Interview with Ariel Gore ~

When deciding who I wanted to target for my first interview, I had just finished reviewing a book from my favorite author, Ariel Gore. Being a writer myself, I guess there’s a hint of hero worship, when I think of a single mother, who despite struggle and strife is now a real, live published author. “You mean someone like me could be someone like her?”

So when I emailed her, via her blog, to tell her about my review and see if she would consent to an interview, I didn’t expect a response. What I got, was my interview, with Ariel Gore. :)

Gore’s work was first recommended to me by a close friend, fellow writer and Portland native, who actually gave me the book, How To Become A Famous Writer Before You’re Dead. Still my favorite book.

Later, I read and reviewed Atlas of the Human Heart, for this blog back in April.

Ariel’s Bio from her website, www.arielgore.com...

Ariel’s Bio
“The Indiana Jones of literature,” says ChuckPalahniuk.net.
Author, editor, literary coach.
Her books include Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), the critically acclaimed writing guide How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead (Three Rivers), the Booksense pick novel The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show, the Oregon Book Award finalist Atlas of the Human Heart, and cult classic The Hip Mama Survival Guide.
She founded the award-winning parenting zine Hip Mama back in 1993. Over the years, the zine featured many new and emerging writers. Still, The New Yorker raved: “It’s the quality of the writing that sets Hip Mama apart.”
The Utne Reader said, “Ariel Gore’s transformation from globetrotting teenager to the hippest of mamas reads like a movie script about a Gen-X slacker following her bliss to unlikely success.”
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ariel ran away from high school at age 16 to become an international bag lady. She rambled back home a few years later as a new teen mom. She earned her BA in communications from Mills college and her Master’s degree in journalism from UC Berkeley. She lives in Portland, Oregon. **
I have to say, this was my first interview and having read some of the others here… I could have done better. My questions definitely came from a writer’s perspective, neglecting the mother, the woman. I did try to ask things not already covered in How To Become A Famous Writer Before You’re Dead. I was humbled by Ms. Gore and I didn’t want to burden here with a million questions. I’ll do better next time.

When you click in tomorrow, the following questions will be answered:

~ Which of your books was the easiest/hardest to write? Why?

~ Which of your books is your favorite? Why?

~ What to you read? What authors are your favorite?

~ What would your ideal career be, if you couldn't be an author?

~ If you were to do your career, your life as an author again, what
would you do differently, and why?

~ Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do you pay any attention
to them, or let them influence your writing? When you were young and
friends family, colleagues were your only editors, how much weight did their suggestions receive?

~ Do you find your Zine and blogging interfere or attempt to replace
novel development?

~ Have you ever written anything that you thought would be controversial and found it wasn't? Vice versa?

~ Which question are you most sick of answering in interviews?

~ What is your opinion on the self-publishing, vanity publishers,
traditional, etc... mixed emotions that live among the writing
industry right now?

I so appreciate Ariel taking the time to do this for all of us. I think her insight will be a great point of view, not only for our followers, but for all of our contributing bloggers!!

At the end of this interview tomorrow, there will be a trivia question about the interview or Ariel herself. The first posted answer to that question will receive a free copy of Ariel’s book, Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness.