Q&A with Alyson Noël
Are any of your books inspired by things that happened in your life?
Yes—all of them.
What other profession would you most like to try?
Painter! But only on canvas, not houses!
Five things you may not know about me:
1. My hair has been brown, orange, red, blonde, auburn, black, and purple. Only the purple was an accident and I lived with it for three days, wondering if I should just go with it before I had it fixed.
2. I pronounce the word "thing" like theen, and I don’t do it on purpose.
3. I believe in silver linings, even when all evidence points against it.
4. I got a perfect score singing Bon Jovi’s WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE on Rock Band – twice!
5. If I could go back in time I would travel to Renaissance Florence – but only if I could bring my modern day grooming habits with me!
Did you always want to be a writer?
Well first I wanted to be a mermaid, and then a princess, but the day I finished my first Judy Blume book I knew I wanted to be a writer. I was always an avid reader, starting with Green Eggs and Ham, and progressing through Charlotte’s Web, and all the Little House on the Prairie books. But it was Are you there God? It’s me Margaret, and Deenie, that felt like they were written just for me, and my friends, and all the things we were going through. Those books made me realize how a story could be so much more.
What was your favorite book as a child?
I learned to read with Horton Hatches the Egg, and I still own the original! I even wrote my name on the inside cover, (though the S is backwards). Charlotte’s Web is the first book that ever made me cry (I mean, I was sobbing!), and I think I’ve read Deenie at least 15 times (and I kept the original copy of that one as well)!
What are some of your hobbies?
Even after spending way too many years as a flight attendant, my number one hobby is still travel. Hence my travel size shampoo bottles are always filled up and ready to go on a moment’s notice.
What is your working environment like?
A home office with all the usual things: desk, chair, phone, printer, computer, a bulletin board covered in images that inspire me, along with a steaming cup of green tea and a scented candle always at the ready!
Since starting your career as an author, what are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
That I will always panic the week before a new book comes out, and that this is not likely to change.
That the brilliant ideas that stop by in the middle of the night always disappear by morning.
That it’s never too late to follow your dream, though there’s nothing wrong with getting a head start.
What is your favorite word?
Peace
What is your least favorite word?
Cancer
Saturday evening. Going out or reading a book?
Going out for a nice dinner, but still getting home early enough to read before bed!
Holidays. Beach or Mountains?
Even though I live at the beach, I still like to vacation at the beach!
Country or City?
I LOVE big cities! The energy, the shopping, the restaurants!
Shy or Easy-going?
Easy going, with the occasional bout of inexplicable shyness.
Serious or Funny?
I’m always looking for the funny!
Traveler or not?
Traveler. Big time.
Sporty or not?
Clumsy, uncoordinated, and so not sporty!
The leader in the group or not?
Always the observer.
Favourite…
TV series:
Tie between The Office, Entourage and Dexter.
Movie:
I have so many favourites, but if I have to choose just one then, American Beauty.
Book:
This is torture! Again, I love so many books from so many genres! But since I’ve read Catcher in the Rye a gazillion times I’ll pick that one.
Music:
Classic rock, alternative, blues, jazz…it’s all good!
Food:
French bistro
City:
Paris!
Favorite place to write in:
My home office, it’s got everything I need.
Sentence or motto:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”—Ghandi
What’s the one question no one ever asks and you wish they would?
Bono’s on line two, he says he wants to take you to dinner. What should I tell him?