INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR, FEATHER SCHWARTZ FOSTER
Hi Feather, thanks for letting us take a peek into your world. Would you tell us a little about yourself?
A. You can hunt me up at www.authorsden.com/featherschwartzfoster and find out about me and my recent book, "LADIES: A Conjecture of Personalities". It's about the First Ladies, Martha thru Mamie. The old gals each write their own chapters, and everyone (including the modern FLs) chimes in with commentary. It's an entertainment, not a tome.
I have also just completed my second novel, "GARFIELD'S TRAIN" and it is presently under consideration. More on this will follow, once there is news to tell! (Keep your fingers crossed for me, please!)
Q. How long have you been writing? What made you put that first story down on paper?
A. I'm not going to divulge my age; suffice to say that I have been writing since I was 10 or so - mostly songs and children's shows. But I have also been an amateur (non-academic) presidential historian for more than (ahem) 35 years, with a very substantial thousand-plus volume personal library about the presidents, and decided to combine my hobby with my craft. Why not?
Q. Have you been published? Yes. What was the first story? "LADIES: A Conjecture,,," is my first book. Where was it published? PublishAmerica How long did it take? Within a month of submission. What was the process? A few emails back and forth for their parameters. How easy was it finding a publisher? Not hard on line.
Q. Do you write in a particular genre?
Historical novels.
Q. Who's your favorite author and why?
A. Too many to list, and I change favorites with every new book I love!
Q. How did you deal with rejection letters, if you received any? Press on, my dear, press on.
Q. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?
A. A good command of the English language. Getting to the point in every sentence.
Maintaining the readers interest.
Q. How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
A. Actually, I start writing, and let the characters take it from there. Since I usually deal with real people (dead, but real), they have a pretty good idea where they want to go.
Q. Do you have a favorite writing link you'd like to share?
Not really.
Q. What do you do to unwind and relax?
A. I am a pianist. That pretty much speaks for itself.
Q. What does your family feel about your writing? They all think I am a pretty fair writer and are VERY supportive! Are they supportive?
Q. What inspires you? Who inspires you?
A. My best inspiration comes from somebody dangling a check in front of my nose! (Ask any writer. They'll all be inspired by demand! If that doesn't happen, I write badly until my muse awakens.
Q. Are you working on any projects right now?
A. I have just completed "GARFIELD'S TRAIN" - about the old President, not the cat - and it is currently under consideration. I am starting to do some research on my next book, but it will take a while.
Q. How do you handle Writer's Block?
A. I write badly until my muse awakens, like I said before. She is a sleepy Muse!!
Q. What is most frustrating about writing?
Waking the Muse. (I think she gets sleepier the older I get. When I was younger, she never slept!) Most rewarding? Feedback from my audience/readers.
Q. Do you have any kind of writing schedule? Alas, no. I wish I could be that disciplined! I need to be flogged!
Q. What is the best piece of advice you've been given as a writer?
A. Brevity is the soul of wit (George Bernard Shaw). I try to write short. Every word in the sentence must count for something. If it isn't important, it gets cut.
What's the worst?
A. Write what you feel. That may work for some people, but not me. My thoughts are more interesting than my feelings.
Q. If I were sitting down to write my very first story, what would your advice be?
Know what you want to write about. PS - Easier said than done!
Q. What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Make sure you can write a decent English sentence. Too many writers can't.
Q. Any last comments or advice?
Writing, like playing the piano or playing bridge or playing tennis, is a craft that can be continually improved. Work to improve yourself. Take courses if you need to. Attend workshops if they are available. Learn to be a good critic of your own work.
Don't be afraid to cut out even your best sentences or your funniest lines or cleverest verse. Once you write it, it is written; you can't un-write it. But if it doesn't work in the context you're using, let it go. You can always use it elsewhere or dressed in other clothing.
Thanks for taking the time to do the interview. Thanks for the opportunity!
