I have done a few interviews on some book blogs this year and have always enjoyed it. But then I thought, what would I say in an interview as a reader? Solution? Interview myself! So I did.  Then, in Part II, I interview myself as an author this time. I hope you enjoy them!

Part I: Leon Stevens, Author interviews Leon Stevens, Reader

Today we sit down with Leon Stevens, the reader. We haven’t chatted for a while, how have you been?

   -I’m doing well, thanks for asking!

Tea?

   -Oh, yes please.

 [clinking of fine china teacups]

Say when.

   -When?

When you want me to stop pouring.

   -Can’t you tell when it’s full?

[silence]

Well then, enough of the small talk. Let’s get started, shall we? First question:

What was the first book that you remember reading?

   -Ever?

Yes.

   -Wow, that’s a great question.

I thought it was.

   -I guess if I try to remember all the way back, I’d have to say, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

That’s the one with all the holes in the pages through the apples.

   -Yup. I think that I got my finger stuck in one of them.

I think we all did.

[laughter]

Any others worth mentioning?

   -I do recall reading Curious George, Pippi Longstocking, Hardy Boys, and I liked pop-up books. Oh, and the Highlights magazines.

Next Question: What was the first book that fascinated you?

   -That’s an easy one, A Wrinkle in Time.

Why that one?

   -My fifth-grade teacher read it to us. I looked forward to that time. He was a great reader, and I was sad when the book ended. It was a kind of a dark adventure for that age group. 

Did you like reading?

   -I didn’t dislike it, but I wasn’t a voracious reader.

Were you encouraged to read?

   -I think so. My dad would read to me at bedtime. He would make space stories for me. I later found out, when I started reading science fiction on my own, that many of those stories were ones he had read before. I don’t fault him for it. It was funny reading a story and thinking, “Hey, Dad didn’t make that up!”

Do you have a favorite genre, or do you have a variety of interests?

   - I usually read science fiction, and I prefer the older works over new. I do enjoy historical non-fiction, especially about explorers. I do enjoy some fantasy from time to time, as well as crime dramas.

What book have you re-read the most?

   -I would have to say, Klondike by Pierre Burton, followed by Alive by Piers Paul Read, and The Chronicles of Narnia.

Favorite book?

   -Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut.

Any newer books that I might know that you have enjoyed?

   -Umm, you know the same books I do. 

I suppose that’s true …Well?

   -Ready Player One and The Martian would be the most recent. But again, you knew that.

Have you ever not finished a book?

   -Yes.

Care to throw it under the bus?

   -Nope. Not fair to the authors. Sometimes a book just doesn’t fit with the reader.

I understand. Well then, last question: What will you be reading next?

   -I’m waiting for you to finish your science fiction book.

It’s getting there, don’t rush me.

   -I’m just yankin’ your chain, I’ve liked what I have read so far.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

   -I knew you would.

I knew that you knew that I would.

   -I’m not playing that game.

[silence]

I guess we are done then. It has been a pleasure interviewing you.

   -Well, thank you. It was fun! We should do this again.

Agreed!

[sounds of shaking hands (which doesn’t sound like anything…)]

Part II: Leon Stevens, Reader, Interviews Leon Stevens, Author

Today we have the pleasure [eyeroll] of sitting down with Leon Stevens, the author. How have you been?

   - Considering all that has been happening, I have been OK. You?

You know the same as I do. We share a place, remember?

   - Just being polite, you know.

Moving on. You have some exciting news to tell.

   - Had.

What?

   - I had some news. Like a month ago.

Would you like to share it?

   - That’s why we are here, isn’t it?

Yes, indeed. Let me spill the proverbial beans then-

   - I’m not going to clean those up.

[silence]

Do you want me to say it or not?

   - Go ahead.

You published your second book this year, a science fiction book, I believe?

   - That is correct. It’s called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.

Interesting title. How did you come up with that?

   - It’s the first story in the book, and the rest tells you what is in it.

But what does it mean?

   - You will have to read and find out.

I did. You know that.

   - Then why are you asking?

I thought that other readers would like to know.

   - Well, it’s all about how choices that life gives us are not always good things, I guess. It is the shortest story in the book.

You like writing short stories, don’t you?

  - My stories always seem to come to a natural conclusion sooner rather than later. Say what you want about short attention spans…

Do you have a favori—Wait! Where are you going?

   [from another room] - I thought we were done.

No. We are not.

   - Want some coffee?

Sure. Are you using the press?

   - Is there any other way?

Nope.

[elapsed time: 15 minutes]

   - Here you go.

Thank you. Shall we continue?

   - Fire away.

[sipping sounds]

Mmm, good coffee.

   - Thank you. It’s one of my favorite things.

Before the break, I was asking if you have a favorite story?

   - That’s tough. Each story has its charm in how it came about and what ideas I was trying to convey. But if I had to choose—

You do.

   - As I was saying, if I had to choose, it would be Reasonable Hand-drawn Facsimile.

Because?

   - Probably because it has elements of humor. It made me laugh when I thought about it. My editor said that she laughed out loud when she read it. Now, that’s the sign of good humor writing.

Do you consider yourself a humor writer?

   - Quite a bit of my writing has elements of humor, so yes. I like to make people laugh.

There are quite a few post-apocalyptic stories in the book as well, along with poetry. Poetry? What’s up with that?

   - I don’t know which came first, the stories or the poems, but I recall coming up with the idea that sometime in the future, writings from after an apocalyptic event would be found. So naturally, I named the series Found.

That sounds like the premise of the book, A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller Jr.

   - That’s not far off. I didn’t mean it to be, but as I was coming up with the poems, it was a book that came to mind. It is the first post-apocalyptic book that I remember reading.

You write many different styles. Do you think that will limit your appeal by segmenting your readership?

   - Well, I do now. Thanks a lot.

I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.

   - Limiting my appeal? Or writing different styles?

I thought I was asking the questions here…

   - Can’t we have a spirited discourse once and a while?

How long have you been waiting to throw in that word?

   - Quite some time. Impressed?

Very. OK. Back to my point. I’m just worried that your poetry readers won’t like your science fiction stories and vice versa.

   - I’ve thought about that. But if I am inspired to write something, I don’t want to limit myself. I still write poetry. It took me four years to publish my first book of poetry—I’m not going to be able to put out another right away. I hope my readership will embrace my eclectic writing.  It is about entertaining and keeping readers engaged.

And how do you do that?

   - I began to write a blog, which became more of a satirical/humorous take on life. Then when I started my newsletter to keep my readers updated on my writing journey—

Writing journey. I like that.

   - Thank you. Anyhoo, I try to keep my weekly newsletters informative and entertaining. I hope that people read and appreciate them.

Ever thought of doing a podcast?

   - I wouldn’t know where to start. Do you?

Not a clue. Last question: Who are The Miniscules I keep hearing about?

   - You’ve heard about them from other people?

Not really. I just thought that we should mention them.

   - Oh.

They are dear to your heart, are they not?

   - No. Not really. I’d miss them if they went away, though.

But they’re not going anywhere, right?

   - Nope. They still have lots to say.

Well, thank you for taking to time to answer some questions. Any final thoughts?

   - You’re going to clean up those beans, right?

Yes. Not to worry…

   - Don’t forget to take out the garbage when you go.

I’m not going anywhere. I live here.

   - Oh, right. Another cup of coffee?

Please.