Ask the Author: Paula Wall

“Ask me a question.” Paula Wall

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Paula Wall I was sitting at a small seaside cafe in Mykonos. The wind was hot and dry. The sun so blinding bright I felt stoned. I was gazing at the old windmills in the distance slowly turning round and round, much like my life, when I sensed the child. Black hair. Crystal blue eyes. Sandy feet. Turkish, I thought.

"Allie diyor, eve git," he said.

His mother called. He ran to her and took her hand. He did not look back as they walked down the beach.

"What did he say?" I asked the waiter.

The waiter dismissed it with a shrug. "Allie says, go home."

Of course, we heard wrong. The child said "Allah" not "Allie."
My grandmother Allie had been dead for years.


Paula Wall Hey, Jessica. Good to hear from you. As a matter of fact, we've started editing a new book. I always say the hardest part about writing is putting my derriere in the chair. This past year, I had no excuses. The second hardest part is letting someone read it. I hate to let them go. I tend to live in my books and visit reality. Then I invite a guest over and see the dust through their eyes. My editor wants a sequel. That's a pretty good sign. Thanks for checking in. I hope you'll enjoy your next visit with me.
Bring a broom.
Paula Wall PheoAbbey, I am ashamed beyond words. Somehow I missed your note. Please forgive me. I am the world's worst corresponder. Ask my mother. Thank you for taking the time to write and the time to read. I hope my little books gave you half the joy your note gave me.
Dream big. Anything is possible.
Paula Wall Get a job that has nothing to do with writing.
Paula Wall I never have writer's block. I have chair block.
Paula Wall Hey, Jess! I am and thanks for asking.

I'm of the Hemmingway school. If you talk about it, you lose it

My first year in college, I was invited to a faculty party. I gravitated to a crowd gathered around a woman talking about the novel she was writing, sat down on the floor in front of her and never moved. Gerry had us all mesmerized.

My last year in college, I went to a party, and there was Gerry, surrounded by fans, talking about her novel.
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Epilogue: A few years ago, Gerry invited me to speak at the Women's National Book Association. I asked her, "So, where's the book?" She told me it was sitting in a drawer. I gave her hell and told her, "It's time to birth that baby!"

So, at the age of 84, Gerry Tatham published her first book. I invite you all to read it!
Roger and Out, by Gerry Tatham.




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