What is your favorite childhood memory?
I have so many, but one highlight was going on safari with my family which included Amboseli National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. We were on holiday from Ethiopia and our grandparents from the U.S. joined us. This was in the late 1960’s and this was the inspiration for the illustrations in Teeny! Tiny! Mini Monkey!
What was your childhood ambition?
To prove a girl could be anything she chose to be. At one time I told my family I wanted to be the first woman President of the United States. I did not pursue this path. But I did pursue math and worked in a male dominated profession for a career.
Why did you choose the Historical Fiction genre?
I had a story based on true events which could only be told and understood in the context of the time and place. The research required was challenging but fascinating and I learned a lot writing the book. Readers have told me they learned much about the historical period as well.
What are some must-have snacks or other items when you sit down for a long writing session (be it cookies, tea, coffee, a notebook for scribbling, etc)?
to have my dog or dogs at my feet or in my chair behind me. Also visuals to inspire me. Writing with a view of Lake Superior inspires me and I often write scenes in my head as I hike with the dogs on the trails along the shore.
What was your inspiration to write the book, "Teeny! Tiny! Mini Monkey!"?
I grew up in Ethiopia as a Third Culture Kid (TCK). I learned to appreciate that we are all different, and our differences make us special. Yet I was sad when the older kids patted me on the head and called me a “little punky.” My hope is that the book will give parents and teachers and children the opportunity to discuss diversity and inclusion and affirm that each child is special and unique and our differences should be celebrated and not a reason for exclusion.
Which was your first book ever to be published and how have you grown as a writer ever since?
My first published book was Thy Father’s Will. I have grown as a writer as I explore other genres, including children’s books and memoir.
Do you remember the first piece of writing you ever wrote? What was it about?
Some of my first memories are writing stories for my younger brother and sister. Years later, I wrote a prose piece as a high school senior about a farmer reminiscing as he walks around his farmstead for the last time before leaving after he has sold it. My grandparents farm was the one place that was constant during my life, and it was traumatic for me when they sold it and moved away. The piece was published in our annual school literary magazine and I was later told my prose piece won an award. It was a very personal piece and I was surprised it resonated and touched people were not family or came from different backgrounds.
What is "Thy Father's Will" about?
It is based on the heart-breaking true story of my great-grandfather, who was a loving father who made decisions for his children with the best intentions but which had tragic consequences. It takes place in the early 20th century. My great-grandfather committed suicide, which was a family secret. What could have driven a successful businessman and loving father to take his life? I found the answer to the question in family letters and felt driven to write the story to better understand my grandmother, my father and myself. I found the history of the period and the people fascinating. “Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.” Soren Kirkegaard.
When you write, what keeps you focused and motivated?
Even though the writing is your passion, do you ever find yourself procrastinating sometimes?
What keeps me focused is the passion and drive to tell a story. I procrastinate when I feel I am writing for someone else and not from my heart.
What according to you are the key ingredients of a successful book?
One that is well written and takes the reader to another time or place or point of view and opens the readers mind and heart.
How do you maintain that equilibrium between writing what you want and what your readers want?
This is a great question. My readers wanted a different ending to Thy Father’s Will but I remained true to what happened. The purpose of the writing the story, which was a family secret for generations, was to answer the question why it ended the way it did and what happened to drive my great-grandfather to do what he did. I find the equilibrium in writing a memoir even more challenging.
Where do you see yourself as a writer in five years? What are some goals you hope to accomplish by then?
In 5 years I hope to have written and published some additional children’s books and to have written my memoir, whether I choose to publish or not.
When are you most satisfied with a book or piece of writing? Do you often edit things OUT of your books?
I do not usually edit things out. I usually edit to add scenes or expand what I have written to better understand the character.
What are you currently working on?
I am working on my memoir and there are some other books formulating in my head.
How were you first introduced to AllAuthor?
My publisher. Do you have any feedback? Impressed by the personal response from you.
