Hello PJ,
Thanks for answering some questions for us. Let’s start with the most important one, what has been your biggest influence on becoming a writer?
The biggest influence on my becoming a writer was and has been family and friends' attitude. They seldom wanted to read anything that I had written because in their eyes trying to be a writer was just not feasible. My deceased mom on the other hand encouraged me to at the very least try my hand at writing. So, both factions propelled me toward this life. My mom liked singing opera, mezzo-soprano, but never had the chance to further her dream. She sought out small opportunities to sing when she could in community productions. Since she could not fulfill her dream, I am trying to live mine and honor her. The rest of my distant family and a few of my friends are still disbelievers and say I'll be in the poor house for following my heart. I just ignore them and keep on stepping.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I adore watching RuPaul's Drag Race, The Bill Maher Show and eating unreal amounts of popcorn.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?
I'd be in France right now. I love that freakin' country. I have a thing about castles. I admire all the labor that went into creating those masterpieces. I also like the great views, the nonchalance of the people. I love it when the workers go on strike. They just don't give a rat's ass. They strike for everything. They get their issues out there. I'd also visit Portugal and Spain again.
One thing people don't know about me.
I am extremely political. Politics bore many here in the States, until it touches them, then... Don't get me started.
One thing you'd say to readers if you could.
One thing I'd like to say to readers is: give new authors a try. Stay with your tried and true, but try to find it in your budget to sample one new author a month. Let that author know what you thought of their work. Also, please remember writing takes a while and takes a lot out of some writers. I say it's akin to giving birth.
Thanks for listening or reading!
PJ Dean
www.diverseviews.vpweb.com