Good morning, Carrie, and welcome to Vision and Verse. Can you tell us a little about what you‘ve written?
Whiskers Abroad: Audrey and Ashi’s Adventures in Japan.
Audrey has to take her cat Ashi with her to Japan. What can go wrong? It’s part travelogue, part magical realism, part guidebook, and all fun. If you love Japan, cats or travel, you will love this book. It’s a new genre, globetrotting cat diaries blended with travel guide to Japan.
What is your favorite genre to write?
Realistic fiction. I’m less about spy novels and sci-fi and more about every day sort of stuff. Although my latest book sure doesn’t reflect that at all, because a cat traveling to Japan and writing about it isn’t an every day occurrence. I guess I’m flexible.
Favorite food.
I could eat olives every day, at every meal. It goes great in pastas, salads, or with a glass of wine. I have yet to try it on ice cream but olives on pizza is lovely.
Tea or coffee?
Definitely coffee. There’s something about the smell of it drifting through the air. It reminds me of when I stayed over at my grandparents’ house as a kid and woke up to the smell of coffee brewing. I’d sit at the kitchen table as my grandfather (I called him Peepaw) drank his coffee. He once offered me a sip, and excitedly, I accepted. I was crossing over from kid status to adult status! The shock that washed over me from the bitterness still stays with me today. I was so disappointed I didn’t like it. Fast forward several years, and I love the taste of coffee now.
Pizza or ice cream?
Pizza! I can’t resist warm, cheese pizza. It can be thin crust, medium crust, or even thick. It’s all so delicious.
Where would you like to visit?
There’s so many places it’s hard to say. It can be simple, like the bird sanctuary over by my house that somehow I’ve never visited to the exotic and far away beaches of Seychelles. Although I think my next trip will be Taihiti in the summer so I can witness the amazing Heiva I Tahiti, a large multi-day event that has dance competitions with hundreds of people moving in unison music, singing contests, and more. It’s breath-taking to watch on Youtube. I can’t imagine what it would be like in person.
Favorite musical artist. Do you listen to music when you write? What?
I am a huge fan of The Cars. They do a fantastic job of blending keyboards with guitars, and making music you want to dance. Plus, I play keyboards in an 80’s cover band, Molly and the Ringwalds. How can I not have The Cars be my favorite band? But when I write, I need something in the background that is either instrumental or sung in a language I don’t understand, so I won’t get distracted with singing along.
What makes you laugh?
Dumb, silly things. Absurd events. Will Ferrell. My favorite SNL skit is Space Pants. Although I believe the actual title of the skit was Mafia Meeting. Begin transmission!
How old were you when you started writing?
I started writing short stories in the third grade about two best friends trying to solve mysteries. Somehow, they’d end up getting knocked unconscious and then discover it was all one big misunderstanding. Yes, it was lame, but to a 9 year old, super exciting.
Describe your perfect evening.
Nothing beats hanging out with friends and having laughter fill the room. It’s even better if there’s delicious food involved and maybe some spontaneous dancing at the end of the evening. Perfecto.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Every day life. There’s so many weird and unusual things happening right before our eyes like how my office building puts up the electronic signs/notices two days after the events or how all the pigeons at my work building look the same direction in the morning. A good example was I looked at a zen garden and thought, it looks like a large cat box, which then in turn inspired one of the chapters of Whiskers Abroad.
What do you do when you get a writer's block?
You plow through it. You take a deep breath, and make a decision. Writer’s block isn’t about being uninspired, it’s about being indecisive. Make a choice and go with it. That’s what I do. Rewrites can save it if it’s terrible.
Who is your favorite author?
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed everything written by Amy Tan. First, I take in the narrative. Then I give it a second read to pay attention on how she constructs her sentences and structures the story outline. It really is wonderful writing.
Best book you ever read.
The Bonesetter’s Daughter by Amy Tan. It’s an intriguing tale with complex personal relationships and dealing with aging parents. Plus, she does an amazing job of letting the reader know more than the characters, and you find yourself telling the characters to watch out. The first time I read the book was in one setting. I could not stop reading it. At the time, I played bagpipes for the Houston Police department. We had practice that Tuesday evening but I got there and sat in the corner until I finished my book. Maybe not the most professional musican approach I could have taken, but it demonstrates how engaged I was with the novel.
Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why?
My uncle. He was literally there the day I was born, and I was there the day he died. He was involved in my life from the get-go. He taught me how to play the piano. He took me to my first musical. He introduced me to pop music and to Kraftwerk. He told me not to be ashamed of who I am, what I like, or what I do with my life. Those words stick with me.
If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why?
Jacques Pepin, the most amazing Chef! I can only imagine that he has amazing stories. It would be even better talking to him if he cooks dinner, and we get to eat together. Even without food, I would love to hear his heartfelt advice and tips.
What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer?
Be consistent. Keep writing. It doesn’t have to be copious amounts, two sentences a day works. No, seriously, it does.
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