Release Week, Release Week: Interview by My Loved Ones, Part 1

If you've got kids, you'll know what I mean when I say the Little Leaf doesn't fall far from the tree. My husband and I are writers (though he works for "The Man") and big readers/book lovers. So one day they all sat down with my BFF, SweetBrownPoison, to prepare an interview for me to complete at my leisure. Where was I? I don't remember. I'd like to say I was dusting knick-knacks and baking cookies, but I think I was writing (Five15AintPretty).

So here is Part 1 of their interview and my answers:

1) LL#2: Has anyone written about your book before?
Many ways to interpret this question, but I'm going with: Has anyone written about the flood before? My answer is yes. In fact, there's a list of books for further reading in the backmatter of 3RR. (And I'm sure there are others I've missed.) I think she's asking if there is other fiction, so I'll mention The Terrible Wave by Marden Dahlstedt and The Day It Rained Forever by Virginia Gross. Adults will enjoy In Sunlight, in a Beautiful Garden: A Novel by Kathleen Cambor.

2) LL#1: How many books do you have in mind?
I have at least four manuscripts/partials in the air right now. So that means four ideas in the process of fleshing out. I have a very clear idea for an additional story, but I'd like to travel to the setting first...so that could be a ways off. No lack of book ideas here, just the time it takes to write them!

3) My Old Man: When can I give my notice? (No pressure.)
AAAAHHHH...hahahaha! My husband is well known for his sense of humor. This is not a quick-money kind of business. Especially when you write as slowly as I do! Maybe he can give his notice when he's 65...or 75.

4) LL#2: How many books have you written so far?
Three Rivers Rising is my first. I have another fairly developed manuscript, if you want to call that "a book."

5) LL#1: Where do you live?
Interesting that my own child would ask this---she's putting herself in the shoes of an interviewer. My cagey answer is "Hopefully, most of the day, I live in my imagination." That means I'm getting a lot of writing done, and those are the best days.

6) My Old Man: How much do you weigh?
LL#1: That's unpolite!

7) LL#2: How are you going to celebrate when your book comes out?
Oops, this already went by, but I'll pretend it didn't: How about I take my taxes to the post office, then drive you and your friend to baseball, then we can go to our new favorite restaurant and Game Stop afterwards? (It should be a special day for everybody, shouldn't it?)

8) LL#1: What's your next book idea?
Wow, these are really good questions---how'd you guys get so smart? Well, as I mentioned, I do have several projects in motion at the same time, but the one that is in the day-to-day development phase is a manor-house kind of story with a fanciful main character. I don't want to jinx it by saying too much, but it is very different from my previous projects.

9) SBP: What's your favorite food?
This is tricky. Food in general is my favorite food---I like everything. Except beets. I love combinations like brownies with potato chips. I love batter, esp. cookie dough. I love diet cola and hazelnut coffee, both brand loyal though. This is gonna sound crazy, but I love condiments---I cannot be trusted around mayonnaise---and fresh herbs. I think my number one love is french fries, though. Wow, sounds like all junk food, not setting a good example for my kids here. I also love avocado, mango, arugula, and roasted brussel sprouts.

10) LL#2: What goes on in your wold (sic)?
This one is handwritten by LL#2. What does she mean? She lives with me! I think my life must be somewhat mysterious to them: how is it that I stay home all day and yet no laundry gets folded, no groceries appear, etc? Writing, correspondence, time for exercise, maybe a shower---it's all gonna get even crazier now that the book is out!

I'll pick it up with number 11 next time. Tomorrow's the last day to vote on a limerick! Thanks for celebrating my Release Week with me!