Part II: Leon Stevens, Reader, Interviews Leon Stevens, Author

(Author’s note: Before reading Part II, I suggest that you read Part I here:

Leon Stevens, Author, interviews Leon Stevens, Reader)

I have done a few interviews on some book blogs this year and have always enjoyed it. But then I thought, what would I say in an interview as a reader? Solution? Interview myself! So I did. As you can see, this is Part II, where I interview myself as an author this time.

Today we have the pleasure [eyeroll] of sitting down with Leon Stevens, the author. How have you been?

- Considering all that has been happening, I have been OK. You?

You know the same as I do. We share a place, remember?

- Just being polite, you know.

Moving on. You have some exciting news to tell.

- Had.

What?

- I had some news. Like a month ago.

Would you like to share it?

- That’s why we are here, isn’t it?

Yes, indeed. Let me spill the proverbial beans then-

- I’m not going to clean those up.

[silence]

Do you want me to say it or not?

- Go ahead.

You published your second book this year, a science fiction book, I believe?

- That is correct. It’s called The Knot at the End of the Rope and Other Short Stories.

Interesting title. How did you come up with that?

- It’s the first story in the book, and the rest tells you what is in it.

But what does it mean?

- You will have to read and find out.

I did. You know that.

- Then why are you asking?

I thought that other readers would like to know.

- Well, it’s all about how choices that life gives us are not always good things, I guess. It is the shortest story in the book.

You like writing short stories, don’t you?

- My stories always seem to come to a natural conclusion sooner rather than later. Say what you want about short attention spans…

Do you have a favori — Wait! Where are you going?

[from another room] — I thought we were done.

No. We are not.

- Want some coffee?

Sure. Are you using the press?

- Is there any other way?

Nope.

[elapsed time: 15 minutes]

- Here you go.

Thank you. Shall we continue?

- Fire away.

[sipping sounds]

Mmm, good coffee.

- Thank you. It’s one of my favorite things.

Before the break, I was asking if you have a favorite story?

- That’s tough. Each story has its charm in how it came about and what ideas I was trying to convey. But if I had to choose —

You do.

- As I was saying, if I had to choose, it would be Reasonable Hand-drawn Facsimile.

Because?

- Probably because it has elements of humor. It made me laugh when I thought about it. My editor said that she laughed out loud when she read it. Now, that’s the sign of good humor writing.

Do you consider yourself a humor writer?

- Quite a bit of my writing has elements of humor, so yes. I like to make people laugh.

There are quite a few post-apocalyptic stories in the book as well, along with poetry. Poetry? What’s up with that?

- I don’t know which came first, the stories or the poems, but I recall coming up with the idea that sometime in the future, writings from after an apocalyptic event would be found. So naturally, I named the series Found.

That sounds like the premise of the book, A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller Jr.

- That’s not far off. I didn’t mean it to be, but as I was coming up with the poems, it was a book that came to mind. It is the first post-apocalyptic book that I remember reading.

You write many different styles. Do you think that will limit your appeal by segmenting your readership?

- Well, I do now. Thanks a lot.

I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.

- Limiting my appeal? Or writing different styles?

I thought I was asking the questions here…

- Can’t we have a spirited discourse once and a while?

How long have you been waiting to throw in that word?

- Quite some time. Impressed?

Very. OK. Back to my point. I’m just worried that your poetry readers won’t like your science fiction stories and vice versa.

- I’ve thought about that. But if I am inspired to write something, I don’t want to limit myself. I still write poetry. It took me four years to publish my first book of poetry — I’m not going to be able to put out another right away. I hope my readership will embrace my eclectic writing. It is about entertaining and keeping readers engaged.

And how do you do that?

- I began to write a blog, which became more of a satirical/humorous take on life. Then when I started my newsletter to keep my readers updated on my writing journey —

Writing journey. I like that.

- Thank you. Anyhoo, I try to keep my weekly newsletters informative and entertaining. I hope that people read and appreciate them.

Ever thought of doing a podcast?

- I wouldn’t know where to start. Do you?

Not a clue. Last question: Who are The Miniscules I keep hearing about?

- You’ve heard about them from other people?

Not really. I just thought that we should mention them.

- Oh.

They are dear to your heart, are they not?

- No. Not really. I’d miss them if they went away, though.

But they’re not going anywhere, right?

- Nope. They still have lots to say.

Well, thank you for taking to time to answer some questions. Any final thoughts?

- You’re going to clean up those beans, right?

Yes. Not to worry…

- Don’t forget to take out the garbage when you go.

I’m not going anywhere. I live here.

- Oh, right. Another cup of coffee?

Please.

Learn more about Leon Stevens @www.linesbyleon.com