Welcome, Lianne Simon

Thank you so much for being here, Lianne Simon.

It's my pleasure.

1: So, first question, what genre do you write?

I write young adult fiction dealing with social issues.

2: That sounds interesting. How long have you been writing?

In August of 2010 I woke with a story running through my mind. Since then I've been trying to learn how to write.

3: Yes, it’s a continuing process. We’re always learning. So, what do you like the most and least about writing?

The process is cathartic. It allows me to see how I might have handled life under different circumstances or as other people. The down side is I tend to feel everything my characters experience, so sometimes my mood has more to do with what's going on in the story than in my life.

4: Yes, it’s difficult sometimes to separate our lives. Tell us, what do you do for fun and relaxation when not writing?

I enjoy shopping, cooking, and reading. I try to walk every day to work out the stress.

5: I think all authors love to read. So, which authors do you like to read?

I enjoy history, fantasy, and science fiction. My favorites include JRR Tolkien, Neal Stephenson, Branden Sanderson, and CJ Cherryh.

6: What’s the one thing you’d most like people to know about you?

I'm a Christian and try to write in a manner that glorifies God. I'm not sure how well I succeed, but that's my goal.

7: Okay, tell us about your current novel, where can we find it?

CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE HERMAPHRODITE is the coming of age story of a child with a genetic condition resulting in short stature, a pixie face, and a sexually ambiguous body. When Jamie was five, her ethereal face and small size convinced her she was an elven princess. Her parents assured Jamie that minor surgery and a few years on testosterone would make him a normal boy. At sixteen, the four-foot-eleven soprano leaves a sheltered home school environment for a large university. The elven princess can live in the books Jamie reads and nobody in the dorm has to find out he isn't like other boys. When a medical student tells Jamie he should have been raised female, he decides to be a girl for a single day to see what her life might have been like. CONFESSIONS is scheduled to be released as an e-book by MuseItUp Publishing in September and a paperback by FaieMiss Press shortly thereafter.

8: Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Lay aside your dignity and pride, share from the heart, and risk as much as you dare for your story. Write first and worry about the rules later.

9: Do you base your characters on real-life people?

They say you write what about you know. I draw personality traits for my characters from the people around me, blending them to build a new character. Jamie's personality traits are based on people I know with that intersex condition.

10: How did you come up with the idea for this book?

I was already familiar with intersex conditions, but I was kind of blind-sided by the whole book thing. I wrote down the story in the hopes I'd be able to shake it. When I quit my day job to work on my writing full-time, my husband encouraged me to see it through until someone published my novel.

11: What are you currently working on?

I have a couple of story ideas brewing, but I'll keep editing CONFESSIONS until someone slaps my hand.

12. Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

My writing flows from a concern for the kids about whom I write. I spent more than ten years answering inquiries on behalf of a support group for the parents of children such as Jamie. I'm hoping, in some small way, to contribute to their welfare.

13. Where can we find you? Website? Blog?

My blog is at www.liannesimon.com.