Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
The first author who inspired me was Anne Frank and at one point in my diary I wrote my diary letters to “dear Kitty” imitating her imaginary friend. But I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer until I read To Kill a Mockingbird. I was totally gobsmacked by it.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
As a child my problem was that I wanted to be too many things from author to actress to ballet dancer and on and on. At one point I thought it would be fun to be a doctor. I think it depended on what movie I saw and left an impression on me.
Has any hugely popular novel left you thinking you could write it better?
Nope! I keep my ego in check.
Have you ever considered writing under a pseudonym, and why or why not?
I just completed writing my memoir and considered writing it under a pseudonym but decided that it would be sort of cowardly. If I’m concerned that I’d hurt other family members, I’d write them out, but it’s my story, my name.
Have you ever killed off a character your readers loved?
Yes, in my current novel, Marika’s Best Laid Plan, I do kill off probably the most beloved character. But sorry, he had to go for Marika’s growth.
How long have you been writing or when did you start?
I started writing when I was in third grade, so that’s a very long time ago. I had read a diary of a girl and decided that it was exactly what I wanted to do. My parents bought me a very nice diary and I started by imitating the other girl’s diary. I wrote of all my little woes and found it to be cathartic and made me happy. I’ve kept this diary going on and off most of my life.
How much research did you need to do for your book?
For this particular book (and my first book) I didn’t have to do much research as they take place in a time and cities I’ve lived in, so I was very familiar with the era and surroundings. Of course I did have to do some research to jog my memory about some things i.e. music/movies of the era, etc.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Amor Towles. I find the stories he tells are so innovative and unique. And I’m mesmerized by his plots and characters.
If you were to write a spin-off about a side character, which would you pick?
I’d pick Rosie. She’s an African American drug addict and she’s based on someone I knew well. Alas, I don’t think I’m the right person to tell her story.
What are the essential characteristics of a hero you can root for?
I like flawed characters, because as a psychotherapist I feel we can identify with people’s flaws as we all are. I do not care for perfect characters, so I root for characters who have to struggle and rise above their flaws, as Marika does.
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Author of Marika’s Best Laid Plan
https://www.instagram.com/judystanigar