What is the experience of being a writer like? Is it as enjoyable and thrilling as it is often portrayed, or does it differ from expectations?

It is really enjoyable if you like being inside in front of a computer many hours in the day or evening, looking up facts and reading books for background, and missing out on a lot of TV and movie watching and going to concerts and all that. It’s great if you can take a vacation to the place you’re writing about ( as I did for my book Saving Miss Lillian), and I love to be at book fairs and talk to the readers.

Like anything, it’s not all roses and requires some sacrifice. The thrilling part is when someone tells you they love your book, you get a great review, you get an award.