My Reading Problem: Author Interview – Reagan Chesnut @reaganchesnut

What makes you angry?

Internet message boards. Especially under news stories. I just cannot read them anymore. Anonymity is not necessarily a great thing when it means people don’t feel accountable or responsible for what they say.

Are you a city slicker or a country lover?

Work in the city, live in the country!

How do you think people perceive writers?

It depends. I think there’s some reverence for someone who has published, but I think there’s a reputation for arrogance as well. My hope is that people will perceive it as a job – I’d like the work the work to speak for itself.

What’s your next project?

I’m currently working on a playwriting exchange called Connecting Creativity with Irish theatre company The Breakaway Project. 10 actors team up with 10 writers to create an international simulcast production. The production is performed live in NYC and Dublin at the same time and broadcast via Skype. It’s an amazing project, and it’s the second time I’ve participated. I’m teamed up with an incredible Irish actor, Anthony Blake. You can see the previous installment’s performances on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/BreakAwayProject

What would you love to produce in your life?

I would love to have one (or two) completed children’s series.

How do you feel about self-publishing?

Obviously, I’m for it. In my case, it made the most sense. I wanted to get my work out quickly, and with a very specific illustrator. I’d love to team up with a publisher in the future and I’d love to get an agent, but for my first book, for my own sake, I needed to get it out there with full control.

Do you know your neighbors?

I live in the country, so I only occasionally pass them when I’m walking my dog.

How important are friends in your life?

Essential. I formed much of my adult life in the theatre community, where we are all very close. It’s important for me to have a network of people I can talk to. I don’t actually have many friends who live near me – most are in New York, Chicago, or Dublin – but I maintain friendships over the phone, skype, and facebook.

What social issues interest you the most?

Bullying concerns me, and I’m not sure we’ve found the answer with the bullying arrests that are being made, it seems in abundance, right now. I’m glad we’re cracking down, but we’re treating a symptom. We need to talk about the roots of bullying. We’re telling kids “You’re a bully!” and shaming on social media. It’s creating a bitter cycle. Do these kids even understand why they shouldn’t bully? My next book is going to deal with this a little bit, but I hesitate to be too preachy.

When you get free time on the internet or you go to the library – what do you want to read about?

On the internet, I read a lot of random facts. I go on Wikipedia and read about Francis Ferdinand or on Cracked.com and read about terrifying animals from Australia. I like to escape from the news when I have time to myself.

Do you find the time to read?

Yes and no. I haven’t read a book in about a year, but I “read” about one book per week. I have an hour long commute to work, so I spend at least 10 hours per week in the car, and I use that time to listen to audiobooks. I have 148 books in my audible library so far, and a long wishlist! I like to alternate every other audiobook with fiction and non-fiction. Right now I’m listening to Brandon Sanderson’s The Hero of Ages. Next up is Just My Type by Simon Garfield. It’s a book about fonts. I’m very excited.

Last book you purchased? Tell us about it.

Patrick Rothfuss’s Wise Man’s Fear. It’s a great series. I won’t spoil any of it, but I highly recommend it.

Who do you admire?

I admire my parents the most.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

I’ve learned to, for the most part, set worry aside and just be. It’s a quality that I’ve struggled with for so long that I’m very proud of myself now that I’ve made some headway.