Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Open for Submissions
Exclusive Interview with
Lexy Duck
When did you start writing?
I think I've been writing all my life. I'm dyslexic so when I was a child it was a way to hide my thoughts because no one could read what I wrote. Writing was kind of a game actually.
What makes writing your passion?
I love to tell stories. I love listening as someone reads a good story. I love to be transported to places and meet people I would never know except for books.
How long have you been writing?
A very long time.
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
WOW!!! I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would actually publish something that people would like to read. Atmosphere made that possible.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
Loosely based on my Mother's family history. Her ancestry has and always will be a question unanswered. So I made one up.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
The discrimination. No accolades – no agent will bother to read your query letter let alone your first chapter. Again, no relationships in the trade - no agent will even bother to read your query letter or your first chapter. Worst of all, in all my rejections was the inference that I was a terrible risk because of my age. All I can say is thank God for Atmosphere Press.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Personally, I go to the frig, get a cold beer, and watch the world go by from our Florida room and something usually starts the wheels rolling again.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Because, you know deep down in your heart, that this story must be told one way or the other.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
I would never go back. Who I was then would never have listened to who I am now.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Of course I read them. That feedback is the only way to know if the story is working. The good ones I blush over but the bad ones get my full attention. And, if the comments are valid I change my story. Beta readers are worth their weight in gold.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Euphoric. I love them. Who wouldn't?
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Sure. What else does an author have to draw from?
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
Danny would be me in the time frame of my book. I would have been her age then. But that is where the similarity ends.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Absolutely. The cover has to draw the potential reader in. It has to make that reader pick it up to see what's inside.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I don't think quickly on my feet because a have a problem stammer so I would much rather text or write than chat face to face.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
So far the only folks that have done that are friends and I am quite humbled by it.
Who is your favorite author? Why?
Steinbeck. His characters are so real. I actually know people like that. I can relate to them.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
No one. I could never be as good as them and they never could be me. So no one.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
Yes. I have two that I am thinking about reworking. If "Tattered" does well then what direction those stories should take will be clear and I will have my work cut out for me.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I wouldn't. Every commemt begs for a reply. Why bother.
What would you say to your readers?
Thank you very much. Without you "Tattered" would sit beside the Sears catolgue in the outhouse. Instead, you have lovingly put my story on your bookshelves. For that I am so very grateful.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
Presently I live in Daytona Beach, FL with my spouse, two dogs, two cats, and two tanks of fish. “Tattered” is my first published novel. But I have faith that there will be more because this Florida white-hair is excited about rekindling her passion for writing fiction.
What is your day job if you have one?
We are retired so going to the beach on sunny days, riding our motorcycle through the Florida back-country, traveling to whatever distant port a cruise ship can take us, or just sitting in our Florida room having a cold brew while watching the world go by.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
We ride mostly. We go with a bunch of super gals and stop at out of the way places to sample their goodies.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes and no. My mother died when I was 12. Dad and I bounced around after that until he met my stepmother.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
I have two. One takes Danny from eight to adulthood. The other is based on a character that Danny meets as she grows up.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Exciting a child's imagination. Microsoft and Apple seem to have control of that these days. All a child needs is a phone and Silicone Vally trains their thinking via gameplay.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
Health for me.
Health for my spouse.
Health for our friends.
What is your favorite music?
Oldies but goodies. (50's, 60's, 70's, and maybe some 80's) I detest rap!
Share a secret with us 🙂
I conformed to family and societal dictates until I was 73. That's when I finally admitted who I was and came out.