Hot and Bothered by It

Written by Lauren Smith

Monday, 05 November 2007 15:31

Lauren Smith: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Hot and Bothered By It

Phyllis Johnson: When I was a young girl, I got a typewriter and soon found myself writing neighborhood newsletters for my large surrounding family (my Dad had 7 siblings, a number of whom lived nearby with their families). I also liked to write funny classified ads at that time, a hint of what was to come. Later I wrote a weekly humor column for five years for a newspaper.

Lauren Smith: What inspired you to write this book?

Phyllis Johnson: One day my husband joked with me about how in a few years he was going to be thrilled to get a senior discount on drinks, etc. I looked at him and said, well when that time comes, you can go ahead and tell them what your age is and I'll be standing back here... One poem came from that conversation and soon found myself writing enough to fill a book.

Lauren Smith: Does getting older bother you?

Phyllis Johnson: The Muse is ageless.

Lauren Smith: Do you have plans for another book?

Phyllis Johnson: My next book is coming out November 07, also being published by Community Press. BEING FRANK WITH ANNE is a poetic interpretation of the entries in Anne Frank's diary. Inspired by her book for years since I was a young girl, I've always been haunted by her plight and the depth of emotion found in those pages. This will bring her diary more to life in a new and different way.