Questions for the Meet and Greet
- Where do you write?
I’m lucky to have a nice, orange (yes, orange…) writing office. It’s my writing sanctuary, where I have my desk, dry-erase board, bookshelf, and incense! But I don’t always write there. My other writing space is actually at a local Starbucks. Or anywhere. I’ve been known to take my laptop to doctor appointments and sit in the waiting room… writing. - Quick. Go to your writing space, sit down and look to your left. What is the first thing you see?
Nothing too exciting. A closet. But between my desk and the closet door is a magazine holder where I have Poets & Writers Magazine, SCBWI bulletins, and other magazines. - Favorite time to write?
If I had a choice, daytime hours when my mind is still working but I’ve woken up! But I’ll also write early in the morning or late at night, when everyone at home is asleep. - Drink of choice while writing?
Decaf or half-caf caramel macchiatto with extra foam. 🙂 - When writing , do you listen to music or do you need complete silence?
Music! I have a playlist for my story and anytime I want to think about, write or revise, I listen to it. Sometimes during revision, though, I need absolute quiet. - What was your inspiration for your latest manuscript and where did you find it?
The initial nugget came to me in a dream. It was one scene. As I started mulling over this dream, the characters, and where it was going, I realized much inspiration came from Dante’s Divine Comedy, as well as from my dad’s former background as priest. - What’s your most valuable writing tip?
Keep writing. If you want this enough, then you have no option but to keep going. When doubt settles in, push through it. Perseverance and patience will pay off.
Alexandra Alessandri 