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Literary Festival Author Interview Questions: Spitzer, Roberson, Iijima, Elder
General Writing/Philosophy:
1) What brought you to writing in general? Environmental writing in particular?
2) How would you classify your writing and your style as a writer? Do you have a single or a multifaceted writing voice? How would you define your voice as a writer?
3) Do you differentiate between writing and environmental writing? What’s the difference? Do you view yourself as an environmental writer or as a writer who happens to write on environmental topics?
4) What does environmental writing mean to you? What is an environment? The Environment? Is there a difference between environmental writing and nature writing? What is your environment?
5) What is the purpose or goal of writing to/for you? The purpose of environmental writing?
6) Do you write with an (internal or external) articulated writing philosophy? If so, what is it? How do you “approach the page� Intention or openness?
7) Do you agree or disagree with the following statements: a) writing is communication b) writing is self-expression c) writing is art d) writing is a tool. Why? Are any of these statements mutually exclusive? Mutually inclusive?
8) Should an author write about what they know, about their own environment? How do you define knowledge for a writer? Is it research/study or experience?
9) If you had one piece of advice for aspiring environmental writers, a take-home-message, what would it be?
Book Specific:
10) As the author, are you writing to a particular audience? Who is your intended/expected audience? Do you view your work as universally* accessible? Is that a desirable trait in writing, accessibility?
11) BLANK is not your first, or your most recent, book. How does it fit into your career as a writer, your writing arch or journey? Does it reflect you as a writer today, in part or whole?
12) Would you comment briefly on the work and writing you are doing and pursuing today?
* “Universally†removed after Spitzer’s interview due to confusion of meaning in question.