Interview with Kelly McClymer
October, 2009
SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
KM: Devoted to asking and trying to answer, "Why ...?"
SS: What is your motto or maxim?
KM: Why only ask why, when researching the answer can prove so interesting?
SS: How would you describe perfect happiness?
KM: Recognizing that happiness is best when it is fleeting and unexpected, and because of that, it should be savored when it comes.
SS: What’s your greatest fear?
KM: Being the neighborhood mean old grouch when I get old (not for many, many years from now).
SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
KM: Hawaii
SS: With whom in history do you most identify?
KM: I identify with every person in every time past and present who wanted (and/or wants) to end warfare.
SS: Which living person do you most admire?
KM: Oprah. It seems to me that she always asks herself how she can make the world better and have a little fun.
SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?
KM: But. And. So. Which. All the 'connector' words...but I do love them so very much.
SS: What do you regret most?
KM: Not finding Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth (although I did look when I was in Florida).
SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
KM: Singing. On key. With melody (to be very specific).
SS: What is your greatest achievement?
KM: Never giving up on my dreams, no matter how far fetched or bizarre others may find them.
SS: What’s your greatest flaw?
KM: Whining. Aloud.
SS: What’s your best quality?
KM: Curiosity.
SS: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
KM: Me.
SS: What trait is most noticeable about you?
KM: My tendency to daydream at inopportune times.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
KM: Today? Harriet the Spy.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
KM: Miss Haversham [shiver]
SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
KM: Lincoln. "Skip the play." (this sounds familiar to me, so I believe I'm not the first to say this).
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
KM: Those who think a rule or custom is universally applicable. Except for brushing your teeth, everyone should do that, of course.
SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
KM: Teaching.
SS: What’s your fantasy profession?
KM: Video game designer for virtual reality games.
SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
KM: Empathy. Patience. Generosity of spirit.
SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
KM: ...?! ...!? ...well, if I had to ... pistachios
SS: What are your 5 favorite songs?
KM: Today? Hmmm: Winner Takes It All (ABBA): With or Without You (U2); Shattered (O.A.R); Viva La Vida (Coldplay); I Am Where It Takes Me (Black Light Burns)
SS: Who are your favorite authors?
KM: Charles Dickens, Harper Lee, Mark Twain, George Orwell, Mary Shelley
SS: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
KM: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Frankenstein, Oliver, 1984
SS: Is there a book you love to reread?
KM: The Dictionary
SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
KM: Love words and treat them well.
SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
KM: When is your next book coming out?
SS: What is your birthdate?
KM: 9/22
SS: What were your previous occupations?
KM: Teacher, Publications Specialist, Secretary, Customer Service Representative, drugstore clerk, babysitter
SS: What was/is your favorite job?
KM: Fiction Writer.
SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?
KM: Delaware for both -- William Penn High and University of Delaware
SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?
KM: Bob Dylan
SS: What is your favorite movie?
KM: Today? Akeela and the Bee
SS: What is your favorite television show?
KM: This year? Pushing Daisies (boo hoo on its cancellation)
Get more on Kelly McClymer at SimonandSchuster.com
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Quick Start
SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
KM: Devoted to asking and trying to answer, "Why ...?"
SS: What is your motto or maxim?
KM: Why only ask why, when researching the answer can prove so interesting?
What Readers want to know...
SS: How would you describe perfect happiness?
KM: Recognizing that happiness is best when it is fleeting and unexpected, and because of that, it should be savored when it comes.
SS: What’s your greatest fear?
KM: Being the neighborhood mean old grouch when I get old (not for many, many years from now).
SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
KM: Hawaii
SS: With whom in history do you most identify?
KM: I identify with every person in every time past and present who wanted (and/or wants) to end warfare.
SS: Which living person do you most admire?
KM: Oprah. It seems to me that she always asks herself how she can make the world better and have a little fun.
SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?
KM: But. And. So. Which. All the 'connector' words...but I do love them so very much.
SS: What do you regret most?
KM: Not finding Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth (although I did look when I was in Florida).
SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
KM: Singing. On key. With melody (to be very specific).
SS: What is your greatest achievement?
KM: Never giving up on my dreams, no matter how far fetched or bizarre others may find them.
SS: What’s your greatest flaw?
KM: Whining. Aloud.
SS: What’s your best quality?
KM: Curiosity.
SS: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
KM: Me.
SS: What trait is most noticeable about you?
KM: My tendency to daydream at inopportune times.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?
KM: Today? Harriet the Spy.
SS: Who is your favorite fictional villain?
KM: Miss Haversham [shiver]
SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
KM: Lincoln. "Skip the play." (this sounds familiar to me, so I believe I'm not the first to say this).
SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?
KM: Those who think a rule or custom is universally applicable. Except for brushing your teeth, everyone should do that, of course.
SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
KM: Teaching.
SS: What’s your fantasy profession?
KM: Video game designer for virtual reality games.
SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
KM: Empathy. Patience. Generosity of spirit.
SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
KM: ...?! ...!? ...well, if I had to ... pistachios
SS: What are your 5 favorite songs?
KM: Today? Hmmm: Winner Takes It All (ABBA): With or Without You (U2); Shattered (O.A.R); Viva La Vida (Coldplay); I Am Where It Takes Me (Black Light Burns)
Questions About Books and Writing
SS: Who are your favorite authors?
KM: Charles Dickens, Harper Lee, Mark Twain, George Orwell, Mary Shelley
SS: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
KM: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Frankenstein, Oliver, 1984
SS: Is there a book you love to reread?
KM: The Dictionary
SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
KM: Love words and treat them well.
SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
KM: When is your next book coming out?
General Questions
SS: What is your birthdate?
KM: 9/22
SS: What were your previous occupations?
KM: Teacher, Publications Specialist, Secretary, Customer Service Representative, drugstore clerk, babysitter
SS: What was/is your favorite job?
KM: Fiction Writer.
SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?
KM: Delaware for both -- William Penn High and University of Delaware
SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?
KM: Bob Dylan
SS: What is your favorite movie?
KM: Today? Akeela and the Bee
SS: What is your favorite television show?
KM: This year? Pushing Daisies (boo hoo on its cancellation)
Get more on Kelly McClymer at SimonandSchuster.com
