About
A Conversation with the Novelist
1. Why did you decide to write novels?
Short answer: Because I can't sing, dance, act, draw, sew, or play an instrument.
Long answer: Like most novelists, I've been a voracious reader since I learned the alphabet. Occasionally I came across books that made me say, possibly out loud, "I could do better!"
After hearing this one too many times my husband asked, "Then why don't you?'"
I had no snappy comeback. So I wrote a book.
2. Is Maya Missani your real name?
No. I chose it as my pen name for two reasons.
First, I think half the fun of being a writer is inventing a pen name. It sounds even better in French: nom de plume. Who wouldn't want one of those?
Second, in my non-writing life I counsel people going through personal challenges. I have too much respect for them to risk the possibility they might think I'm using their experiences as raw material. Situations I read about in the newspaper, on the other hand.....
No. I chose it as my pen name for two reasons.
First, I think half the fun of being a writer is inventing a pen name. It sounds even better in French: nom de plume. Who wouldn't want one of those?
Second, in my non-writing life I counsel people going through personal challenges. I have too much respect for them to risk the possibility they might think I'm using their experiences as raw material. Situations I read about in the newspaper, on the other hand.....
3. What kind of books do you write?
I write humorous commercial fiction. 'Slice of life' stories that follow contemporary women as they tackle challenges in unpredictable, funny ways.
I enjoy books with subplots and quirky secondary characters so my novels have a generous sprinkling of both. That includes unusual animal characters. So far, there have been appearances by a llama, polar bear, reindeer, hamsters, the occasional lizard, and a baby elephant.
I write humorous commercial fiction. 'Slice of life' stories that follow contemporary women as they tackle challenges in unpredictable, funny ways.
I enjoy books with subplots and quirky secondary characters so my novels have a generous sprinkling of both. That includes unusual animal characters. So far, there have been appearances by a llama, polar bear, reindeer, hamsters, the occasional lizard, and a baby elephant.
4. What about vampires? Zombies? Shapeshifters? Demons? Angels? Fae? Serial killers? One time killers? The apocolypse (pre-, during, or post-)?
All very entertaining, but none make appearances here.
All very entertaining, but none make appearances here.
5. How far along the road to publication are you?
My first novel, 'Cupid and a Toolbelt: Of Love and Home Improvement' is complete and has begun making the rounds of agents. It won the Alaska Romance Writer's 'Breakup' contest with a unique scene of revenge for love betrayed.
I have two further novels under construction, with travel and food themes.
Though my stories don't fall within the 'Romance' genre, I joined the Toronto chapter of the Romance Writer's of America for the excellent monthly meetings about craft and the publishing industry. The best part is getting to hang around with other people who hear voices in their heads. In a good way.
My first novel, 'Cupid and a Toolbelt: Of Love and Home Improvement' is complete and has begun making the rounds of agents. It won the Alaska Romance Writer's 'Breakup' contest with a unique scene of revenge for love betrayed.
I have two further novels under construction, with travel and food themes.
Though my stories don't fall within the 'Romance' genre, I joined the Toronto chapter of the Romance Writer's of America for the excellent monthly meetings about craft and the publishing industry. The best part is getting to hang around with other people who hear voices in their heads. In a good way.
6. Do you participate in social media?
Apart from this site and its attached blog, I post book reviews, random thoughts and anything that strikes me as funny at apprentice-writer.blogspot.com.
Apart from this site and its attached blog, I post book reviews, random thoughts and anything that strikes me as funny at apprentice-writer.blogspot.com.
7. What is your position on the infamous Team Peeta vs Team Galen controversy?
Pardon me?
8. Never mind. I just wanted to see if you were still paying attention. Thanks for chatting today.
Pardon me?
8. Never mind. I just wanted to see if you were still paying attention. Thanks for chatting today.