Eclipse of the Mourning Star<\/a>, what would they be?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\nI love this question! As someone who makes playlists for every little moment, it\u2019s hard to choose just one. I have several playlists for the book. Today, I\u2019ll say \u201cIn My Life\u201d by The Beatles. RIP to the other 138 amazing songs in the main character soundtrack matrix.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019ve tried to avoid claiming genres in all artforms. This keeps me branching out, but also on the fringe. I gravitate towards the surreal and mind-bending, and a pinch of humor keeps me turning pages.<\/p>\n
What books are on your TBR pile right now?<\/strong><\/p>\nI\u2019m currently reading My Cousin, My Gastroenterologist by Mark Leyner. The books at arm\u2019s length are Erasure by Percival Everett, Japanese Death Poems by Zen monks and haiku poets on the verge of death, and Ringolevio: A Life Played for Keeps by Emmett Grogan. I recently began listening to Werner Herzog\u2019s memoir, Every Man for Himself and God Against All. This is one book that must be listened to as opposed to read. I could listen to Herzog talk about anything for any amount of time.<\/p>\n
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?<\/strong><\/p>\nThe Costa Rica scenes were certainly my favorite. They were a welcome break from the heavy nature of the book. Particularly the scene where Nico and I ride horses and get in trouble with our pre-teen tour guide. A close second would be the Symbiosis Music Festival chapter. I\u2019ve never had such a good time making fun of myself.<\/p>\n
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)<\/strong><\/p>\nYes, I have a highly superstitious and meaningful ritual. In it, I burn sage and summon the dead. I\u2019m surrounded by strange trinkets in my den. If I have any memorabilia that could\u2019ve belonged to a character I\u2019m writing about, I\u2019ll place that in front of me, such as the rattlesnake tail that my grandfather chopped off. The animals outside my window often stop by to criticize my work. So I take breaks for zoological production meetings. The attendees are birds of prey, coyotes, an unwelcome skunk if I\u2019m writing late into the night, and even P-22, LA\u2019s beloved mountain lion, once graced the neighborhood. There is one squirrel named Frank who is particularly brutal. He often kicks dirt at me through the window as he digs up my plants and scorns my prose. If anything I\u2019ve written is good, it\u2019s likely due to Frank.<\/p>\n
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?<\/strong><\/p>\nThere are many ways to say never give up. I think Henry Ford captured perseverance when he said, \u201cWhen everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\nChange is always possible because hope is undefeated.<\/p>\n
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