Today’s interview is with Lois Letchford who used adversity as motivation to write her memoir.
LQ: Tell me a little bit about yourself:
I am a mother, teacher, author, and speaker. Being dyslexic, and struggling with writing all my life, I did not choose to become an author. However, in 1995, when the school diagnostician called my son the “worst kid ever,” I knew I was part of a story. I didn’t know where it would take me, but as I left her office I thought “I’ll never forget those words.” She attempted to tell me my son “would never learn to read.”
Instead, she lit a fire. I returned to her office to say, “If my son is as you say, the ‘worst kid ever,’ then don’t expect him to learn like everyone else.”
Thus, my passion for teaching reading was born. I went on to teach not only my son to read and write effectively, but many other students also. That was my teaching career.
Following my husband and his work, put me in a position where I could no longer teach. What would I like to do? I would like to tell my story. But I don’t write, thus a problem.
The thought never left me. I started just putting thoughts on paper. Going to a local writer’s group put my in contact with fellow writers, and a young editor.
“I’ll work with you if you want to write your story,” she suggested. And we did. I wrote, she edited, mentored, and coached me for fifteen months, before my book was published.
I am now proud of the story written.
LQ: What does your writing process look like?
LL: It’s a bit messy! I write from the heart, but I write. I find my first drafts are best-written long-hand. It is something about the process which helps me think more clearly. Next, I transfer the material to the computer. I make use of Grammarly, and Google docs for sentence structure, grammar, and punctuation. Using technological tools available has made a huge difference to my writing.
LQ: What was your favorite book to write so far?
LL: The only book I’ve written and published is Reversed: A Memoir. I love it as I know readers to continue reading.
LQ: Who is your favorite character to write about?
LL: My favorite characters are the mean ones! Mrs. Sharpe, a nasty person in my story was an interesting chapter to write. I felt the emotion in the situation and was able to translate that into quite a fun scenario.
LQ: Who are your favorite authors? Have any of them influenced your work?
LL: Yes, I do have favorite authors. I have a notebook titled Mentor Texts. I enjoy reading non-fiction far more than fiction, however, I have turned to some of the “great” authors such as Charles Dickens, Phillippa Gregory, Jill Kerr Conway, and Bill Bryson. I read like a writer and dissect their words, often using their thoughts and ideas to inspire my work.
LQ: How are you doing during the current pandemic?
LL: Writing, reaching out to people, sending emails, promoting my book, writing blogs, connecting with people. The list is endless.
LQ: What are you currently working on?
LL: I am currently working on two books: A second adult book and a children’s book. The second adult book is untitled and it has taken me quite some time to work out how to put it together, however, I write this one in ‘spurts.’ I need more input to complete it, but I continue to work on it.
The second is an illustrated children’s book. This one is fun, as I work closely with the illustrator to match the words and the pictures. The title of this book is I saw a cat. This book is a book of short poems and sentences for children displaying how complex language can be for beginners. This has been a fun project.
LQ: Anything else you would like to share?
LL: My advice for anyone interested in becoming an author is simple – read and write a lot. To begin, just write, as a blank page cannot be edited. Once a person begins the writing process, there is no end to what you can learn, or what you can do! Enjoy reading. Enjoy writing.