Ask the Author: Daphne Russell
Answered Questions (10)
Daphne Russell
The actual plot for my next book is/was a mystery to me until this morning when I realized I have listened to other people's definition of who I am for far too long and I need to define myself for myself by myself. There is no mystery to the fact I wish this insight for everyone. I have a sense of peace today that I have not had for the last 50 years.
Daphne Russell
Benjamin Oliver Miller had been obsessed with guns since he old enough to hold a .22 rifle and shoot the pigeons off the telephone wire that slung low in the dusty backyard of his family's 14ft double-wide in Groomville, Texas.
"At some point, son, you gotta learn some lives matter and some don't," said his dad; "I reckon a nickel a pigeon ought'a giv'ya enough money fer a few Cokes and some bubblegum."
"At some point, son, you gotta learn some lives matter and some don't," said his dad; "I reckon a nickel a pigeon ought'a giv'ya enough money fer a few Cokes and some bubblegum."
Daphne Russell
More than anything I would love to meet Owen Meany. I would prefer to meet Owen, the young man, but I would take any age if it was a possibility.
Daphne Russell
My summer reading list includes Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon and Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in School. Both books will help me with my obsession of changing the American school system.
Daphne Russell
I listen to music, I watch movies, I read, I go to museums, mostly I do anything but write in order to write. If I had a specific technique I would say I drink a glass or more of wine and listen to Reckoner by Radiohead and let it work it's magic on my brain. When I feel the most like controlling I allow myself to be out of control and trust (ultimately) that I was made to write and I have no choice but to keep working at it.
Daphne Russell
The individual growth is worth the torment.
Daphne Russell
Start with one moment in your life that bothers you, that you stumble over, that inhibits you from moving on with your life. Nail that moment in words, no hyperbole, nothing superfluous. Then see what happens to the moment. Most likely you will feel it lift from your psyche, releasing you to write the next moment and the next. Keep writing and eventually these moments will lead you to your book or at least allow you to write what you were meant to write, not what held you back from writing.
Daphne Russell
I am working on a John Irving-eque book about my father as a dad and as a teacher. It will be sprinkled with quirky characters and a controversial protagonist.
Daphne Russell
Luckily, I hit rock bottom about 13 years ago in regard to many different, stupid, decisions I had made. The worst decision actually was the one that lead me to writing and I finished two (non-published) books before I wrote and published this one. I may go back to the other two one day, but I may not.
Daphne Russell
I was a classroom teacher for 29 years and in the last three I poured every ounce of my heart into this work in order to the honor the profession I love and the students I served who deserve more.
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