Interview with Sarah Angleton, the Practical Historian

For the past few years, Sarah Angleton has been a valued member of Coffee and Critique, where she has shared her stories, wit, and wisdom with her fellow writers.

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Sarah Angleton

Sarah is a storyteller and history buff who has degrees in both zoology and literature and still isn’t quite sure what she wants to be when she grows up. A Midwestern girl at heart, she spent a brief time living and writing in the beautiful Pacific Northwest before settling near St. Louis where she currently resides with her husband, two sons, and a very loyal dog. Her first work of historical fiction will be available soon from High Hill Press. You can find her online at www.Sarah-Angleton.com.

Here are my interview questions for Sarah.

1. How did degrees in zoology and literature prepare you to create “The Practical Historian” blog?

I think it was learning how to combine my two fields of study that led me toward an interest in history, something I didn’t particularly enjoy studying in school. As a grad student in literature and creative writing I started doing a lot of research into the voyage writings of naturalists of the 18^th an 19^th centuries. Because of my background, I was uniquely prepared to approach their works as both literary and scientific, and so I discovered that one field nicely informed the other. They are linked by their shared history. I love discovering links. It’s what I do on the blog as well, though not typically between zoology and literature. Instead I look for the connections I might make between the historical and the modern. It’s just how my mind likes to work.

2. Where do you get your ideas for topics for your blog posts?

Topics come to me from all over the place. Some are sparked by events related to the date I’ll be posting. Others come from my experiences through the week leading up to the post, including places I’ve traveled, events I’ve attended, or even documentaries or podcasts I’ve come across. Occasionally friends and family suggest topics that turn into interesting posts. I’m always on the lookout for potential topics, and I tend to jot down a lot of notes and take a lot of pictures. I am always aware that even if the stories I come across don’t fit well into a post at the moment, they still might come in handy later.

3. How did you come up with the title for your blog?

When I started the blog, I had recently finished writing the rough draft of my first historical novel, a project that required a great deal of careful, thorough research. I once heard the difference between writing history and writing historical fiction is that with history, you have to write around the gaps, and in fiction, you can feel free to fill them. I love history, but I love story more, and I’m a big fan of filling in the gaps. So when I started the blog, I was very aware of the fact that I could not claim to be an expert historian, that I couldn’t sustain the level of research required to write with real authority week after week, and that I couldn’t refrain from gap-filling. It was important to me to be honest with my audience about that. I decided I wouldn’t focus the overly important, highly analyzed historical moments. Instead, I’d stick to the tales that painted a picture of the sillier side of the human condition, add a few splashes of my own personal story, and just make it a fun space to share practically true history that might not seem all that important in the big picture, but that might add a little interest to my readers’ days.

4. What process do you use to conduct your blog research?

That can vary a lot by topic. I’ve stated on the blog that I rarely use a primary source, which isn’t exactly true. I do generally start with the best hearsay the Internet has to offer, but some of these stories are just lifted from one site to another with no verification whatsoever. If there’s a reference to be chased down, like to a historical work, I chase it down and read it from the source. Sometimes that means the post falls apart because (and I know this will come as a shock) not everything repeated again and again on the Internet is true. Now, there are many times when it’s not possible for me to consult with a primary source, so I look for the most reliable source I can find. Though I joke about Wikipedia, and I do use it, I always seek verification from expert sources. And I hedge what I don’t know. As I stated before, I never want to speak with an authority I can’t rightfully claim and I always try to be honest with my reader about that. But I am a storyteller, and the blog is as much humor as it is fact, so when all else fails, I make stuff up.

5. What process did you use to select the posts included in Launching Sheep and Other Stories?

First, I looked for posts that were not overly dependent on a single event that though probably was very much in the minds of my readers at the time, is now most likely forgotten. I also needed posts that don’t rely too heavily on photos. I use a lot of photos on the blog, but didn’t want to go through the process of attaining rights for their use in the book. And then of those, I looked for the ones I enjoyed the most, the ones I still liked to read, even though I wrote them and probably already read them at least a few dozen times.

6. In one post you mention your zeal for the board game Monopoly. Do you have a favorite token? And, how do you feel about the planned replacement of the thimble, the boot, and the wheelbarrow with a Tyrannosaurus rex, a penguin, and a rubber ducky?

I’m definitely not as angry about the change as some journalists seem to be, or as willing to assign broad cultural meanings to the change. The boot has always been a favorite of mine and I suppose I’m a little sad to see it go. But what really determines the quality of a Monopoly token is its height. My favorite tokens have always been the ones that are easiest to grasp with a quick pinch. It looks like the T. rex and the penguin might fit the bill. I’m not as sure about the ducky, but I’d be willing to take it for a spin past Go! Hasbro left the fates of the game tokens in the hands of the public, and who am I to question the results? I still have a classic copy of the game and can pull out the boot any time I want.

7. How has watching the movie The Princess Bride affected your writing?

The Princess Bride taught me all of the elements of a truly great story: “Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles,” and maybe just a little bit of kissing. But on a more serious note, I fell in love with the movie as a young girl because the characters are memorable and the dialogue is witty. I think if a writer can pull that off, then she’s probably gone a long way toward producing something worth reading.

8. What can you tell us about your lessons learned from the start-to-finish process of publishing a book, from research, writing, editing, revising, cover design, marketing, etc?

I suppose the biggest lesson I learned is that it’s not easy. There’s still a stigma associated with self-published books and though it’s lessening as the industry changes, I think it will always be with us. As an author who has worked with both processes, I can say with certainty that neither is especially easy.

The options for self-publishing can be overwhelming. There are many publishing companies that offer services from start to finish, from editing to cover design to marketing. It’s really easy to spend a lot of money to produce a final product and going that route definitely means you also give up some creative control. On the other end of the spectrum, there are services out there that simply provide the tools for authors to do everything themselves. Most writers are probably not equipped to handle every aspect of publishing on their own, so I think the important thing is to strike the balance that feels most comfortable to the individual author.

I opted to hire a freelance editor whose work was already familiar to me and a brilliant cover designer I already knew I could work with well. I did the book formatting myself after a lot of research into the various services available, and I admit, also a great deal of frustration. Really, the research is the most important part. The great thing about writers is that we tend to love to share our experiences and so I listened and read and learned and probably avoided a lot of pitfalls because I took the time to do that.

For me the hardest part has simply been figuring out the business end of marketing and selling books. I kept discovering little details (and hidden expenses) I never considered before, like the need to purchase isbns, start up a personal imprint, and prepare to handle sales tax. It’s been a long road, but by going through this process of self-publishing, and viewing the industry from another angle, I know that I have come out of it better prepared for a successful career in traditional publishing.

9. On the topic of marketing, what can you tell us about upcoming events, including your book launch, author talks, and book signings?

My first event will be a signing at 6 North Café in Wentzville (next to B&B Theatre) on Saturday, May 13 from 10 am to 12 pm. Friday, June 2, I’ll be at Our Town Books on the Square in Jacksonville, Illinois, from 5 to 7 pm. You can also catch up with me at Gateway Con in St. Louis the weekend of June 16-18, where I’ll be selling books and meeting readers.

10. What advice do you have for bloggers and writers?

Keep at it. I’ve found that blogging is, more than anything else, a great way to find a worldwide community, one that is committed to sharing and interacting with one another’s art. That’s a pretty special thing. It encourages me to always be writing. Some weeks are hard, but I know that if I don’t produce something new, there are people all over the country and as far away as New Zealand who will notice and wonder why. Keeping to a blog schedule also encourages me to work really hard to schedule writing time. I have goals for my fiction, and because I have to work around researching and writing a blog post, I’m much better at protecting my time on all my projects. Building a writing career takes time and effort. The first step is to just keep on writing.

11. What project are you working on now?

My first historical novel, Smoke Rose to Heaven, the one that I began all those years ago, is tentatively scheduled for traditional publication this fall, so I am working through the final steps of that process. I’m also polishing a novel that is a companion to that one. In addition, I’m working through a revision of the first novel in a young adult series that I’m hoping to start pitching to agents and editors soon. And of course, I’m blogging every week.

12. What’s the best way for readers to contact you with questions or if they would like to purchase a copy of Launching Sheep and Other Stories?

Both print and e-formats of the book can be ordered through Amazon or anywhere books are sold. Readers can contact me through my website, www.Sarah-Angleton.com, where they’ll have the opportunity to sign up for e-mail updates and will find links to my profiles on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, as well as the latest post from the Practical Historian.

13. In homage to your post on page 113, “The Completely Rational Fear of Triskaidekaphobia,” here’s your final question—number 13: Do you have any final thoughts or anything you’d like to add?

How lucky that post wound up on page 113! I think the only thing I might add is that as much hard work as goes into writing and producing books I could not do any of this without the support of so many amazing people. Writing can seem like a lonely profession, but I know for certain I could never be successful if I treated it that way. I have been blessed to be a part of several professional writers’ organizations, critique groups, and workshops. I’ve been involved in online writers’ forums, attended conferences, and had opportunities to interact with writers from all over the world. Without the amazing energy of the larger writing community, I’d honestly be too frozen in fear to ever let another human being read my work. I am so very grateful to be able to do this.

Thank you so much for the thoughtful questions, Donna!

And thank you, Sarah, for your thoughtful answers!

Sarah will have her first book signing event at 6 North Café in Wentzville (next to B & B Theatre) on Saturday, May 13 from 10 am to 12  pm.

CCMWG's Write Direction Conference 2014

The Columbia Chapter of the Missouri Writers' Guild will hold its annual  "Write Direction" conference on Saturday, October 18, 2014, from 8:30-4:00 at the Unity Center, 1600 W. Broadway in Columbia, MO. 

Early-bird registration (by Sep 26) is only $35 for CCMWG members and $40 for non-members. 

Registration includes:

* Choice of break-out sessions,

* Sales/exhibition space in author’s hall,

* Breakfast snacks, lunch, afternoon tea

Keynote speaker Terry Allen will talk about "Writing Dialogue" and "Writing in Shadows and Fog." Dr. Allen is Professor Emeritus of Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire who taught courses in playwriting, directing, acting, stage movement, theatre history, theatre of the Holocaust, and American cinema for thirty-four years. 

Alan Proctor: "Submitting your Poetry: What Poetry Editors Want." Alan Proctor is a poetry editor for Kansas City Voices, a former humor columnist, tree surgeon, Vice President of a public university and classical guitarist. 

Mary Horner: "Write like a pro to sell your nonfiction writing." Mary is the author of Strengthen Your Nonfiction Writing, a guide to help you write like a professional. She teaches communications at St. Louis and St. Charles Community Colleges. 

Linda Rodriguez: "Riding the Tiger: Writing and Publishing Novels with a Big Five Publisher in a Chaotic Time of Transition."  Linda Rodriguez’s third Skeet Bannion novel, Every Hidden Fear (St. Martin’s/Minotaur), will be published May 5, 2014. 

Mary-Lane Kamberg: “What’s So Funny?” Put your sense of humor on paper. Her workshop includes practical advice for using humor in poetry and following the narrative form for humorous essays. Mary is a professional writer with more than twenty years’ experience. She is the author of 27 books. Her articles have appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Marriage and Family Living, Christian Science Monitor, Healthy Kids and many others.

Gerado Mena:  "Unleashing your Inner Voice." His workshop includes generating material, sifting, and creating poems using modern structural techniques. War Poetry: (Closing Session) Iraq.  In this workshop he will read from his poetry book The Shape of Our Faces No Longer Matters and will share his journey from a head full of bad memories to a book of war poems. Gerardo Mena is a decorated Iraqi Freedom veteran. He spent six years in Spec Ops with the Reconnaissance Marines and was awarded a Navy Achievement Medal with a V for Valor for multiple acts of bravery.  His poetry and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Ploughshares, Best New Poets 2011, Ninth Letter, and elsewhere.

For complete details, visit the CCMWG site.

It's Official: I'm a Top Ten Finalist in the 2014 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition

Although I learned about my Erma Bombeck contest finish days ago from a friend on Facebook, I've been waiting for confirmation before posting this announcement on my blog.

Late yesterday afternoon I received official e-mail notification from Debe Dockins, with the Community Relations Department of the Washington-Centerville Public Library.

I'm thrilled to announce that my essay, "Remembering Miss Tobin," was a top-ten finalist in the 2014 Erma Bombeck Global - Human Interest Category.

The Erma Bombeck Writing Competition is hosted every two years by the University of Dayton and the Washington-Centerville Public Library in Centerville, Ohio, "where Erma wrote the books and columns that launched her national fame."

According to the Humor Writers Organization website, The 2014 Erma Bombeck Writing Competition attracted 853 entries from 48 states and 13 countries. (Note: That is total entries; I don't know how many were in the category I entered.)

Included in my e-mail notification were judges' comments and suggestions. Because most of my blog visitors are writers who want to improve their craft, I thought I'd share excerpts of the judges' comments here:

One judge remarked that "This is a wonderful human interest story, written with a strong clear voice. It needs a bit of the subtle humor that Erma would have brought to this story . . ."

Another commented my piece was ". . . a celebration of youth and decency and strength. I like the detail, the warmth and the soul here, so, so tender. . . ."

I'm grateful to the Washington-Centerville Public Library and the University of Dayton for keeping the memory and accomplishments of Erma alive through the competition and workshop. 

I'm also grateful to the judges, not only because they found merit in my essay, but also for taking time to give such thoughtful and encouraging feedback.

Most of all, I'm grateful to the late Erma Bombeck for sharing her wit, wisdom, and heart-warming stories with millions of readers -- and for continuing to inspire writers like me.

Call for Anthology Submissions - A Shaker of Margaritas: A Bad Hair Day

Bad hair day? Don't fret. Write about it!

Mozark Press has just announced a call for humorous fiction stories (no poetry or essays) for A Shaker of Margaritas: A Bad Hair Day.

According to the publisher's e-mail announcement about the anthology, "a bad hair day is one of those days when things don’t go according to plan; in fact, it is as horrible as a bad perm or hair that turns green—unintentionally. Things go wrong, but with humor, stubbornness, and attitude—the female protagonist can survive any kind of bad hair day."


Submissions deadline is July 15, 2012
Approximately 20-25 stories will be selected for the anthology.
Contributors will be paid $20 upon publication.

For submissions guidelines visit the "Bad Hair Day" page.
I've had stories in two A Shaker of Margaritas anthologies and can attest that Linda Fisher does a first-class job as editor. The Shaker of Margaritas anthologies are fun to read--and the covers are lovely!
 
Good luck if you submit!

Notes from the Erma Bombeck Workshop - Plot, Character, and Self-Hypnosis

 Anyone who knows me knows what a note taker I am. Maybe it's because my first full-time job out of high school was as a clerk-stenographer for the Army then later as a secretary-steno for the Air Force, where I was a transcribing fool. Or maybe it's because I retain more when I write it down.

Any rate I have pages of notes from last month's EB Workshop, and going over them is like reliving my experience.

The first session I attended on Friday was Katrina Kittle's "Which Comes First: Plot or Character?"

Here's some of what I jotted down:

Get to know your character by asking relevant questions (not ones like what's her favorite color)

The point is to get to the character's motivation (her yearning, need, what is she fighting for?)

Understand character's motivation by asking questions:

Name of character?

What does she want?

If she doesn't get what she wants what will happen?

Make it matter more

Make it matter more

Create conflict to prevent her from getting what she wants

Example of Story versus not a Story:

The cat sat on the mat (not a story)

The cat sat on the other cat's mat (Story because of conflict)

Avoid predictability.

Life is never either/or; it's and, and, and, and, and/but, and/ or . . .

Avoid relentless pace. Give the reader time to breathe.

Make the ending inevitible, but take the reader by surprise

Show motivation right away, but don't state it. Make it clear by actions.

Don't overexplain.

Start with Change

Don't include a lot of back story up front.

Ask yourself: Does the reader need to know this? Does the reader need to know this right now?

Knowing your character means knowing your structure; therefore, Plot is Character.

Kittle recommended the book The Heroe's Journey to learn more about structure.

The next session I attended was "Hypnotic Recall fills the Creative Well" with Suzette Martinez Standring (on left).

Martinez Standring is the award-winning author of The Art of Column Writing and the TV host of "It's All Write with Suzette." She also is a formerly certified hypnotherapist who applies guided imagery techniques to writing.

At the beginning of the session she explained that because the conscious mind gets in the way of our creativity, by delving into the subsconcious, writers can be more honest, brave, and authentic in their writing.  Then she took us through a self-hypnosis exercise to tap into our creativity and emerge with vivid, five sensory details to use in our writing.

Some ways she suggested to unleash (no pun intended) creativity are taking the dog on a walk, meditating, daydreaming, listening to music.

Here are some notes I jotted down:

Don't own any negativity that surfaces

Gain from your memories

We remember what we know best

Mine your subconscious

The subconscious won't take you to a place if it's too painful

Surrender and let go; be open and be present in the moment

When an image or thought comes to the surface, ask, Why are you telling me this?

Writing has a healing ability.

Humor has a powerful healing ability (Tragedy over time can lead to humor)

Savor "Holy Ghost" moments when inspiration hits

Suzette's workshop was a powerful experience. While I don't know if I was hypnotized, I felt extremely relaxed. At one point I felt my head droop, but I became alert when someone behind started to cry and the back door in the room opened and closed a few times.

By the end of the session, my sister Kathleen discovered her shoes had fallen off, but she didn't feel them fall. The relexation exercise did work because afterwards I wrote down some vivid images that came to mind.

Question: Have you ever been hypnotized? If so, how was the experience for you?

P.S. In future posts I'll share more of my workshop notes and experiences. Because, note taker that I am, I need to type out my notes somewhere, so it might as well be on my blog.

Erma Bombeck Celebration at the Centerville Library

On April 18, I participated in the Erma Bombeck Celebration Evening at the Centerville Library in Ohio. The library is cozy and cheerful, and I love the huge stack of wooden books displayed out front. 

The celebration's featured speaker was syndicated humor columnist and author of Rebel Without a Minivan, Tracy Beckerman. Tracy is not only side-splitting funny, she is also wise and sweet.

During the ride in the van to the event with Tracy and Michele Wojciechowski (Wojo), I felt like I was in the midst of comedy queens who have insight into the world of journalism. Both ladies were funny and friendly and smart. And Wojo's husband Brad was a perfect gentleman. Humor writer Wanda Argersinger, an honorable mention winner in the global humor category, also rode in the van with us. Wanda hurt her foot in the Atlanta airport, but she was a trooper as she hobbled through the library to the meeting room.

The room began to fill early, and there was standing room only by the time the program began.

People of all ages attended the event. Two young boys sat with their parents in the front row. A woman around my age brought her white-haired, 92-year-old mother. The older woman used a cane to find a seat near the front, but she was spry and alert and attentive. The 92-year-old spoke with my sister Kathleen, who accompanied me on the trip. During their conversation, the woman shared memories of Erma Bombeck and Phil Donahue, who were neighbors.

Debe Dockins, Centerville Public Library's cool, calm, and collected competition coordinator, facilitated the festivities, with audiovisual help from Sue (whose last name I didn't write down). Sue also works at the library.

I was surprised and pleased when Krysten Hager showed up to listen to me read. Krysten and I got to know one another through the Women on Writing website. We have been Facebook friends for a couple of years -- from the time Krysten 's husband was stationed in Portugal -- before their move to Ohio.

At the celebration, Tracy's hilarious talk included her experience at the Dayton airport. After Tracy's performance, three first-place winners of the 2012 competition (including me) read their entries.

Local winner Gina Sandoval, accompanied by her younger son holding his light saber, delighted us with her funny and charming story "The Force." I followed with my essay, "Honey, Can I Borrow Your Garter Belt?" People laughed when I hoped they would, so I guess it was funny. Then Christina (Tina) Cahall read her sweet essay "Rebel in a Cashmere Coat." Debe rounded out the evening by reading Alison McDonough's beautifully written "That's Him All Over." Alison wasn't able to make the trip, but her presence was felt through her moving essay about her late son.

During and after the program, Kathleen attempted to take photos, but my camera misbehaved badly. Note to self: Time to buy a less tempermental camera.

At the end of the event, the 92-year old woman wound her way to my side. A smile widened her face as she patted my hand and told me, "I'm happy to see that elderly women like me are still writing."  
 
I wasn't sure if I should laugh or cry, so I nodded my thanks and smiled. Wait? Doesn't smiling cause wrinkles?
 
The weather that evening was lovely. As the sun began to set we climbed back into the van. The sky turned from blue to purple and the stars made their presence known, and I thanked my lucky stars to have been a part of such a memorable experience.

More on the workshop later this week.

I Won the Erma Bombeck Humor Writing Contest!

I'm in shock.

This afternoon I received a call from the Erma Bombeck Contest Coordinator at the Washington Centerville Public Library in Dayton, Ohio, telling me my humorous essay, "Honey, Can I Borrow Your Garter Belt?"  won first place in the Erma Bombeck Writing Contest.

My hands are still shaking as I type this. I tried to write down the coordinator's comments, but I don't think I got them all.

In a nutshell, I won $500 and admission to the workshop in Dayton ($375 value) if I want to attend. My essay will be published in the Dayton Daily news, and press releases will be sent to local newspapers. My essay will also be printed in the program for the Erma Bombeck celebtation on April 18th.

The first-round judges loved the "hoochie grandma" line, and the final judge commented that "Strunk and White would be proud of this writer's economy of words."

When I find out more details, I will post them here.

Special thanks to my critique group for their suggestions to improve my essay.

And I'm still in shock.

Monday is Pun Day

Sorry for my infrequent posts lately, but I have a few deadlines that I'm working on and need to finish.

It's been said that puns are the basest form of humor, but for some reason when I read or hear most puns, I can't help myself from laughing. And who can't use a dose of humor each day?

So, to brighten your Monday, I thought I'd share the rest of the puns sent to me by Barb, a teacher-friend.  The first one is dedicated to poets. 

* A backward poet writes inverse.

* Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. (This one took a while to sink in.)

* Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

* Two hats were hanging on a hat rack in the hallway. One hat said to the other: "You stay here. I'll go on a head." (Childish humor, but I chuckled.)

* I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me. (Got it!)

*  The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large. (No offense meant to any vertically-challenged folks.)

* If you jumped off the bridge in Paris, you'd be in Seine.

* Two hydrogen atoms meet. One says, 'I've lost my electron.' The other says 'Are you sure?' The first replies, 'Yes, I'm positive.'

And I'm positive this is the last batch of puns--but if you have any you'd like to add, feel free.

Happy Monday!

Punny Stuff: Puns for the Educated Mind

The other day a teacher-friend forwarded an e-mail to me with more than two dozen "puns for the educated mind." I thought I'd share some of them today. With a few of them I had to read twice before the sly humor hit me. Thanks, Barb, for sending them to me.

The fattest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference. He acquired his size from too much pi.

I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island, but it turned out to be an optical Aleutian.

She was only a whiskey maker, but he loved her still.

A rubber band pistol was confiscated from algebra class, because it was a weapon of math disruption.

No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.

A grenade thrown into a kitchen in France would result in Linoleum Blownapart.

Two silk worms had a race. They ended up in a tie.

Hope you enjoy!

Humorous Headlines from Women's Day Magazine

I could use a laugh today. How about you?

Writing is not an easy job, and working on deadline can cause writers to make mistakes on copy or accidentally create something funny, like these ten hilarious newspaper headlines on the Women's Day Magazine website.

My favorites are: "Missippi's literacy program shows improvement," "Students cook and serve grandparents," and "Get 50% off or half price, whichever is less."

Here are my questions:

Which of the ten are your favorites?

Do you have any headlines to share that have made you laugh out loud?

Have you ever accidentally written anything with a humorous double meaning?

An Interview with Humor Writer Celia Rivenbark

Today in St. Peters, MO: Partly cloudy, high 80 degrees. Another beautiful day.

As part of the WOW! Women on Writing Author's Blog Tour, I'm tickled pink to have as my guest today Celia Rivenbark, a flat-out-funny writer from North Carolina. So far I've read three of her books published by St. Martin's Press: Belle Weather, Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like A Skank, and her latest book, which includes some yummy recipes, You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start In The Mornin'. Her books are guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Here are my interview questions for Donna's Book Pub (DBP) and Celia Rivenbark's (CR) answers:

DBP: Humor is so hard to write, yet you make it seem effortless. How did you get started as a writer? And how would you describe Southern-style humor?

CR: I started as a newspaper reporter for my hometown paper, circ. 3,500. It was a terrific experience because I was the ONLY reporter most of the time and covered everything from weddings and ribbon-cuttings to murders and arson. Often these were in the same day. It’s a wonder I didn’t throw rice at a bank robbery. Southerners usually have a very self-deprecating style of humor, preferring to make themselves the butt of the joke. We’re great storytellers and often tell long, looping jokes and stories that would drive someone else completely mad. Much of our humor is inspired by the crazies in our families.

DBP: Speaking of families, you write about events and situations that have happened to your family, friends, neighbors—even celebrities. Any fallout from family, friends, or neighbors? Have any celebrities contacted you about what you’ve written about them? Britney Spears, maybe?

CR: Friends and family names are disguised well enough that they don’t take offense. As for celebrities, I’ve only had one, Kathy Ireland, who took me to task for a potshot. I don’t care; it was a good joke and she’s a big girl; she should be able to take it.

DPB: In one of your books you wrote about the response you got to a column you wrote about Clay Aiken. Which of your columns has gotten the most response or the most passionate letters from your readers?

CR: Without a doubt, the biggest volume of mail I’ve ever received came from a column I wrote about the stitch-and-bitch knitting groups springing up. I’m still getting hate mail on that one. Apparently they thought I was quite serious. Like I said at the time, I fully expected to come home one day and find a tiny little knitted horse’s head on my bed. I understand it in a way. You see, not all newspapers that pick up my column run it every week or even every month so people unfamiliar with my byline think I’m a Serious Journalist. The Clay Aiken fans wanted to roast me on a spit for “implying” that he might be gay. This, I should add, isn’t a slam in my book; gay men love me! I never heard from any of them after he finally, mercifully came out.

DBP: That's so funny. What is the most surprising, stupid, annoying, fill-in-the-blank comment you’ve received from a reader?

CR: It’s not just one; it’s the mail from people who, again, don’t get the joke. I got some pretty hateful stuff from people who take medicine for Restless Leg Syndrome for a column I wrote lampooning the drug for the ailment. Side effects include “casino gambling.” Are you kidding? That’s hysterical! They insisted I was making fun of their disease. It was idiotic.

DBP: I love the recipes you’ve included in You Can’t Drink All Day if You Don’t Start in the Mornin'. In fact, I’m going to make some “You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw” Apple Enchiladas for my Bunco group. Where did you get the fabulous idea to include recipes in with your book? And, how do you make Firefly Sweet-Tea Vodka?

CR: I was talking to my mom about the book and saying that it was coming up a little short, content-wise, and she said, “Why don’t you do like that nice Doris Roberts and write a book with recipes?” So there you have it. The harpy mother from “Everybody Loves Raymond” reruns decided the book’s fate. But I really did love doing the recipes and found that it was very easy to fit them in with the chapters. As to the vodka, it’s available at your likker store and it’s quite delicious.

DPB: Your mother is a wise woman. I'm glad you took her advice and included the recipes. Switching gears a bit, what were your favorite books, or who were your favorite authors growing up?

CR: Growing up I devoured all the Nancy Drew mysteries, of course, and still have a weird crush on Ned Nickerson. Later, I read a lot of political books and biographies. I read all of Hunter S. Thompson’s gonzo journalism stuff and loved that. Now I read mostly novels written by Southerners or people with a Southern sensibility. I just finished “The Help” and on my nightstand right now you’ll find Pat Conroy’s new book, Elizabeth Edwards’ “Resilience” and Ruth Reichl’s “Comfort Me With Apples.” I love to read cookbooks and food-themed novels. Very satisfying.

DPB: Nancy Drew books were my favorites growing up, too. The other books you mentioned sound interesting. I'll have to check them out. Most of my visitors are writers, and as writers, we're curious types, so I have to ask: What’s most gratifying about being a writer? Most disappointing?

CR: Gratifying? You make your own hours and you define how the work is going to be done, what direction it will go. I like the solitude of just me and the computer. Most disappointing? That I’ve written five humor collections and still haven’t hit the “Times” list. But I’m not giving up!

DBP: That's the spirit! With your writing style and humor, I'm sure one day we'll see your name on the top of the "Times" and other best-seller lists. Here's another question about writing: what’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received? The worst?

CR: Best advice: “Read great writing." It really is true. If I’m blocked, I’ll just sit and read something wonderful for an hour or so and it really helps. Worst advice: “Don’t quit your day job.” In fact, I did, and, although I sometimes miss the camaraderie of being in the newsroom, it was the right decision for me.

DBP: Thanks for sharing that advice. I for one am glad you quit your day job to write books full-time, because I enjoy reading them. So, Celia, what are you working on now? Are you still thinking about writing a vampire cat novel you mentioned at the end of your latest book?

CR: I have a contract with St. Martin’s Press to write two more humor collections and I’m working on the first of those now. I think I might do something with the redneck vampire but it’ll probably just be a chapter in the collection. I’ve also got a fantastic idea for a children’s book that I’d love to do after that.

DBP: Redneck Vampire, I love it! Your children's book also sounds great! I'm sure my blog visitors want to find out more about you and keep up with what's going with your books, so what’s the best way for readers to find out about upcoming book signings, appearances, or other events?

CR: Visit my brand new, just redesigned website, celiarivenbark.com and click on “Y’all come!” I love meeting readers in person. It really is my favorite part of the job. I mean, besides cashing the checks.

DBP: Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us today. I surely do appreciate it, and good luck with your current book and future projects. Your writing definitely makes me laugh.

Final Note: One lucky visitor who leaves a question or comment for Celia will receive an advance readers' edition of Celia's latest book, You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start In The Morning. So, don't be shy, ask away!