Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
I am an attorney and had been asked to speak at a Practicing Law Institute Conference back in 1995. After I said “yes”, I was then asked to write two chapters in the textbook. I was told that if I ever wanted to be an expert about anything, just write about it.
At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?
Whenever the person decides to call themselves a writer.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
I have six books now so I get to line them up and take a picture. I have to do it to convince myself that I actually wrote six books!
How do you come up with character names for your stories?
There has to be an “Oodle” in the name. Also, it has to be lyrical like Briana Brainy Broodle or Swift Swoodle, or Frimpy Frumpy Froodle.
How much research did you need to do for your book?
With my cranky books, I actually do research. If there is a saying like “I have an ax to grind,” or ‘don’t kill me, I am just the messenger,” I have to know exactly how that saying came about. Sometimes, I find something that is an absolute gem like the first baby food being liver soup, and Gerbers would push the soup by saying that it was “pleasingly bland.” I never knew that those two words can go together.
What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
Imagine that you have a story in your head and you do not know the ending, but you are really curious. Then, you can start to write because you are the most curious person out there and you just write to find out how the ending.
What book (or books) are you currently reading?
Pre-Release “Homegrown Heroes” by Lucia Matuonto – a fun farcical novel.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
I do not know. I write like I cook. I just think of the ingredients I need. Then, it is a touch of this or that. It needs a little salt. I add salt. I taste it, and maybe add some more.
What inspired the idea for your book?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I was thinking about the media frenzy, and the bad spoiled kids and how they must have been shamed. Then, the idea came into my head to make them the heroes.
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
This was an easy one since it all came together. The characters wrote the story for me.
Steven Joseph is a first-generation American, the son of a Holocaust survivor, a masterful attorney, seasoned negotiator, engaging speaker, award-winning author, and a long-distance runner who has completed 57 marathons, including five Boston and 19 New York City Marathons. With a sharp sense of humor that has kept him schuckling back and forth at countless synagogues, he’s also spent many years sitting in stillness at the Village Zendo, trying desperately to empty his mind while staring at a blank white wall. Despite his extensive life experience, he remains wise enough to acknowledge that he hasn’t figured everything out — except, perhaps, for the art of effective crankiness.
Steven’s books include “The Last Surviving Dinosaur: The TyrantoCrankaTsuris,” “The Crankatsuris Method: A Grownup Guide to Effective Crankiness,” and the “Snoodles” series, which includes “Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles” and “Snoodles in Space: A Snoodle, The Zoodle Kidoodles, and One Happy Schmoodle.” His latest book, “Snoodles in Space Episode 2: The Zoodles Strike Back!” delivers more of his signature wit and wisdom as he continues to explore and celebrate the cranky corners of life.
Despite his long partnership with therapists and his time spent as an attorney, Steven remains grounded and approachable with a wit that is as quick as his award-winning blog is insightful. Discover more about Steven Joseph’s unique blend of humor, insight, and crankiness on his website.
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