Yesterday I was part of a panel for my local RWA chapter, LARA, for authors who saw their first full-length book be released this year. Five of us – and, interestingly, only one had opted to “go traditional,” with Harlequin; the rest of us indie-pubbed.

Aaaand it was at my favorite independent bookstore, The Ripped Bodice.

As you can see, I dressed for the occasion.

So in preparation for the discussion, I did this online interview. Some of which answers I totally forgot, so I made up new ones, lol. But I thought I’d recycle and build on them a little bit.

How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing since I was a teenager, if not well. Been writing books since my thirties.

What got you interested in writing as a career? Writing lights me up; when I find that perfect sentence, or paragraph even, it’s like the clouds part, a beam of light streams down, and the angels sing.

What was your most satisfying professional experience? Recently one of my friends told me how much he enjoyed this memoir I released. According to him, it made him laugh, cry, and gave him a boner.  Who can ask for a better response?

What was the most surprising thing you’ve learned in your professional life? That people REwrote. That they wrote first and second, and seventeenth drafts. For whatever reason, that part of writing totally escaped me, the first few years. I would write something, and upon rereading it, decide it was crap (which it was) and threw it away. Now it’s still crap, but I accept I’m going to have to edit and rewrite.

Do you have a book that you read over and over? If yes, what is it? If no, why do you suppose not? Gone With the Wind. Although there are many things about it that are hugely problematic *cough* racism *cough*, dubious consent *cough*, Scarlett O’Hara is an unforgettable, and many would say, unlikable character. However, the skill of writing from her POV, while cluing the reader in to all the things that Scarlett is oblivious to, is brilliant. Also, Anne of Green Gables.

What one word would you use to describe yourself? Ambitious.

I expanded on that a little bit, when we discussed. I am ambitious; I want to change the world. I want to write things that make people laugh, cry, and come away from my work changed.  To be a little kinder, a little more open minded, and little more willing to accept people who don’t look like them, worship like them, have the same privileges they do.

That’s my ambition.

Mind you, making a few bucks would be okay, too.

What’s your ambition?
What was the best or worst thing about sitting on a panel, for you?
Your thoughts?