Questions (and Answers)
The magazine for Dramatists Guild members—which is called The Dramatist Quarterly—asks questions of a member in each issue. Since it’s unlikely I’ll ever be asked for the magazine, I’ve decided to answer the questions here.
What was an early, memorable theatrical experience?
In the 90s, my mom worked at Sears, which had a Ticketmaster outlet, which meant she could get us good tickets for various events. One year (I think it was the same year/season, but if not, it was very close together in time) both My Fair Lady and Camelot toured, and I saw them both. Richard Chamberlain as Henry Higgins and Robert Goulet as Arthur, respectively. And I was just blown away. These planted a real love of old-school musical theatre in me. Later, as an undergrad, I would see Rent and Phantom, and those were cool too, but My Fair Lady remains one of my absolute favorites. And I don’t need revivals of these things, but I’d love to see new works in these styles.
What’s something you wish someone told you when you began your career?
Anything. I feel like no one has ever told me much, even now. I’d love for someone to tell me things.
Who is the person who made the biggest impact on your career?
My best friend’s mom. She introduced me to Shakespeare and also was involved in a local community theatre, so my best friend and I spent weekends helping out. We painted sets, catalogued wardrobes, worked the ticket window… I loved it. And to this day she’s still encouraging me.
What are you reading right now?
You can always check my YouTube for my recent and current reads, but right now I’m finishing a re-read of The Queen of the Damned and am also reading The Business of Being a Writer. I’m also in rehearsals for Always a Bridesmaid, so of course I’m reading that over and over as I learn my lines.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
To never read the reviews. I’ve found that, when someone says something nice, I feel good for just a little while. But if someone says something unkind, it stays with me forever and drains my motivation. So my husband vets my reviews and feeds me whatever he thinks is useful or necessary. And I can then focus on moving forward instead of looking behind.
When you’re in despair with a piece of work, how do you maneuver out of that?
I have a couple of tactics. If I’ve written myself into a corner, I flowchart what’s happening in the story, who is doing what and why, and figure out a path forward. Sometimes, though, I just need a break. So I will go work on a puzzle or a LEGO project. And sometimes I just turn my attention to a different writing project entirely. I always have several going, in a variety of genres, so if my brain is stuck on one, I can pivot to a completely different type of story or format.
How do you measure success?
It depends on the project. I know some are niche, at which point success may only be finishing it and feeling satisfied with the result. But of course I like having my work produced or published. I’m happy and feel successful when that happens, or when I’m asked to write and/or contribute something for theatres or events. I also feel successful when asked to participate in conferences, or even sometimes when just asked to read and provide feedback on others’ works. All these things can feel validating.
As a writer, what have you not done that you’ve always wanted to do?
Spent a few months in a little cottage somewhere to focus on my writing. LOL. That is the dream, though, isn’t it? And I’d love to finally have an agent that sticks or, again, to be part of conferences and that sort of thing. I’ve done a little of that but not nearly to the extent or at the level I’d most like to.
Whose work do you drop everything to see?
Shakespeare? I mean, not really, but I’ll almost always go see a Shakespeare play, whether done in the traditional sense or in some new, modern version. I’m fascinated by the multitude of takes on his works. My husband loves Tom Stoppard plays, so we’ll usually go to those, too.
What’s next?
Well, as mentioned, I’m actually performing for the first time in almost 30 years, so I’m in rehearsals for that. And I have a couple monologues that have been selected for performance (no dates yet), and a couple other pieces that might also be performed at our town’s Art Walk in October. Meanwhile, I have a book coming out in November and I’m working on the sequel that is set to release next July. And I’ll be at the Kauai Writers Conference in November, too. So I’m pretty busy! But after about a year of not doing any writing, I’m happy to be in the throes of it again.