1. What is the name of the book where we would meet you? What genre is it?
Willing Spirits. The genre is Women’s Fiction.
2. Who wrote the book?
Phyllis Schieber
3. What do you think of the author? You can tell us the truth.
I think she is complicated. She writes from her heart, and I like that about her. She wants to write books that she would want to read. Sometimes she meanders and strays from the plot, but I relish those interludes. They have a dreamy quality that reflects her thought process.
4. Tell us a little about yourself. How would you describe your appearance?
That's more than just really cute or drop dead gorgeous. Give us enough
detail to get a clear idea of how you look.
I’m only five feet one. I would have liked to be taller, but I’m not. I’m not skinny. I have to watch what I eat. I have curly, brown hair that is going grey. I dyed it last year, just a rinse. Gwen didn’t like it. She kept calling me Lucy. It was so silly, but I stopped using the rinse. The grey is sort of interesting. I’m not as striking as Gwen, but I’m attractive. When we are out together, no one ever notices me. My lips are my worst feature. They’re too thin, but I know how to make them look fuller. Make-up is a blessing. I have good skin and nice eyes even if they are just brown.
5. What character are you in the book? Are you the hero, the best friend, the side kick, the hero and heroine's child or someone else?
I am the “other heroine.”
6. Is there a specific reason why you're in the story? Don't give us any story spoilers, but you can share some teasers if you want.
I am the story. Gwen and I share the spotlight in Willing Spirits.
7. What time period do you live in?
Contemporary.
8. Where are you from?
9. Do you live in the same place now?
Yes, I do. I am a born and bred New Yorker.
10. Tell us about your hometown and your current home.
What’s to tell?
11. Tell us how your hometown or your current home affects you, the things you do and how you feel about life?
I’ve never lived anywhere else, so I don’t’ know anything different. I love
12. What special skills or abilities do you have?
Well, I’m an elementary school teacher. I don’t know that I have any special skills. I’m a good friend, a good mother, and a good teacher. I thought I was a good wife, but apparently my soon-to-be-ex-husband didn’t share that feeling.
13. How do those affect your part in the story?
Throughout the story I am a betrayed wife, a mother and a friend, as well as a teacher, so I would say the entire story is affected by my roles. I bring something to each of those roles.
14. Are you happy with the story?
The story was hard on me from the beginning. In spite of that, I love how I grew. I was allowed to take risks, make mistakes and become a stronger and more independent person. I like that. So, yes, I am happy with the story.
15. Do you have some ideas that the author should consider about the story? You can share them with us. We're all friends here.
Well, sometimes I think I come across as a bit provincial. I’m not all that interested in the same sort of ideas that seem to intrigue Gwen. She loves all those esoteric religious and philosophical concepts. I resist all that. I think in some ways, Phyllis took advantage of my lack of sophistication, but I’m a good sport, so I went along with it. Until
16. Tell us about your past. Can you share one really good experience and/or one really bad experience? I know that bad experiences can be tough, but it would tell us more about what you've been through.
You would think I would immediately say that finding my husband in bed with a girl practically the same ages as his daughter, would be my bad experience, but it was really my good experience. That single event really compelled me to question the authenticity of my marriage, as well as to face my own unhappiness and do something about it.
I think the hardest experience I had was learning that my daughter Caroline was pregnant. She’s so young and so not ready to be a mother, and I had so hoped for her to have a different life than the one I had. I think I really rallied after I found out, so while it was a bad experience, I think I rose to the occasion and surprised everyone, including myself.
17. Who is the most important person in your life? Tell us about them.
Caroline is the most important person in my life. She is my daughter, and I adore her. Gwen is right behind Caroline. I don’t know what I would do without Gwen.
18. Is that person in the story we're talking about?
Yes.
19. How does that person impact you and your life?
Motherhood is the single most defining experience of my life. Everything I do and don’t do affects Caroline, so I am mindful of that. Still, I had to evolve. It was important for both of us.
20. Do you have any children?
My Caroline.
21. If you do, tell us about them. If you don't have any children, you can tell us why not - but, only if you want to tell us.
Caroline is a college student. She is a gifted artist. I think she is willful, impulsive, and quick to judge, but I also know her to be loving, kind and supportive. She is the love of my life.
22. What do you see in your future?
I see change, and I believe that is good.
23. Do you think your author is going to write another story about you? Or, are you part of a series?
Oh, definitely not!
24. Do you like being a character in a book?
I didn’t realize I was until just now.
25. If someone ever decides to make a movie based on your story, who should play you in the movie and why?
I love Marcia Gay Harding. She could play me. We have the same coloring, and we must be about the same age. She is emotional, but she is also strong.
It’s been great to talk with you. If you want to tell us anything else, feel free. Also, tell us about a website where we can learn more about you and where we can buy the book. If you have a picture of yourself, feel free to send it.
For more information, visit - www.phyllisschieber.blogspot.com
Order from the publisher - http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425225851,00.html?Willing_Spirits_Phyllis_Schieber
Order from Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Willing-Spirits-Phyllis-Schieber/dp/0425225852
Interesting insights into Jane and Phyllis :)
ReplyDeleteNikki