Though I am writing from my bed with a fever and a cough that sounds like thunder, I want to post some snippets from an interview that I did with Kimberly McLeod. She is a professor at Texas Southern University and has written anything from children’s books to academic journals. Here are a few questions and answers from the interview:
Q: How much did your transcript change during the editing process?
A: During editing, the first book I wrote changed quite a bit. Two characters merged into one and I added more details to scenes and increased the pace of the storyline. I learned to be friends with the delete button and eliminate anything that is not contributing to the story.
Q: Who or what inspires you as an author?
A: My inspiration comes from recognizing needs and psychological problems for a specific population. I write in order to improve these needs that I see.
Q: How is technology changing print culture, specifically regarding authors and readers?
A: If authors are not moving toward the 21st century then they are not going to be found or discovered. Their work is not as accessible in print as it is in digital format. Authors have to embrace the new technology and stay with the times.
Despite the fact that Professor Mcleod is my cousin, I believe that she is a talented author. Many of the children’s books she has written are based on her kids and the experiences that they have. She mirrored my beliefs about authors entering the new age of technology (aka the digital age). I loved interviewing this amazing author!
This is a side not, but here is a picture of the gigantic bookcase in my house that is overflowing with books. It proves that print books are still relevant, even to a college student about to graduate!
The Musings of Jessica Smith 