Interview with Lorena Bathey, author of Beatrice Munson
1. Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or was there something else you wanted to do as a career?
No, I didn't know I wanted to be a writer. I did write a journal, like most teenage girls. And I was an English major in college, but that was more because I loved to read. Perhaps that is a prerequisite for being a writer. I really wanted to be in advertising and do copywriting but not a novel
2. Is there one author that you have read every book that they have written?
Well, I do have a few authors that I've read a lot of their works; Stephen King is a big favorite. But I can't read his scary books because they scare me so much I can't sleep. He is the master at horror because he lets you make the fear bigger in your own mind. But I love his work for the way he weaves a story around so many characters. The Stand is a masterpiece of that.
3. In you opinion what is the best movie adaptation of a book that you've read?
Actually, I remember feeling that Cider House Rules was a well done movie to the book. And of course being a huge fan of Stephen King I think Green Mile and Misery were amazing. The movie I thought outdid the book was Remains of the Day. That book was slow but the movie was wonderful.
4. When you are browsing book stores what is the first section you go to?
I really like the soft bound books. You know the section in the middle with a bunch of new books all stacked together. I like the feel, size and weight of the better paperbacks. I will browse first looking at the covers and titles to see which one grabs me. Then I usually read the first page to see if I like the writing style and feel. If it gets me to turn to the next page, I will usually buy it.
5. If your book was being made into a movie do you already have actors in mind for each role? What bands/singers would you put on the soundtrack?
Oh, absolutely. I did a whole video on Beatrice Munson. I have ideas in my head for my new novel, House on Plunkett Street. But because I see my books like movies in my heads while I'm writing them, picking a cast is easy because I know how they look and their way of being.
Soundtrack is a little different since I have such eclectic taste. But for House on Plunkett Street, I would absolutely see a lot of Radiohead. My next novel, The Ex, would have a lot harder rock like Disturbed and Dope.
6. When you're creating characters do you incorporate traits from people you know?
Sometimes...well....probably. But it's more small characteristics they have rather than an entire character. Like in Beatrice Munson, I have several women that are the main characters and while they all have their own personalities there are aspects of people I know, or even myself.
7. If you had the chance to have a sit down with any author alive or deceased who would it be and why?
Actually, there are two. One is, Shakespeare, because let's face it we all want to know the real deal. Did he write everything, was he simply the front man. Plus, I love his bawdy writing style. The other is Jane Austen. I am a big fan of her writing and I'd love to just know if she really was like Elizabeth Bennett or not.
No, I didn't know I wanted to be a writer. I did write a journal, like most teenage girls. And I was an English major in college, but that was more because I loved to read. Perhaps that is a prerequisite for being a writer. I really wanted to be in advertising and do copywriting but not a novel
2. Is there one author that you have read every book that they have written?
Well, I do have a few authors that I've read a lot of their works; Stephen King is a big favorite. But I can't read his scary books because they scare me so much I can't sleep. He is the master at horror because he lets you make the fear bigger in your own mind. But I love his work for the way he weaves a story around so many characters. The Stand is a masterpiece of that.
3. In you opinion what is the best movie adaptation of a book that you've read?
Actually, I remember feeling that Cider House Rules was a well done movie to the book. And of course being a huge fan of Stephen King I think Green Mile and Misery were amazing. The movie I thought outdid the book was Remains of the Day. That book was slow but the movie was wonderful.
4. When you are browsing book stores what is the first section you go to?
I really like the soft bound books. You know the section in the middle with a bunch of new books all stacked together. I like the feel, size and weight of the better paperbacks. I will browse first looking at the covers and titles to see which one grabs me. Then I usually read the first page to see if I like the writing style and feel. If it gets me to turn to the next page, I will usually buy it.
5. If your book was being made into a movie do you already have actors in mind for each role? What bands/singers would you put on the soundtrack?
Oh, absolutely. I did a whole video on Beatrice Munson. I have ideas in my head for my new novel, House on Plunkett Street. But because I see my books like movies in my heads while I'm writing them, picking a cast is easy because I know how they look and their way of being.
Soundtrack is a little different since I have such eclectic taste. But for House on Plunkett Street, I would absolutely see a lot of Radiohead. My next novel, The Ex, would have a lot harder rock like Disturbed and Dope.
6. When you're creating characters do you incorporate traits from people you know?
Sometimes...well....probably. But it's more small characteristics they have rather than an entire character. Like in Beatrice Munson, I have several women that are the main characters and while they all have their own personalities there are aspects of people I know, or even myself.
7. If you had the chance to have a sit down with any author alive or deceased who would it be and why?
Actually, there are two. One is, Shakespeare, because let's face it we all want to know the real deal. Did he write everything, was he simply the front man. Plus, I love his bawdy writing style. The other is Jane Austen. I am a big fan of her writing and I'd love to just know if she really was like Elizabeth Bennett or not.
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