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Truth Will Out 2, the short version

So apparently my last interview meme so traumatized all but a few of the stalwart of you that despite my bared soul...you ran away screaming. Or maybe not "despite," maybe "because of." ;) LOL

So I am challenging myself to use four or less sentences to answer Emily's interview questions.

If you would like me to interview you (and if nobody asks, so help me I will...ummm, I don't know, err...write mile long posts of self-deprecation and crying) send me an email at j pippert at g maildotcom. And then be patient. For a long time. Because I will get to you. When I'm not gallivanting. ;)

1) You write about the business you are trying to build, but you don't talk much about specifics. Please tell us about the business you are trying to start and how it is going.

I recently published a children's book about autism. I announced it a while back on my blog and linked to the author's blog. It has been a real learning curve running this solo versus working out of a publishing company, where I had a team of marketers, copyeditors, proofreaders, and junior editors to help out. I'm proud of the product we've produced and the wonderful reviews and feedback we've gotten. Sales and interest are good, so I am trying to hire a marketing company now to take it to the next level.

2) If you could live inside a book for a week, which book would it be and why?

This one is tough; and each of my favorites I end up rejecting as, "oh, ick" because I tend to like a lot of adventure, dramatic, or mystery books. Because I so crave something non-stressful just now, I'll go with Anne of Avonlea by LM Montgomery. It was my favorite as a young girl, Anne is fairly settled into life, and I think time on PEI at the turn of the last century would be fascinating. Plus I'd get to just hug those characters. (And oh my brevity rule is killing me here. So much more to say. Maybe a post someday.)

3) How are the books on your selves organized?

Within an inch of their lives. First sort: by author and genre. Second sort: visual (group series in chronological order, sort by spine design, height). I organized too quickly the other day and two books that ought to be side-to-side are split, with an unmatched one (but same author and series) in between. So out of visual and group order sequence. As a psychological experiment on myself I'm seeing how long I can hold out fixing it before I shout ARGH and fix it (so far? one and a half week ut I'm irritated every time I look at it). Nobody else would think it looked weird, but I know.

4) A fairy godmother grants you one gift for each of your children. What would you choose and why?

(Ahhhhhhhh brevity, the new song by John Mayer, very angsty.)

Patience: wisdom, primarily to know it's okay to need to learn...we all do, our entire lives, which means there is always a teacher for us, so use your wisdom to know this and recognize a good teacher for you when you find one (and take their constructive commentary with grace and learn from it, rather than letting it emotionally slay her). (I'm hoping this comes with a side-effect of longer fuse, too.)

Persistence: Tough for one so young. I'm hoping hers comes with a longer fuse too.

You know, each time I was pregnant a Natalie Merchant song stuck in my head---my wishes for my babies---so let me lift portions from that:

WONDER
Natalie Merchant / Indian Love Bride ©1995

they say I must be one of the wonders
of god's own creation...

o, I believe
fate smiled and destiny
laughed as she came to my cradle
know this child will be able

laughed as my body she lifted
know this child will be gifted
with love, with patience and with faith
she'll make her way

people see me
I'm a challenge to your balance
I'm over your heads
how I confound you and astound you
to know I must be one of the wonders
of god's own creation
and as far as you can see you can offer me
no explanation

In this song, I feel and see myself as a person and a mom, and my wishes for my kids who I love so much more than myself---"know this child will be gifted with love, with patience and with faith she'll make her way"---so I'll use Natalie's words. I wanted to sampler stitch them to hang on the wall for each girl but just uhh never got to it (as these things go sometimes).

5) If your health were better, what would you most like to do that you cannot do now?

Ahh so many things. My to-do list, home improvements that have been back-burnered. I'd get back to my former level of volunteering, and socializing.

But mainly, I'd do more with the kids.

Copyright 2007 Julie Pippert
Also blogging at:
Using My Words
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Comments

Bea said…
Anne of Avonlea! Well, I guess I can see the appeal - as long as I don't have to hang out with Davy (brat) or Paul Irving (ick).
S said…
Maybe the problem was with my questions, not your answers. Could be.

Darling, your books! It's classic OCD! (Though if you can keep it confined to books, you'll probably never need to be hospitalized, LOL!)
Liv said…
I think I'd want a few days in The Secret Garden.

***

And now, I've decided I need therapy with slouching mom.
Unknown said…
I'd have to go for the absurd/obvious and live in The Eyre Affair. Whenever I read a Thursday Next book I find myself looking for Will Speak machines, dodo birds and cavemen so I might as well try a look at the "real" thing.

Were there not many comments on that last interview post? I have to confess I only skimmed it, but that has everything to do with brain fatigue and nothing to do with the length of your answers.
flutter said…
Julie you SO need to come to my house and help my books. But you would seriously have an aneurysm...
Magpie said…
I wish I had bookcases so I could unpack my books and sort them to my heart's content. Though maybe slightly less compulsively :)
Girlplustwo said…
you didn't scare me away, i've just been huddled in a corner somewhere.

but to that end, i'd live inside Lonely Planet India. Or South Africa. Or Laos.

Now THAT would be sweet.
painted maypole said…
loved your use of the natalie merchant song
atypical said…
Hey, I for one LIKED the long answers. :)

I think I would have to live inside the book I am a Bunny (my favorite book when I was 4). ;)

My house would make you crazy. It is always disorderly which wouldn't bother me so much if it was clean under the chaos. I am severely anal about certain things though (like packing the car after a trip to the wholesale store among others).

I am hoping that this coming week is a much needed balm for you.

-t
Anonymous said…
I asked about the books because I have similar OCD issues when it comes to mine. AND, I don't let J put his books in with mine because I don't want my books slumming it like that.
I am the exact same way with my books and my DVDS. I have to have them in a specific order or it drives me CRAZY!!!!!!!! :)
Kyla said…
I can't believe your book arrangement. My shelves would make your head explode. The organization style is "shove those suckers on the shelves any way they will fit". LOL.

I think I'd like to live in a novel about the Amish, maybe Plain Truth, but only for a few days. I'm fascinated with the Amish, everything seems so simple and complex at the same time, I'd love to experience it.
Anonymous said…
I'd pay you big bucks to get me organized.

Great questions and answers.
Gina Pintar said…
Please go fix those out of order books! I'll wait. :)

Why is putting books in order OCD? I would also guess that having your shoes in labeled boxes and organized is also OCD?

My order is first by genre, then in alphabetical order and then in order by publish year.

All my non every day shoes are in the boxes with labels and then the dress shoes are on one side of the closet (top shelf) and boots and such are on the other.
Anonymous said…
Not scared away, just unable to blog. I loved, loved the post. I finally got a chance to come by and comment.
3.)You know that you're a sick little puppy, right? :)
Lawyer Mama said…
You must interview me! I just did this, but I'm dying to see what you ask!

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