Goodreads asked William A. Glass:

How do you get inspired to write?

William A. Glass As an NPR fan, I often listen to interviews with authors who appear on shows to promote their memoirs. Many are famous people from politics, entertainment, and business, who have led fascinating lives and hobnobbed with other celebrities. I’m a contrarian, so one day it occurred to me that what the publishing world needed was a memoir by a nobody with few friends. That was my inspiration for writing , 'As Good As Can Be.'

As it turned out, there’s a reason why memoirs by nobodies don’t get written. In my case, I got about halfway through then realized that I hated it. My life has been full of dramatic twists and turns, but the memoir format forced me to include all the tedious bits. Documenting life as a military brat from a crazy family meant listing one move after another along with a never-ending series of family fights. Who wants to read something like that?

Just as it seemed that my writing career was over, it hit me that I could keep the entertaining episodes from my story, throw out the boring repetitive things, and create a well-plotted novel with fictional characters.

So, I started from scratch and out gushed a book I’m happy with. Reviews of 'As Good As Can Be' indicate I’m not the only one who thinks that the ups-and-downs of ordinary people, trying to live life to the fullest, can be fascinating. Now I’m waiting for a call from NPR and a shot to shill my book on Fresh Air!

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