Rebecca Kool

Q: What were you like at school?

Boy crazy; played basketball; swimmer; class clown.

Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?

A detective; I loved Nancy Drew.

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Self-starter, outgoing, organized.

Q: What is your favourite word?

Joy!

Q: What makes you cringe?

Thinking about some of the silly, outrageous things I did before I developed full use of my brain!

Q: What are you afraid of?

What kind of world my grand daughter will live in.

Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?

Usually in a theatre filled with people, watching a funny film.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

Good health.

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Read, write morning pages, walk.

Q: What strange habits do you have?

Sometimes when I read a story outloud, my eyes get really large! Not scary, just big.

Q: What’s your favourite food?

Lobster with lots of dipping butter.

Q: What do you day dream about?

How can I make a difference in today's world.

Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?

One night, my friend and I borrowed a "men working" street sign. I was 16. Often wondered what happened to that sign.

Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Public affairs news anchor.

Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?

Of course much younger.

Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

Mother Teresa, to learn more about giving and love.

Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?

Sincerity.

Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

The site of the Terra Cotta warriors, in China.

Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Be yourself.

Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?

I could lose a few pounds.

Q: What has life taught you?

Be observant and ready for any opportunities that cross your path.

Q: How long have you been a writer?

My first book was published last year, 2009 but I've always been a writer, in my mind.

Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?

Probably 1970 when I sent off my first manuscript which was summarily rejected.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

Inside my head while waiting in line, driving, etc., and at my computer.

Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?

The best? Absolutely everything. I'm pretty new at this but so far I love meeting new people, hanging out with other authors and learning from them. The worst? Not enough hours in the day to accomplish all I want.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

Just observing people, overhearing conversations. Everywhere you look there's a story!

Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?

Go for a walk in the woods or by the sea. It clears my head to allow inspiration to flow.

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

The Velveteen Rabitt.

Q: What book do you wish you had written?

I love memoirs. Most recently I enjoyed Elizabeth Grant's "Eat, Pray, Love". When I was much younger I was enthralled with Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged".

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Trust yourself; hold onto your passion and never give up.