1. Glenda, you mentioned you were forming Florida Writers Association, Inc. Do tell more! What is it all about, and how can people join? etc.
You've touched on something very dear to my heart now. Florida has many
wonderful local writer's groups, but there isn't a statewide support network that can keep all Florida writers informed of important issues and events. As a result, many writers are left out due to lack of information about what's going on in their own state. Florida Writers Association, Inc. is a nonprofit organization designed specifically for the needs of writers who live in Florida.
I live in Jacksonville, and for obvious reasons, this will be the headquarters. However, Chapters will be spread throughout the state. Each Chapter will have a Director and meetings will be held at least once a month at those locales. A very in- depth, monthly newsletter will be sent to each member highlighting writer related events all over Florida.
Now, this is the part that's really exciting ... Once a year the association will host a Festival to be held in the center of the state, making traveling relatively easy for each member. We'll have three glorious days of meeting each other, attending workshops, as well as meeting agents, publishers and screen writers. There is a definite need in Florida for this type of close contact for writers, especially since so many of us are promoting our own books. Complete details about the new Florida Writers Association, Inc. can be found at www.FloridaWriters.net or by writing to me, Glenda Ivey, at FlaWritersAssn@aol.com or visit our website at: www.FloridaWriters.net
2. On your homepage, you say that some of your favorite people are the
characters you create. How do you create such vivid and memorable people?
Thank you, that's a wonderful compliment. I don't have a problem giving my characters distinct personalities, and I'm sure the reason is because I've always been a "people watcher." People fascinate me, those who are nice and those who are not so nice. I often look at people, acting a certain way, and then spend hours wondering what might have happened in their lives to cause them to react as they do. When I'm writing, I can answer those questions.
3. You have done so much, in so many fields, how have your experiences
influenced your writing? And what has been the most fulfilling time in your
life, as far as "work" goes?
I truly believe that writers, whether they're experienced or just beginning, have the exceptional ability to take notice of everything around them at all times. People's actions, smells, the color of a leaf during a certain season. Oh, I could go on forever. We pay attention to things that people in other fields seldom have, or take the time, to notice. Any tiny thing we see, or experience, can become a whole new book for us.
Fortunately, I have been in the position to pursue many different occupations, always by choice and always for a specific reason. I love a challenge and I am happiest when I'm creating something. Along with the fact that I love taking charge of "nothing" and turning it into "something" like producing a novel where there once was a blank screen, and now, forming a supportive, statewide network for Florida writers when there wasn't one.
And what has been the most fulfilling time in my life, as far as "work" goes?
I can honestly say that everything I've ever done has been fulfilling. I'm still
waiting for the "most" fulfilling. ;-)
4. You have recently moved to Florida, do you worry about hurricanes?
Absolutely not. Regardless of where I lived, I could find something to worry
about if I chose to. I suffer emotionally because of the devastation hurricanes bring, on the other hand, I love movement. I get very uneasy when things are completel still. My study overlooks a huge, ocean-fed river and when I see the graceful movement of the water and the palm trees dancing in the breeze, I am content.
5. What was your motivation for "applying the seat of your pants to the
seat of your chair", and actually begin writing?
I have always wanted to write, but kept getting sidetracked with other things that caught my attention at the moment, along with raising a family. When our daughters left home to fulfill their desires in life, I was handed the perfect opportunity. Not having the faintest idea what I was doing, I started "random" writing. You know, just writing anything that popped into my head. I did that for several months before I finally put a storyline together.
My husband read some of my "scribblings" and said, "This is what you have to do. This is what you're supposed to do!" I haven't stopped writing since and doubt that I ever will.
6. Whom, would you say, are your main inspirations in the writing field? Why?
Without a doubt, Eugenia Price. Not only because I am convinced that I was born too late and should have been a true Southern Belle during the glory days of the South, but because she wrote with such passion about that time period. Her research was beyond reproach and oh, what that woman could do with words. And she was truly an artist when it came to developing characters. My favorite book is every one that she wrote.
7. In your novel "Silent Revenge", the main plot seems to be just that;
revenge. What are your feelings on revenge?
I believe that revenge, under normal circumstances, is unhealthy and destructive, especially for those seeking it. My first published novel, Silent Revenge, didn't start out quite the way it finally developed. I had a young woman, Sarah, who had faced traumatic situations since childhood. When she suffered her greatest loss and was then humiliated by her snobbish, hateful mother-in-law, I literally put myself in Sarah's place and asked, "What if?" I have a little sign taped to the top of my monitor and the letters spell "What if?" I doubt that I could write a line without constantly making use of those two words.
8. You mention that you enjoy Elvis Presley. What is your favorite song/songs by the King?
To say that I enjoy Elvis' music is putting it mildly. ;-) First, let me say that I am not a fan of his "jumping around" Blue Suede Shoes and Hound Dog days; however, I am an incurable fan of the songs he sang in the late sixties and seventies. By that time he had gained a certain finesse and control that unleashed a tremendous amount of feeling into his singing, not to mention the sexuality he portrayed with every word.
My favorite Elvis songs? Probably all of the slow ones; however, I am partial to My Way ... You Don't Have To Say You Love Me ... Can't Help Falling In Love. Okay, now I've told you even more about myself. I am a hopeless romantic and enjoy celebrating my January 8 birthday with his.
And here's another one of Glenda's Tidbits . . . I have an extremely talented cousin, Bill Penny, with a golden voice so close to Elvis' that sometimes it's difficult to tell them apart. When my 8-year-old granddaughter rides in the car with me, she often asks, "Nana, is that Elvis or our cousin, Bill, singing?" Yep, the car motor starts and the music starts - either Elvis or Bill.
9. What does your husband think of your writing?
Oh, we don't have enough time for that. ;-) I could search the world over and not find anyone as supportive as he is. He says that the best part of his day is to come home from work and find me working on my writing. He would much rather see me at the keyboard than preparing dinner, or any other household chore. Yet, at the same time, he can be very objective. He loves reading my work and is never hesitant to say, "Hey, this doesn't make sense," or "I'm getting lost here. This isn't flowing as it should." I value his opinion and normally take his advice.
10. And Rusty must surely have an opinion of the time you spend occupied
with the keyboard...
Ahh, Rusty, my little 8 lb. Poodle-Person. Oh yes, he is very open with his opinions. He will grant me a stretch of 3-4 hours, then he demands his time. And I give it freely, a nice long walk at midday, then another one in late afternoon. As long as he gets two walks a day, I'm free to work all night, if I choose, without any interference from him. However, if he only gets one walk, he'll paw at my leg close to midnight as if to say, "Okay, that's enough. It's bedtime!"
11. Do you listen to music when you write? Why or why not?
When I'm beginning a book, in the drafting stage, I do listen to music. Always
slow, always dreamy. But when I am ready to seriously put all the pieces together, I require total silence because my characters seem to take over and they don't want any distraction. So, whatever my characters want - they get.
12. What advice would you give to someone who has to write, but has never
been published? Or someone who is thinking of beginning to write?
Just do it! Writing isn't simply something that one decides to do. The desire is
instilled in them, it won't go away - it demands release. It's much easier to be
published nowadays than ever before. There are so many new options. A writer no
longer has to spend years searching for an agent or a traditional publisher.
The Print-on-Demand concept is becoming more popular by the day. Many say
that POD books are inferior. Not so! If a book is good, it will sell regardless of which publisher imprint is stamped on the book.
And for that someone who is thinking of beginning to write Not to worry. If
it's in you to do it, you will when the time is right for you. One bit of advice - A
writer must read! To quote Hemingway, "Once you begin a book, read it to the very
last page. You will learn either how to write, or how not to to write!"
* * *
Walter, I'd like to extend my gratitude for inviting me to express my views about myself as an author and my work in general. You have a marvelous new magazine, and I am honored to have been included in this edition. I wish you much success.
