Interview with Clarissa Haley
Published 2014-03-09.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I was trying to be ridiculous. No. But there is a lot of ridiculousness in the world. Government and corporate processes and procedures border on the absurd sometimes. At best they're silly.
A package came into our office one day. It could not be delivered until the Supervisor of Mail Services could place a red tag on it. So software that was needed to update a server could not be used until the woman returned from vacation. Finally I said let's open the box, remove the software and she can stamp the empty box later. It worked. Eight days after we had installed the software, here comes the empty box with the shiny red tag. That was about as ridiculous as having an empty coffin funeral.
But writing fiction isn't or shouldn't be about politics. It's about entertaining.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I don't like red tape or going begging with book in hand to publishers. Wes Writers aren't big name or big game by any means, but they do the grunt work of covers and formatting and let me be me.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I have faith in them and the publisher. I like their open approach to allowing all to be published. Even some well...everyone is welcome at the table.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
It's fun. It takes me away much better than that Calgon stuff.
What do your fans mean to you?
Fans mean the world to me. I've been here for maybe a week, and already garnered a 5 star review. That means a lot. And all the downloads and sitting in folk's libraries. Yes!
What are you working on next?
A parody of Fifty Shades, I think. It will involve cats. I love cats. But get your mind out of the gutter if you think it has anything to do with bestiality.
Who are your favorite authors?
Oddly it's Dorothy Allison and Toni Morrison. I like words and sentences that evoke the Gods to come down from heaven. Strange I know. But give me Dave Barry for my dose of humor.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
A job to do and the Texas sunrise.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
On the job.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Bookbub. I love it. But I do wish we could recreate that cozy feeling online that you have in a physical bookstore. But alas. Time moves on.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Something about a girl named Alice who could solve all of my problems and make my twelve year old "miserable" life happy.
What is your writing process?
Listen to the thing in my brain and do what it says. Always happens at the wrong time. It's hard to write a story in the margins of the church bulletin. But I like the noise of NANOWRIMO. Jot fast, then ask questions later.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Something about the Bobbsey Twins. I loved their world of fun and no spankings.
How do you approach cover design?
I don't. That's what the publisher does.
What do you read for pleasure?
Mild mild mild erotica. Some call them bodice rippers. Corporate memos are a hoot sometimes.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I pad mini
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Word of mouth. Twitter looks like it might work as soon as I get a zillion followers. Look for me and follow me please.
Describe your desk
Overrun with coffee mugs.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
The south, Texas in particular. My grandmother loved to tell stories. She also like to read those Detective story magazines.
When did you first start writing?
Oh I don't want to tell my age.
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.
