Kelly McClymer: A Self Portrait
Kelly McClymer Revealed
About Kelly McClymer
Revealing Questions
- Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
- A. Devoted to asking and trying to answer, "Why ...?"
- Q. What is your motto or maxim?
- A. Why only ask why, when researching the answer can prove so interesting?
- Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
- A. Recognizing that happiness is best when it is fleeting and unexpected, and because of that, it should be savored when it comes.
- Q. What’s your greatest fear?
- A. Being the neighborhood mean old grouch when I get old (not for many, many years from now).
- Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
- A. Hawaii
- Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
- A. I identify with every person in every time past and present who wanted (and/or wants) to end warfare.
- Q. Which living person do you most admire?
- A. Oprah. It seems to me that she always asks herself how she can make the world better and have a little fun.
- Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
- A. But. And. So. Which. All the 'connector' words...but I do love them so very much.
- Q. What do you regret most?
- A. Not finding Ponce de Leon's fountain of youth (although I did look when I was in Florida).
- Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
- A. Singing. On key. With melody (to be very specific).
- Q. What is your greatest achievement?
- A. Never giving up on my dreams, no matter how far fetched or bizarre others may find them.
- Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
- A. Whining. Aloud.
- Q. What’s your best quality?
- A. Curiosity.
- Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
- A. Me.
- Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
- A. My tendency to daydream at inopportune times.
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
- A. Today? Harriet the Spy.
- Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
- A. Miss Haversham [shiver]
- Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
- A. Lincoln. "Skip the play." (this sounds familiar to me, so I believe I'm not the first to say this).
- Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
- A. Those who think a rule or custom is universally applicable. Except for brushing your teeth, everyone should do that, of course.
- Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
- A. Teaching.
- Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
- A. Video game designer for virtual reality games.
- Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
- A. Empathy. Patience. Generosity of spirit.
- Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
- A. ...?! ...!? ...well, if I had to ... pistachios
- Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
- A. Today? Hmmm: Winner Takes It All (ABBA): With or Without You (U2); Shattered (O.A.R); Viva La Vida (Coldplay); I Am Where It Takes Me (Black Light Burns)
On Books and Writing
- Q. Who are your favorite authors?
- A. Charles Dickens, Harper Lee, Mark Twain, George Orwell, Mary Shelley
- Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
- A. To Kill a Mockingbird, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Frankenstein, Oliver, 1984
- Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
- A. The Dictionary
- Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
- A. Love words and treat them well.
- Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
- A. When is your next book coming out?
- Q. How did you come to write Getting to Third Date?
- A. I wondered about what it felt like to be challenged to be less timid and safe in romantic life choices for someone who really didn't want to get her heart broken.
