The Quick Six: Author Judith Viorst
By James Houck
Judith Viorst, popular author and journalist, answers our six burning questions in this month’s sit down. Viorst is the author of the popular children’s book series centered on the character Alexander ( Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to name one book) and the New York Times best selling non-fiction book Necessary Losses . In addition to her most popular work, Viorst has also written for the Washington Post and New York Times, among other papers and publications. Viorst will speak at the upcoming Planned Parenthood event March 2 in Annapolis.
What’s Up? Annapolis: Judith, can you take us through the conceptual process of your book/novel development from what inspires you to putting pen to paper?
Judith Viorst: I get “inspired” by all kinds of people and experiences, something I’ve observed or felt, a friend’s remark or interesting story, anything—from a woman in the midst of a mid-life crisis to a little boy having a bad day. I then think about how I’d like to write about the matter and start putting pen to paper, or fingertips to keyboard. In my newest book,
Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days, the idea of what happened to my neat, highly scheduled life when my son, his wife, and their three kids—ages five years to four months—lived with us for three months struck me as an irresistible subject for a funny and loving book about the challenges and delights of three generations living-together.
WUA: How difficult (or easy) is it to actually write a book? What are some of the challenges? What helps your work flow?
JV: Writing is work. It is sitting down and doing the work, day after day, whether you’re in a good or bad mood, whether or not you feel like doing it. Every once in a while you get a flash—a line, a paragraph, whatever—that feels like what I call “a gift from the gods.” I can write anywhere—not just in my pretty office but also in airports, hotel rooms, in my head while I’m riding in a car.
WUA: Your childrens book Alexander continues to be a family favorite, but you also write considerably for adults. What do you consider your most accessible and important messages in that body of work?
JV: In all my books for children and adults the unifying link, it seems to me, is that there are experiences we all share—that when it comes to many of our wishes, longings, pleasures, and aggravations we’re basically all in the same boat.
WUA: When your Necessary Losses was on the New York Times best seller list for about two years in the mid-80s, what was that experience like?
JV: When Necessary Losses made the best-seller list I was astonished and thrilled out of my mind.
WUA: Judith what do enjoy most about opening up and sharing your thoughts, dreams, inspirations, and experiences through writing?
JV: What I like best about writing is connection—making a connection with other people.
WUA: When you have downtime, how do you relax and enjoy your days? What are some of your interests, likes, and even dislikes?
JV: My non-writing life pleasures include hanging out with my friends and family, including my seven grandchildren, seeing as many movies as humanly possibly, reading, reading, reading, and cooking.