Just for Fun Friday: Authors are Readers Too.

Thursday Thoughts: Blogger’s Block Weekend Wrap-up May 31: E-I-AI-U

Just for Fun Friday: Authors are Readers Too.

Back in 2020 I was on the cusp of greatness—
Greatness? Really?
Jeez! You scared me. Don’t sneak up like that.
Sorry. You were saying how great you were…continue. I really want to see where this goes.

As I was saying, in 2020 I had published the next great poetry book—Don’t look at me like that.
I didn’t say anything.
You were thinking something.
True.

Fine. Today I thought I would repost the very first self-interview I did after the release of my first poetry book. But true to form, I decided to give it a twist by interviewing myself as a reader.

Leon Stevens, the Author, interviews Leon Stevens, the Reader

Today we sit down with Leon Stevens, the reader. We haven’t chatted for a while, how have you been?
   I’m doing well, thanks for asking!
Tea?
   Oh, yes please.
[clinking of fine china teacups]
Say when.
   When?
When you want me to stop pouring.
   Can’t you tell when it’s full?

[silence]

Well then, enough of the small talk. Let’s get started, shall we? First question:
What was the first book that you remember reading?
   Ever?
Yes.
   Wow, that’s a great question.
I thought it was.
   I guess if I try to remember all the way back, I’d have to say, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
That’s the one with all the holes in the pages through the apples.
   -Yup. I think that I got my finger stuck in one of them.
I think we all did.
[laughter]
Any others worth mentioning?
   I do recall reading Curious George, Pippi Longstocking, Hardy Boys, and I liked pop-up books. Oh, and the Highlights magazines.
Next Question: What was the first book that fascinated you?
   That’s an easy one, A Wrinkle in Time.
Why that one?
   My fifth-grade teacher read it to us. I looked forward to that time. He was a great reader, and I was sad when the book ended. It was a kind of a dark adventure for that age group.
Did you like reading?
   I didn’t dislike it, but I wasn’t a voracious reader.
Were you encouraged to read?
   I think so. My dad would read to me at bedtime. He would make space stories for me. I later found out, when I started reading science fiction on my own, that many of those “made up” stories were ones he had read before. I don’t fault him for it. It was funny reading a story and thinking, “Hey, Dad didn’t make that up!”
Do you have a favorite genre, or do you have a variety of interests?
   I usually read science fiction, and I prefer the older works over new. I do enjoy historical non-fiction, especially about explorers. I do enjoy some fantasy from time to time, as well as crime dramas.
What book have you re-read the most?
   I would have to say, Klondike by Pierre Burton, followed by Alive by Piers Paul Read, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Favorite book?
   Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut.
Any newer books that I might know that you have enjoyed?
   Umm, you know the same books I do.
I suppose that’s true…Well?
   Ready Player One and The Martian would be the most recent. But again, you knew that.
Have you ever not finished a book?
   Yes.
Care to throw it under the bus?
   Nope. Not fair to the authors. Sometimes a book just doesn’t fit with the reader.
I understand. Well then, last question: What will you be reading next?
   I’m waiting for you to finish your science fiction book.
It’s getting there, don’t rush me.
   I’m just yankin’ your chain, I’ve liked what I have read so far.
Thanks. I appreciate that.
   I knew you would.
I knew that you knew that I would.
   I’m not playing that game.

[silence]

I guess we are done then. It has been a pleasure interviewing you.
   Well, thank you. It was fun! We should do this again.
Agreed!

[sounds of shaking hands (which doesn’t sound like anything…)]

Want more? Here are all the interviews in one place (kind of)

Leon Stevens Interviews Himself

Euphrates Vanished (Kindle/KU)A Matter of Sabotage (Kindle/KU)

Don’t feel like buying the book?

Sci-fi not your thing?

Try my two poetry collections: Lines by Leon and A Wonder of Words

Leon Stevens is a multi-genre author, composer, guitarist, songwriter, and an artist, with a Bachelor of Music and Education. He published his first book of poetry, Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures in January 2020, followed by a book of original classical guitar compositions, Journeys, and a short story collection of science fiction/post-apocalyptic tales called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories. His newest publications are the novella trilogy, The View from Here, which is a continuation of one of his short stories, a new collection of poetry titled, A Wonder of Words, and his latest sci-fi mystery, Euphrates Vanished.

My new book page: http://books.linesbyleon.com/