Zekija Smorhaj asked Lori Nelson Spielman:

Hi! :) Two questions (if I may) :) Did you always know that you're going to be a writer? When did you feel that The Life List might be "it"?

Lori Nelson Spielman Hi Zekija--so nice of you to join me here!

I was a huge reader as a child and, although I loved writing, I never thought of pursuing writing as a career. But I do remember a job interview when I was just out of college. The interviewer asked me to tell him my biggest fantasy. (I know, kind of creepy, right?) I surprised myself by answering, "To live on the ocean and write novels." So, I'm writing novels...now I have to work on that house on the ocean! :)

As absolutely loved writing THE LIFE LIST. But writing is such a solitary task that I wasn't sure if I had something special. I knew I liked it, but I didn't know if I was able to be objective. It wasn't until my early readers began giving me great feedback that I felt this might be "it". My mom left a voice mail message saying, "I think it's great. I think this one's going to be published." I kept that message on my answering machine for months. Every time I got a rejection letter, I'd press the button and hear my mom's reassuring words!

Thanks so much for your great questions, Zekija!
Warm wishes,
Lori

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