MoA&A Interview #30: Elaine Isaak

Hello, everyone! Welcome to July, and the Month of Artist and Author Interviews here on the website.

Now that we’re nearing the end of the month, I’m going to let a couple of friends sneak through who were interviewed here last year: Rick Novy and Elaine Isaak.

It’s always nice to be able to see how life is progressing with authors you’ve become familiar with, and how they might answer these new questions for 2012. Did they manage to scratch any items off their “Things to do Before They Die” list?

Without further ado…here’s the lovely Elaine!

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Author or Artist?
Author

Who are your professional role models?
Jane Yolen—who is a delight in person as well as on the page. J. R. R. Tolkein a best-seller with eternal presence in the minds of millions.

What’s your favorite writing/sketching weather?
A heavy snowfall, not so wet that it snaps trees, but the kind that seems to hush the whole world.

Set your current playlist/musical device to “shuffle all” and hit PLAY. What’s the first song that comes up?
“Mary Weep for Me No More” by the Battlefield Band. yes, bagpipes!!

If you could win any award, which would it be?
The MacArthur Genius Grant. Except, I think I’d have to be a genius first. Maybe I can get a coach for that?

Would you rather have magical powers, or a spaceship?
I have to choose? Maybe I can fly the spaceship out to meet an advanced alien race which will bequeath me the magical powers.

What was your favorite book as a child?
The Thirteen Clocks, by James Thurber

What thing do you wish you could go back in time and tell your 10-year-old self?
It’s okay to be a girl—someday, you’re going to really like it.

What’s your favorite constellation?
I’d have to say Orion. A friend and I used to pretend that we were children of Orion, destined for greatness.

What’s your favorite fairy tale?
“Vasilisa the Brave”

What thing are you most proud of?
Lately? Taking lifeguard training—that was really hard!

The Colin Harvey Memorial Question: Name 3 things on your List of Things to Do Before You Die.
Hike Colorado’s 14’ers
dive a sunken ship
hit the New York Times Bestseller list

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Elaine Isaak wrote The Singer’s Crown and two sequels. Her latest sale is to Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. A mother of two, Elaine works as a part-time rock climbing instructor. Hobbies include weaving and taiko drumming. Visit www.ElaineIsaak.com to find out why you still do not want to be her hero.