Notes from the Underwire

I was excited when I received an email from Author and Mom,  Quinn Cummings – author of Notes from the Underwire: Adventures from My Awkward and Lovely Life.

She asked if I’d like to host her for her book tour and, well, you’re reading this so you can figure out for yourself what my answer was.  I sent her a few questions and her answers…oh, just read.  You’ll be glad you did!

H: Quinn, my readers are crafty, creative and smart women. Yet many of us (myself included) have a hard time letting go of the guilt we feel if we aren’t spending 100% of our time with our kids and family. Did you feel that guilt too? What did you do about it and how did it play in the writing of your book “Notes from the Underwire?”

Q: It always exists; I’m feeling raging guilt right now because I’m doing book blog business and letting my daughter watch “Sponge Bob.” I’m acutely aware that for my daughter the computer has become the unwanted and needy younger child. The only thing I can think is that it matters that my child–no, my GIRL child– see her mother doing something creative and saying in firm and loving tones, “I’m going into the office now, you need to find something to do which isn’t in the office.” Of course, she’s in the office within minutes, wanting to discuss that day’s game of dodge-ball, but I hope that somewhere in her subconscious it registers that women can love their family dearly and still rightfully demand a little room to think.


H: Do you have a philosophy about writing and creativity? If you do, what is it…if you don’t why ?

Q: I don’t because I feel like a pompous ass when I have a philosophy. Anyone who works in a t-shirt and pajamas bottoms she wore when her daughter was an infant is simply too casual to be a philosopher. I will say this: I’m very grateful to have the kind of brain which, upon being stuck in a really awful situation like finding myself shouting at an old man (http://qcreport.blogspot.com/2005/08/baby-you-cant-drive-my-car.html), some part of my brain is already thinking, “Ooh, who can I call and tell this?” That little portion of my brain, the part which is constantly looking for anecdote potential, is I believe what saves my reason, or what’s left of it.

H: How old are your children?

Q: My daughter is nine.

H: What is the single biggest thing that helps you focus on your creativity?

Q: Oddly enough, limited time. When I had no child, I had lots of ideas and nothing got done. There’s something about “The kid’s with the swim coach for the next fifty-two minutes and I have a notepad and a lipstick pencil” which really focuses the mind.

H: Do you have a tip for my readers who have written or are writing a book and hoping to have it published?

Q: I wish I did. Candidly, were I not a former child actor, I’m pretty certain I wouldn’t have gotten a deal. It’s not fair, but there it is. There are quite a few really talented bloggers I follow who should have gotten deals before me. Having said all that, I do think passion draws the eye. I’ll happily read about beekeeping, or manpris, or the history of salt, if you think that topic is worthy of time and attention. Your love of something draws my eye. I can’t help but think it would draw the eye of an editor and an agent as well.

Thanks so much for coming by Quinn!  It was a pleasure getting to know you :)

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