Personality Profiles
One of my writing mentors and dear friend, Shelly Lowenkopf, is fond of saying everything a writer experiences in life- good and bad - is fodder. For years before I segued into the writing life, I was a psychiatric nurse practicioner working mostly with people in acute emotional crisis. The interviewing skills honed during those years have served me well in my writing career. Setting a tone that fosters trust between you and your interviewee is the difference between a good vs. mediocre interview.
I interviewed Franz Wisner soon after he sold his book to St Martin's Press. My editor at Coast Magazine, Justine Amodeo, was the first to tell him he should turn lemons into lemonade and write his story. He took her advice. On May 23 2005, Franz will appear on Oprah telling his story in a show titled Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons.
Franz Wisner-'Honeymoon With My Brother'
Kirk is a very smart fellow whose message to gays and anyone that doesn't fit the three-piece business suit stereotype is, "Don't look for a job with hat in hand."
USC Professor Kirk Snyder 'Lavender Road To Success: The Career Guide for the Gay Community'
Loni Anderson at a fundraiser in Newport Beach fascinated me with an account of her early days when she was an art teacher. She's quite 'glam' and quite nice.
Ben Vereen came to an event in California just days after 911. I've met lots of celebrities but no one has touched me as he did that day. A good guy.
Writers that did not start out writing should read this one. Ms. Clark was an airline stewardess back when they were still called by that name. She repeated Shelly Lowenkopf's words, "It's all fodder" and offered tips about writing mysteries that had the audience laughing.
