the meaning of your life –– are forever stalking the right teller, sniffing and tracking like predators hunting their prey in the bush.” This book project has been stalking me for some time. Earlier this year, I came up with the idea of writing a book tentatively titled "Laura's Ghost: Women Speak About Twin Peaks," which would be a cultural study of women influenced by the show. There are so many fantastic women who are writing about and inspired by “Twin Peaks” –– including you. I’m in the process of interviewing and profiling women who are inspired by the show and writing about it or producing art inspired by it. The show’s given so many women an opportunity to explore their own complex and creative nature. I want to celebrate that. I want their voices to inspire and serve as an archive of this special moment in time.

At the 2013 University of Southern California Twin Peaks Retrospective, someone asked Mark Frost how he and David Lynch balanced the comedic with the serious on “Twin Peaks.” Frost quoted Joseph Campbell: “You have to embrace the joyful sorrows of life or else it will crush you.” This is the reason why “Twin Peaks” resonates with fans. It embraces the joyful sorrows of life. At its core, “Twin Peaks” is about a young woman full of life and possibilities whose life is cut short. She’s a victim of abuse and murdered in her prime. But she never allows the devil in. Even in the end she resists BOB. Laura Palmer is a heroine. I came up with the idea of “Laura’s Ghost” as an image and idea of how Laura Palmer both haunts and inspires women of all ages who pursue a higher calling of art in her name and memory.

Personally, when I saw Laura Palmer, I saw myself. I wasn’t the homecoming queen, but I knew how to wear a mask and keep a secret. And even though Laura never allowed BOB inside, she was damaged. Recently on Twitter, writer Roxane Gay wrote, “It's dangerous to tell women we have to endure trauma and come out virtuous and perfectly strong.” Laura Palmer was tough but she self-medicated through drugs, acted out and lived her trauma. Survivors can relate to that. She has inspired me. She still haunts me. Always will.

TPF: Since taking on this book project do you feel you’ve learned anything new about Laura Palmer and/or about the women who have been touched by her story?

CS: Laura Palmer was a survivor, a badass, unapologetically owned her womanhood, and gave back to the community through Meals on Wheels and tutoring. She’s a complicated superhero like Batman –– a survivor of childhood trauma who tried to use her powers for good whenever she could. I’m amazed at how each woman I’ve interviewed is so unique but has discovered some aspect of herself in the character of Laura. This is a testament to David Lynch, Mark Frost, Robert Engels, but especially to Jennifer Lynch, whose book “The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer” formed and informed the character and her backstory. More than anything, though, Sheryl Lee’s portrayal of Laura Palmer deserves all of the awards because Lee captured that complexity of character –– both the vulnerability and the superhuman strength.

TPF: How did you get involved with writing for the Red Room Podcast Blog?

CS: Something was in the air in December 2012. Twin Peaks was on my mind. I found out through his Twitter feed that Mark Frost would be discussing Twin Peaks at USC in January 2013. After scouring the Internet, I discovered USC was putting on a retrospective of the entire series complete with filmmakers, actors and crew. The first night in January 2013 featured Twin Peaks co-creator Mark Frost, Editor and Director Duwayne Dunham, Director of Photography Ron Garcia and Actor Grace Zabriskie (Sarah Palmer). After live-tweeting the event, Scott from the Red Room Podcast reached out to me on Twitter and asked if I’d write up the event. I ended up covering the entire retrospective. That January night, a whole world of Twin Peaks opened up to me. Little did I know that my Twitter connection to Scott would evolve into a friendship after many write-ups, podcasts and a couple of fests later. Scott and Josh (co-creators of the Red Room Podcast) have become my friends. They’re doing an amazing job creating a forum for serious discussion of TV and film while, at the same time, making it entertaining.

TPF: If you could ask David Lynch and Mark Frost one question, what would it be?

CS: I would ask them both “What does the character of Laura Palmer mean to you?” Since I’m exploring the idea of Laura’s ghost, I’d love to know how this character who began as a mysterious murder victim, evolved into this incredibly complex woman. Lynch and Frost created the murder victim Laura, but it was Jennifer Lynch who breathed so much life into her, and Sheryl Lee who perfected her. I wonder what Lynch and Frost think about this character who became transformed and transfigured –– even transcendent.

TPF: Thank you Courtenay for taking the time to do this interview, for being so passionate about supporting other women and for your insights on Laura. You can now preorder this book here ---> Laura's Ghost

Follow Courtenay on Twitter @CourtenayCal