Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a syndicated humor columnist whose work appears primarily in publications across the West and Midwest. I’m also the author of three books of humorous essays, “Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About, Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time,” “I Used to Think I Was Not That Bad and Then I Got to Know Me Better” and “I Didn’t Know You Could Make Birthday Cake from Scratch, Parenting Blunders from Cradle to Empty Nest.”
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Sometimes, I just want to let someone have it–give them a tongue-lashing they’ll never forget. I did that with “Alexa’s a Spy and Other Things to Be Ticked off About, Humorous Essays on the Hassles of Our Time.” It’s part comical call to arms and part tongue-in-cheek tirade about some of the things we have to put up with just because we live in the modern world. That includes, among other things, spammers and scammers, clutter and litter, intrusive technology and uncivil discourse. Too much stuff, too much noise, too much to worry about. Not enough patience, not enough kindness, not enough…chocolate? Now that’s something to be ticked off about.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write down observations constantly on scraps of paper and I keep them in a basket on top of my filing cabinet. When the basket is full, I sort through it and file the notes with others on similar topics. That process leads to more thoughts, so I write more notes. Going through the basket is like Christmas for me. When file folders have a handful of notes in them, I’m ready to write an essay, story or column on that topic. The more I honor ideas this way, the more ideas I get.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I grew up reading Erma Bombeck. I’m sure she had a huge influence on me. But my biggest influence as a humor writer came from being number nine out of ten children. Humor is a survival skill in a large family.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on my fourth book of humorous essays called “‘Tis the Season to Feel Inadequate: Holidays, Special Events and Other Reasons We Get All Worked Up.”
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
https://dorothyrosby.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Inherit money. 🙂 Kidding. I didn’t. I’m still managing to eat three meals a day.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Always believe in your gift. I tore the most wonderful interview out of a Writers Digest many years ago and it keeps resurfacing in my tickler file and inspiring me all over again. It was with the author James Lee Burke and the whole thing was amazing, but here’s one of my favorite lines: “You always believe in your gift. God doesn’t make mistakes when he presents someone with a gift like that. It’s there for a reason. Tell the naysayers, those who reject you to drop dead! Who cares?”
What are you reading now?
“Peripheral Visions and Other Stories” by Nancy Christie.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Besides book four which I’ve mentioned above, I have files stuffed with notes for at least three other books of humorous essays and one book of humorous short stories. I can never die; I have too much to do.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Choosing one book would be really tough for me, but I have lots of favorite mysteries. I write humor, but mystery is what I love to read the most.
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