Interview with Nora Raleigh Baskin

Tell us about your publishing journey…

For me it was a nine year path to getting published and none of it was wasted or unimportant. It was all part of what I had to learn, which was mostly: Be a better Writer. Don’t write what you think will get published. Write from the heart. 
And don’t keep sending out the same work hoping someone else will want it- Write something new. Improve. 
A part of getting published is, of course, talent. But another part is sitting down and doing the work and still another important part is putting yourself out there, making contacts, and writing the best book you can. 

What do you love about being an author?

Everything. I’ve dreaming of being a writer (a little different than being an author) since I was twelve years old. I love the freedom. I love that I can create. I love that there are no rules, except do whatever you are trying to do really well. For me, writing saved my life and gave me a healing voice. Being an author allowed me to validate my need to write. It allowed me to do it for living, to spend my life writing. I am grateful every day. 
 
If you could have dinner with any literary character, who would it be and what would you eat?

I would want to have dinner with Louis the Swan (The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B White) and we would have watercress sandwiches, of course.  I’ve never had watercress by the way, and I am not sure I would like it. But Louis loves it, so that’s all that matters. 

If you had a time machine, which era would you go back to and why?

It has always been the same answer for me. I would like to have been born in 1900 and come into my twenties in the twenties. I think for women and for writers and artists it was an amazing time. I would seek out Isadora Duncan and followed her everywhere. 

What life advice do you wish you’d been given sooner?

You deserve to be treated well by men. ( in other words- find a good therapist!)
 
If you were a supernatural creature, what would you be and why?

I would be a Phoenix. I know that is not exactly supernatural, but often I feel as though I’ve risen from the ashes to be reborn, or at least given a second, third, fourth chance. 
 
Where do you write best? 

In my home. Near my pets and my kitchen. 

What was the last book you read, and what were your thoughts on it?

I just finished “Let’s not go to the Dogs Tonight” by Alexandra Fuller.  I thought it was one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read. 
 
If you didn’t write in your genre, which other would you prefer and why?

Adult literary fiction. I am moving in that direction. 
 
Where can fans find you online?

norabaskin.com
@noraraleighb

 

Filed under: Interviews with other authors