Interview with Joy Fielding

What Readers want to know...

SS: How would you describe perfect happiness?

JF: Perfect happiness is knowing that everyone I love is healthy, safe, and content.

SS: If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?

JF: Exactly where I am at the moment - Palm Beach, Florida. Although Paris is always a close second.

SS: With whom in history do you most identify?

JF: No one really. I've always been hopelessly stuck in the present.

SS: Which living person do you most admire?

JF: My husband.

SS: What are your most overused words or phrases?

JF: Give me a break. Assorted swear words.

SS: What do you regret most?

JF: That I didn't get more time with my mother, that I'm not always as kind or patient as I should be.

SS: If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?

JF: I'd love to be able to really sing. I'd also have loved to be a great ballet dancer.

SS: What is your greatest achievement?

JF: My 35 year marriage, my two daughters, and my 21 books.

SS: What’s your greatest flaw?

JF: I have very limited patience and I'm very quick-tempered.

SS: What’s your best quality?

JF: I'm very generous and loyal. And funny.

SS: If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?

JF: I'm very happy being me, although sometimes I'd love to be a bird so that I could fly.

SS: What trait is most noticeable about you?

JF: I always say what's on my mind. No need to second guess with me..

SS: Who is your favorite fictional hero?

JF: Nathan Zuckerman.

SS: If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?

JF: Golda Meir. I'd ask her if she could see any way out of the mess in the Mideast.

SS: What is your biggest pet peeve?

JF: Bad weather.

SS: What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?

JF: Playing golf.

SS: What’s your fantasy profession?

JF: Golf pro, ballet dancer, singer.

SS: What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?

JF: Kindness, intelligence, sense of humor.

SS: If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?

JF: Birthday cake

SS: What are your 5 favorite songs?

JF: "I would give thing I own; Yesterday, when I was Young; If you go away; Non, Je ne regret de rien; Little Girl Blue

Questions About Books and Writing

SS: Who are your favorite authors?

JF: Philip Roth Carl Hiaasen Joan Didion

SS: What are your 5 favorite books of all time?

JF: The Prince of Tides Play it as it Lays American Pastoral The Ghost Writer Patrimony

SS: Is there a book you love to reread?

JF: I rarely reread books. There are too many new ones out there.

SS: Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?

JF: Read, read, read.

SS: What comment do you hear most often from your readers?

JF: I couldn't put your book down.

General Questions

SS: What were your previous occupations?

JF: high school supply teacher, bank teller, case-aide worker, seller of towels and men's socks

SS: What was/is your favorite job?

JF: Writing novels

SS: Where did you go to high school and/or college?

JF: Forest Hill Collegiate and the University of Toronto, both in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

SS: Name of your favorite composer or music artist?

JF: My older daughter, Shannon Micol.

SS: What is your favorite movie?

JF: the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers

SS: What is your favorite television show?

JF: Dexter, the Mentalist, Brothers and Sisters

Quick Start

SS: How would you describe your life in only 8 words?

JF: happy, fulfilling, interesting, hectic, loving, daughter-centric, amazing.

SS: What is your motto or maxim?

JF: Be kind.

Get more on Joy Fielding at SimonandSchuster.com