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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET ROSS ANTHONY
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| Ross Anthony |
I remember writing poems in third grade. I had to write seven of them. The first one was fun, but then it seemed so hard to make up more poems. I was stumped. That's funny, because later, after college, I was a member of three or four poetry groups. I must have written over a hundred poems at that time and I liked to go to poetry readings once a week or more.
And then in Eighth Grade, I remember a story writing assignment. I loved it. I lost myself in my story. It was probably the first time I was really proud of an assignment. Still, I didn't think of myself as a writer.
Then, as a junior in High School, my teacher made us write in a journal everyday. At first I felt burdened by having to write something everyday. I didn't want to do it. But, I gave in; I gave it a try. And, guess what? I wrote in it everyday for 10 years. By the time I was 25 I had a stack of journals a foot high. I never expected to enjoy it so much -- to even need it so much. I learned a great deal about myself in those journals and without really trying, it seemed, I honed my writing skills.
When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing career?
By the time I went to college, I knew I liked to write, but I also liked to draw and paint, and I loved to play music. Still, I guess, I didn't really think of majoring in these subjects. Perhaps, I felt that I was already enjoying them so much in my free time. Additionally, I was quite good with numbers and logic, so, perhaps ironically, I ended up double majoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. Still, I played, painted and wrote all through college.
Do you do other types of writing - for example, educational, nonfiction, magazine work?
Yes, I write all kinds of stuff. But, besides books, I mostly write celebrity interviews and movie reviews. I've written over a thousand of those and you can read them at www.HollywoodReportCard.com
What kinds of things inspire you to write?
I love the word "Inspire." "To Inspire" is the underlying theme of all my work. What inspires me to write are the same things that inspire me to enjoy life. Writing is the tool I use to pass that inspiration along.
What really triggers your imagination?
Everything triggers my imagination. The way ice floats in a soda. A conversation I had that I didn't like. I imagine it all over again, but better, where I get to say things that are really cool. The way the Earth spins around the sun. That's so cool. There are so many things that make me curious and when I'm curious ... I wonder ... and when I wonder ... I imagine. If you're good at imagining, try writing some of it down!
When you do school visits, what question do children ask you most?
I love to answer student questions during my presentations at schools. I like it most when their questions are as unique as they are. A common question is: "Is it hard to write a book?" I usually say, "Well, only the first one." If you'd like me to answer your questions in person at your school, just have your teacher arrange for me to speak there. Have her call 1-800-767-7186.
What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?
To believe in themselves. To not be afraid to dream big. To not be afraid of writing -- it's only another way to communicate -- it's talking with paper. And to welcome red marks from their teachers. To not feel stupid when that happens, it just means their teachers have taken the time to help them improve. My editors mark up my manuscripts all the time. I'd be upset if they didn't. This all adds up to better writing. It has nothing to do with a negative judgement about the writer.
Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?
I cherish my fan letters. And I'm lucky enough to get a lot of them. You can read some of them at www.RossAnthony.com/books. (Just scroll down a bit on that page) If you've read any of my books -- I'd love to hear from you too!