I've just had my first live interview as an author... (dramatic pause) ...Three 12 year old pupils at my school interviewed me for their class news sheet. They asked searching questions about why I write, and where I find my inspiration. Then they set off armed with questions for one of the cleaners. ("Are you happy with what you earn here?" - oh, the innocence of youth!) "We tried to interview her yesterday, Miss, but she was too busy to see us. "
Cut Short was featured on the Bookroast on 30th April. Thank you to everyone who visited and commented.
49 comments:
And is she? The cleaner I mean. Hard work that is. I hope your school appreciates them.
Where exactly do you teach Leigh?
Our cleaners are lovely, underpaid, overworked - just like teachers. I doubt if they're appreciated. Like teachers.
Where exactly do I teach? Think Hogwarts without the magic and you won't be far off!
Congratulations! on your book, and your interview - how fun.
Yes, Care. I am having fun. (Don't tell my publisher. I'm supposed to be taking all this very seriously but I'm enjoying myself too much. I intend to continue having fun, so I have no intention of reading any reviews - but will no doubt read them all. Gulp.)
*Laugh* Sounds like a lot of fun. Kind of neat too.
I never thought of myself as 'neat', Charles, but I think the word has a different meaning in the USA. I'm not sure I fit that description either... but thank you for the compliment. Sadly, life is all too serious all too often - I'm allowed a little fun now and again, according to the rules (my rules, that is).
By the way, Monique - most of the cleaners are men.
Really? Why??? Boys only school?
No, Monique, it's a co-ed school. And why not? Equality has to work every which way, doesn't it? Back to more serious matters than real life - I hope you're working on your film script for my book. Who shall we cast? Have you made a short list of actors to play the evil killer? (What's that? You haven't read the book yet? Don't worry. Remember, we're making our film in Hollywood...)
Lol! The kids have their priorities a bit skewered.
Hogwarts without the magic ... hmm ... Teacher of the dark arts?
Dark arts, Aggie - very appropriate!
Where did you get your inspiration, it sounds like a pretty bloody tale? And while I'm in questioning mode: are you happy with what you earn?
Even though I haven't read the book yet, obviously, I'm thinking Nicole Kidman for the lead.
OK, Eryl, we'll put Nicole Kidman on the shortlist, but don't tell her yet. I'd hate her to turn down all other offers, only to hear that we've cast Cate Blanchett or Julia Roberts. And do we want Kiefer Sutherland or Johnny Depp?
I'm beginning to feel as though I haven't read the book yet, Eryl, and I wrote it!
Sounds like you will be Miss Cool and earning lots of street cred points! I miss teaching, not the paperwork but just the way the minds work in those that will one day lead us!
Great though, have fun and enjoy the ride, why not you did the hard part already!
Not sure that the minds I teach will one day lead us, Mel. Mind you, considering our politicians, the kids would probably do a better job.
The Bookroast are kindly hosting a discussion about Cut Short today!
You are welcome to come over and join in. Just google Bookroast and you should find it easily. Hope to see you there.
I would go to watch anything that had Johnny Depp in it.
You can be the casting director, Eryl. You may have to audition the actors...
lol... just laughing at all the Qs and your answers :O
a less known actress may be a better fit, however there's the 'draw' angle... but do go with fellow canuck, sutherland ;)
I think it might have to be Kiefer Sutherland, if I take up some of the suggestions on the Bookroast for extorting information from suspects, laughingwolf.
we canuckleheads do have our ways, leigh ;) lol
Take a look in the mirror, laughing wolf. You'd only have to growl and any villain would confess before you had time to bare your teeth. You may well laugh...
i do laugh, leigh... part of my NAME ;) lol
Good name.
I enjoy your blog Leigh-I have also been enjoying reading the comments and your answers. I so agree about the cleaners and the teachers. Also in the US it is hard to make people understand that in some nations teaching is a very respectable and honored career-not that it isn't anyway-but teachers in some nations are paid what they are worth-sadly this is probably not the case with most-still hoping to get ahold of your book soon-all the best to you!!
Congrats on the book. Good cover. (Please don't say that I shouldn't judge a book...)
:-)
Hi Dev - sadly the lack of respect seems to be growing everywhere in our society. Not only teachers, but police, doctors, etc - no one seems to have much respect for anyone these days. Only money is valued. It's a sad state of affairs.
Thanks for your support, Dev. I look forward to reading what you think of Cut Short. It's only a month now until publication.
Hi Rod and welcome to my blog. I'm glad you like the cover of Cut Short. I think it's memorable, but can't take any credit for it. The publisher commissioned a designer and I was consulted when the it was too late to change it. If I sound a little miffed, I assure you I'm not. I had various ideas of what I thought I might like, but the publisher had her eye on what might appeal to readers and bookshops. As I've said before, there's no point in the publisher trying to 'sell' the book to me! Bookshops, readers, YOU, are the people who matter from now on.
Cleaners are the only people who ACTUALLY know what's going on in a school!
hi leigh, honored to have won a copy!
my email: sinner1man@gmail.com
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And the porter, sleepy. The higher up the hierarchy you go, the less people really know what's going on, because no one dares tell them the truth. I suppose it's the same in politics. But those guys are just running the country...
A signed copy will be coming your way next month, laughing wolf. I received your email and have it safely stored in my 'send copy' folder. (I know what I mean).
Next month...
Congrats on the interview and on the book! That's super awesome :)
I love reading the blogs of authors who have "made it" from pre-published to "real-life writer", as my niece calls it. You are an inspiration!
Thanks, Lauren. I don't feel any different...
I've just noticed I have 13 followers on my blog. I'm not quite sure how that works, but thank you to the fabulous 13.
The interview sounds like a blast! How exciting!
thx leigh...
like any old dog, ol wuffs go from pillar to post, sniffing out points of interest ;) lol
13 is a great number, son was born on 13th... not to diminish both girls' birth dates, just that he was born last....
Hey, any kind of publicity is great!
Congratulations on having your book published. That is such an accomplishment!
(thanks for visiting my blog)
Many, many congratulations on getting your book published. I'll look for it on Amazon this summer and that may help you stay in writing land a little longer and away from Hogwarts WO Magic.
Hi pjhoover - Yes, the interview was fun, and the children asked some interesting questions, like:
How long have you been writing?
Where do you find your inspiration?
Did you always want to be a teacher?
(and, inevitably,) Why do you like purple?
Beth - any kind of publicity is great - I'll remember that when I'm reading reviews... Thank you for visiting and for your supportive comments.
Hi Susan - writing land is much more fun than Hogwarts. Unfortunately, I can't work real magic and give up my day job! (zap those bills with a magic spell... no, the doormat's still piled high with unwelcome envelopes...)
I am so excited for you! I can not imagine how rewarding it must feel to have a book published! I can not wait to buy my copy and I shall def be emailing you.
Hi World - lovely to hear from you, and thank you for sharing my excitement. You've been my blogbuddy for a long time.
Bless them, those students of yours. I hope the cleaner gave them a good answer. I love the fact that they are asking a lot of people this question, too -- and I wish the kids in my class had the same spirit of eager interest.
They are quite a lively bunch, Mary. Not quite so eager when it comes to sitting down and working, but very personable and nothing like the pupils in a scene in Cut Short...
Congratulations on getting your book published. I wish you success with it. Now I'm gonna look through your Blog and see how I can get mine published!
Blessings, Star
Hi there Star and thank you for visiting. My best advice is: work hard on your writing and be lucky in finding a publisher... I think a lot of it is just that, luck. So good luck to you and please keep in touch.
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