As is no doubt perfectly obvious, I've gotten out of my blogosphere groove. My ventures into it have been rather sporadic since I took on the writing challenge, but I'm trying to change that, beginning now. Back in February (!!!), Lucy was interviewed by a fellow blogger, and at the end of the interview, offered to interview anyone else who was interested. I was interested. She sent me a list of five very thoughtful questions, and there they sat in my in-box. For weeks. Ahem.
So here it goes:
1. i have really enjoyed watching your writing goals meter moving. where and when did your love of writing begin? is the piece you are working on fiction or non-fiction? why have you chosen that genre?
My love of writing began back in elementary school. When I was about eleven, I started writing stories about a little girl named Constance, who was remarkably like me. I caught the bug and from that moment, I knew I wanted to be a writer. My current piece is fiction—as is all of my non-blog writing.
2. you know that i have lusted over "bella". tell me how she inspires you and what of yourself do you see in her.
When I look at her, I see a woman who has comfortably grown into herself. An authentic woman. She's not who I am, but who I want to be--at ease, exuberant, open, and obvious in her love and joy.
3. if you could snap your fingers and transport yourself to any place or time in the world, where/when would it be and why?
Generally speaking, I don't want to be anywhere or anytime but here, in my own home, with my boys and my cats. Everything I want is right here--I just want to make it even better. Having said that, however, I wouldn't mind being transported for a week to Mii amo, a wonderful-looking destination spa in Sedona, Arizona.
4. if you wrote a play about your life and it was performed who would you want to play the leading lady?
Can I play me? I've always had a hankering to be an actress. Okay, okay...let me think...Juliette Binoche? Okay, I'm not French, stylish or classy...maybe Patricia Arquette?...I've been liking her more and more...oh, I know--Toni Collette--having done Muriel's Wedding, she could totally do me.
5. you have such a sweet relationship with your son. what words of wisdom would you give to a new mother?
Enjoy every single moment, because it goes by so fast. Yes, you’ve heard that before—but engrave it into your brain, because it is heartbreakingly true. As you sit on your couch, holding your sleeping infant because he refuses to be put down in his bassinet, and you think that you'll go mad because you've not had a single second to yourself to even pee, let alone time for a shower and breakfast, ignore the discomfort. Smell his hair and nibble his tasty little toes. Listen to the sound of his breathing and slip your finger into his hand, feeling him clutch it with his tiny fist. Bask in the knowledge that as far as he is concerned, there is no "I" and "You." There is only "Us."
However, I've got some other advice, too: Don't allow the heartache of what's gone rob you of the pleasure in the now. Every stage, every age, every day brings its own joy. Yes, I miss Nathan's baby-self, but I'm really having fun with the little boy who tells me knock-knock jokes that make absolutely no sense and draws pictures of the two of us, stick figures with a heart in between. It truly is all good.
Now then, if anyone out there would like to be interviewed by me, let me know in a comment or email. I'll do my best to come up with some thought-provoking questions.