Hello! Thanks for joining me on another edition of Sunday Speed Dates. This week I am pleased to welcome P.J. Colando.
Welcome P.J. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born and raised in the Midwest, yet unabashedly aspired for adventure elsewhere, following my parents’ model. The Rose Bowl tradition reeled me in – what’s not to like about watching a game and parade on a gorgeous, typical California winter’s day. My husband and I moved to this state in 1979. I am practically a native, especially in thought patterns and lifestyle.
Well, we are glad to have you. You really can’t beat Southern California for its weather!
Can you tell us a little about your latest project?
While I didn’t grow up on a farm, most of my relatives did. Auto manufacture and agriculture built a reliable middle class in the Midwest, but the recent recession absolutely dismantled the American dream for many. That is a subtext of my ‘Jackie and Steve’ series, including STASHES (2014) and HASHES & BASHES (published this week). A recurring theme is exploring my social question: whatever happened to ‘earn’?
I’ve read your book blurbs; they sound truly hilarious! I can’t wait to add your books to my shelf. :)
Now, let’s give everyone a chance to get to know you.
What does your family think of your writing?
My husband is very supportive. He says “it keeps you off the streets!” He is a significant contributor and astute editor.
That is so awesome. A supportive home life makes writing go so much smoother.
What inspires you as a person?
As a Boomer, the dual pursuits of self-actualization and fun light my internal fire. Writing is a blast! I’ve been a devoted reader and listener throughout my life = lots of stories to spool out.
Tell us your latest non-writing news.
We hiked Lassen National Park last week – I don’t think my tennis shoes and socks will ever get clean! Next month we are traveling to Thailand and Cambodia – for the same price as our trip to northern California!!
That sounds like so much fun! Travel is such a blast and is such a good way to get more story ideas! You’ll have a blast on your trip, I’m sure.
Tell us a little about your writing life.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
My first fully-formed memory is filmic, a vignette of my mother washing dishes while she helped me write a story with a picture prompt as assigned in second grade. The teacher was thrilled with the metaphor she provided and that hooked me. I am living my mother’s dreams, subrogated to being a ‘50s wife and mother.
What inspired you to write your first book?
Listening to friends’ rants about their thirty-something entitled boomerang kids. When a major Wall Street Journal article trumpeted Winnebago’s addition of line jobs to assemble RVs as the recession ground the economy down in 2010, the idea hit: if the kids who lost their jobs and homes moved in with their parents, the parents could move out to pursue their RV dream trip!
What do you think most characterizes your writing?
I get to use vocabulary that I can’t use in daily speech. I am a word nerd. Love alliteration, metaphors, and wordplay. I write funny!
That’s fun! I always like being kept on my toes when reading.
Why did you choose to write in your particular field or genre? If you write more than one, how do you balance them?
The common wisdom is to write what you know. I write contemporary women’s fiction: adventure and domestic life with humor and satire in full force. Tongue-in-cheek, cheeky because that’s my personality!
It sure sounds like it. It sounds like you had a lot of fun writing these books!
What was your least favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I used to deplore revision, but I’ve embraced it, thinking of it as more playing with words
What’s the hardest part of developing your lead characters?
Now that I know them so well, I constantly ‘head hop’ as I write. It’s funny: I didn’t have imaginary friends when I was a child, but now I have an entire community of them.
Isn’t it strange how that happens? It’s like they take over your mind…
Ok, this next one is a three-part question:
1. Star Wars or Star Trek?
2. Jane Austen or Shakespeare?
3. Stephen King or Edgar Allen Poe?
- Star Wars.
- Shakespeare, the king of wordplay.
- Neither. I prefer light and lively to dark and twisted.
Share a funny incident in your life.
MY LIFE!
Ha! Good one!
Favorite Sundae topping?
Chocolate.
What is your favorite motivational phrase?
“Reach for the moon! Even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.”
Always a good one to keep in mind. :)
What other projects do you have in the works?
The third book in the ‘Jackie and Steve’ series, entitle CASH to DASH: DOWN UNDER
Where can we find out more about you and what you write?
I blog regularly at PJ Colando. I’m also active on Facebook (have a PJ Colando author page – please Like it, everyone) and am a member of OC Writers with a monthly column for the blog: Write Places.
PJ’s latest book Hashes and Dashes just came out. You can get your copy here!
Wonderful! I can’t wait to see you around online. Thanks again for stopping by!
Thanks for the opportunity to speed date, Christina. I had a blast, as I ever! PJC