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Leanne Shirtliffe Interview 6/1/2013 5:50:14 PM
Canadian Humorist Leanne Shirtliffe discusses her first book Don't Lick the Minivan (and Other Things I Never Thought I'd Say to My KIds) and the writing life! LTS: During my life as an author I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some of the writers that I feature here. One of funniest and talented authors I’ve met so far is the lovely Leanne Shirtliffe, the author of Don’t Lick the Minivan (and Other Things I Never Thought I’d Say to My Kids). I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Leanne. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
LS: I enjoy goofing around with my kids and my husband, seeing something/somewhere new, hanging out in bookstores, drinking chai and wine (not mixed), and thinking about my second husband (a.k.a. Colin Firth).
LTS: As a teacher, you’ve been writing stories and helping your students to write their own stories. When did becoming a published author come into play? Is it something you’ve always dreamed of?
LS: Writing a book was always a far-off dream, but it wasn’t until six years ago that I realized I wanted to write. I’d been writing with my students for a while, and I was ready for a new challenge that didn’t involve marking papers. So I found a critique group who pushed me. Not off a cliff. Thankfully. (Yet.)
LTS: My daughter and I are fans of your Ironic Mom Blog and would laugh at your approach to the challenges of raising your twins! Is it safe to assume your book, Don’t Lick the Minivan is a real slice of life?
LS: Don’t Lick the Minivan is many slices of life and a few slices (or scratches) of minivans. I enjoy the challenge of capturing a moment and of finding humour in minor tragedies. It helps me to live more in the moment.
LTS: What motivated you to write this book and how do your twins feel about their mom become a published author?
LS: I wanted to make other parents laugh and to show them that even though this parenting gig is not always (or often) fun, it’s often funny. I also wanted to document the entertaining parts of my kids’ early years using a medium that didn’t involve glue sticks or stencils.
LTS: Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open Don’t Lick the Minivan?
LS: Readers will laugh. At my kids. At me. At themselves. In Don’t Lick the Minivan, I tell the story of the first six years of raising kids, from being pregnant in Bangkok where I chased a posse of transvestites to find out where they buy their shoes (I have big feet), to throwing birthday parties with tainted face paint in suburban Calgary.
LTS: The road to publication is difficult at the best of times. Was it difficult for you to land an agent? Do you have any advice you’d like to share with the author struggling to find representation?
LS: At first glance, my landing-an-agent story is a Cinderella one: I went to Surrey International Writers’ Conference, pitched to an agent at 11:50 AM the first day, and had an offer of representation by 4 PM. While it was a dream come true, I’d attended this conference for a couple of years, and I’d taken the advice of agents and authors and developed myself as a writer and a blogger over that time. In October 2009, I didn’t even know what a blog was. By November 2009, I’d started one. My advice to those seeking representation is to learn everything you can. Pedal your wares, attend writing events, take risks, and write. Then write some more.
LTS: Can you share that moment when your agent told you she sold your story to Skyhorse Publishing?
LS: Over the process of trying to sell my manuscript, I’d become a bit of a doubting Thomas. My agent had been very close a few times. When she told me Skyhorse was interested, I was pleased, but I shrugged it off as another false lead. When I spoke to my future editor on the phone and when my agent told me I could announce it, I did some celebratory moves, which means I looked like a drunk woman doing the Chicken Dance.
LTS: Nice! I can picture you doing this drunken Chicken Dance! ;-) So, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
LS: The learning never ends. This is a good thing. And it’s important to remind yourself to enjoy every stage.
LTS: Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
LS: I usually hoodie-up. Literally. I like to dress cozily and to pull my hood up when I’m serious about getting words. It’s a signal that I’ve got stuff to get done.
LTS: Now I can visualize you with that hoodie on, the drawstring pulled so tight, only your eyes and nose are poking through the opening while you do the drunken Chicken Dance! Seriously now, at one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
LS: I text my wordbitches (Trish Loye Elliott and Elena Aitken) and I email my best imaginary writing friend, Clay Morgan. They talk me away from cliffs. I also lower my expectations with respect to the quality of what I’m writing. I write the “down draft” and fix it up later.
LTS: Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
LS: I’m an English teacher and a passionate reader, so this is hard to answer. In terms of writing humour, I’ve been influence by Dave Barry, Erma Bombeck, Terry Fallis, and Sloane Crosley.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out into other genres? Can your fans expect a second volume to Don’t Lick the Minivan in the future about life with teenaged twins? That would be great, for they only get funnier as they grow up!
LS: My next project (which I’m announcing shortly) moves briefly in the direction of picture books. In terms of humour memoirs, I’m working on a manuscript about surviving coming of age in the 1970s and 80s. Before I write about my kids’ again, I need to let their therapy fund accrue.
LTS: Thank you so much for taking time from your crazy, busy schedule to share in your book and your writing life, Leanne! Catch you on Twitter!
For more information about Leanne and her writings, check out:
Website: IronicMom.com
Follow Leanne on Twitter: .LShirtliffe
Where to buy the book: Amazon.com • Amazon.ca • Chapters Indigo • Barnes & Noble • McNally Robinson • Indie Bound • Books-A-Million
