What is the best thing that I love about my work? The actual working: when the writing is going well and the words snap into place; when I have that elusive feeling that I’ve gotten it right; when something feels done.

What is my idea of perfect happiness? Good book, good food, good drink…and me surrounded with those things outside under a crystal blue sky.

What is my greatest fear? Rats, mice, vermin in general…oh, and failure.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? There could not be a person on earth as impatient as I am.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire? Writers I admire for their body of work and for their commitment to the craft must include Margaret Atwood, Joan Didion, and Pat Barker.

What is my greatest extravagance? Boots, French perfume, and fabulous cookware.

On what occasion would I lie? I’m a fiction writer, so I’m pretty sure I’m lying all the time…possibly even right now.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? The business side of the writing life can be disheartening…sending out work, seeing it rejected. Even harder is seeing my talented former students send out their work, when I know much of it will be rejected. I can be only on the sidelines, hoping that they have the stamina and faith to keep writing.

When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I grew up practically living at the public library, and I still remember that thrill of looking up my first novel in the public library. There it was in the database! Checked out by someone!

If I could, what would I change about myself? I would love to be three inches taller, to be 5 foot 9 inches. But that’s impossible, so I would also love to be one of those people who thrives on 3 hours of sleep. Given how much I love sleeping, this is equally impossible.

What is my greatest achievement in work? Writing in spite of the rejections and the challenges: persevering.

Where would I most like to live? New York City…with a hefty bank account. Or double that hefty bank account and sign me up for London!

What is my most treasured possession? I have a small down-filled blanket that is the perfect size and perfect weight that I often travel with, so I guess this adult woman will have to say “my blankie.”

What is my most marked characteristic? There could not be a person on earth more stubborn than I am. (I’ll call it a strength though my husband might disagree.)

What is my most inspirational location, in my city? I live in suburban Washington, DC, in Alexandria, VA, a town founded in 1749. There’s a church cemetery in the middle of downtown, alongside Christ Church (opened in 1773), that I often walk through for its whiff of timelessness and the billowy dogwood flowering in the spring. 

What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? I’m a pretty good cook, so I’m going to have to say my own house. And my husband has become an expert at mixing elegant cocktails in vintage barware, so once again it’s my own house for the drinks! If we must leave the house, we’ll head to DC, to The Columbia Room for heavenly cocktails and Jaleo, for artful tapas.

Links: http://columbiaroomdc.com/ https://www.jaleo.com/location/washington-dc/

What books influenced my life and how? The Great Gatsby taught me how to structure a novel. Moby-Dick showed me the power of ambition and rule-breaking. The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien demonstrated the scope of what “story” is. And the relentless short fiction of Flannery O’Connor offered proof that words can (and should) be used with lacerating precision.

Who are my favorite writers? An ever-shifting list but at this moment, I’ll toss out J.D. Salinger, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Willa Cather, Joan Didion, Lionel Shriver, Flannery O’Connor, Pat Barker, and Walt Whitman…in no particular order.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? Lots of albums could fulfill me, but if I can only pick one, it’s “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane. Or “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys. Both offer the scope of a journey.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Growing up, I gravitated toward Holden Caulfield and his attempt to steer clear of the phonies. I also immediately fell in love with Harriet the Spy, Laura Ingalls, and Meg in A Wrinkle in Time. (If I want to be entirely truthful, I’ll add Nancy Drew.) My first adult fictional heroine was Elizabeth Bennett, and I still can’t be sure Mr. Darcy was fabulous enough for her.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? I don’t tend to lionize real life people, but I’m in awe of anyone willing to stand up for artistic freedom so Pussy Riot and Ai Weiwei come to mind.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Apocalypse Now, promptly followed by the documentary about the making of the movie, immediately followed by a second viewing of Apocalypse Now followed by a (re)reading of Heart of Darkness.

What role plays art in my life and work? I can’t separate the two; my life and my art are entwined. I’m a lucky girl that way.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?  The nod goes to my husband who knows firsthand that it’s not easy being married to a writer.

Whom would I like to work with in 2018?  I love my agent, editor, and my writer friends, so I’ll be boring and just say more of the same, please.

Which people in my profession would I love to meet in 2018? Lionel Shriver, though the thought of sitting at a table across from her instantly sends me deep into a cold sweat of nervous fear.

What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to working on? A new novel idea has been tickling at me for a year now, and I’m hoping that 2018 is when I get to jump in. I’ve been writing some character sketches, and I’m longing to push these people into action. I miss not feeling immersed in a Big Project such as a novel-in-progress.

Where can you see me or my work in 2018? My new novel SILVER GIRL will be out from Unnamed Press (based in L.A.) on February 28, 2018! I’ll be doing some readings and conferences and festivals throughout the year, as noted on my website: www.lesliepietrzyk.com (Always up for more, so drop me a line if you run a reading series/workshop!)

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I think of Dylan Thomas: “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Keep creating, keep caring, keep sharing one’s singular vision with the world, whether the world is interested or not.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story? Paula Whyman and Carolyn Parkhurst are two of my funniest, fiercest female writer friends.

Links: http://paulawhyman.com/

http://www.carolynparkhurst.com/

How can you contact me? I love social media, so I’m active on Facebook and Twitter (@lesliepwriter). Poke around my website and you’ll find my email address (along with some of my favorite recipes): www.lesliepietrzyk.com

Amazon link to SILVER GIRL: https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Girl-Leslie-Pietrzyk/dp/194470051X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1515791456&sr=8-4

Goodreads link to SILVER GIRL: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35420454-silver-girl