Tell us about yourself.:
I was born in Rome to a Viennese mother who had found a modicum of safety there during World War II. We emigrated to Argentina, back to Europe, and back to Argentina before finally arriving in the New York when I was seven.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NY in a neighborhood of fellow Europeans displaced by war and persecution. Their stories and memories of my own family lie at the core of my historical novel ALL THAT LINGERS.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write myself a lot of little notes that get scattered all over my desk and in different notebooks. I'm sure I miss some very good ideas that way.
What authors have influenced you?
I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NY in a neighborhood of fellow Europeans displaced by war and persecution. Their stories and memories of my own family lie at the core of my historical novel ALL THAT LINGERS.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don't be afraid. Read "On Writing" by Stephen King. Read a good book. You can find inspiration in the turn of phrase, the description of a setting or a character's body language.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Write a book that you would like to read.
What are you reading now?
Grammar for a Full Life by Lawrence Weinstein. It's wonderful.
What’s your biggest weakness?
Plot. I love characters but characters need actions not just thoughts.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Impossible to answer. Books speak to you differently at different times of your life. When I was eight, LITTLE WOMEN was the best book ever. When I was twelve I fell in love with Dickens. When I was twenty I read every book Erich Maria Remarque wrote, no matter how badly translated some of them were. When I was twenty-five it was Kurt Vonnegut. And so it goes.
When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
My husband and I love traveling. When home, I like to do something creative. I have lots of art supplies and a room full of fabrics, so I won't run out of possibilities.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
It's not the first story. But when I was six I was given Alice in Wonderland with blank pages scattered throughout to allow the reader to illustrate it. My mother did the reading and I did the drawing.
What has inspired you and your writing style?
ALL THAT LINGERS was inspired by the history I grew up with, and the love of books with characters I could identify with. THE BEST THING ABOUT BENNETT was inspired by Ann Tyler and the compassion she shows for her characters.
What are you working on now?
a new novel with a small group of characters.
What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
I haven't completely figured that out yet. It is hard to do marketing alone. All help is appreciated and having a chance to meet potential readers through websites like this is a wonderful opportunity.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Hopefully another novel.
How well do you work under pressure?
At my age, I am not writing to build a career but for the joy of it.
How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
I want my readers to care about my characters whether the issues they are facing are small and personal, or larger ones like facing totalitarian regimes.
If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
I hope my books communicate what I believe – that kindness matters, that hatred and revenge are always destructive, that people can overcome terrible circumstances, that relationships and connectedness are at the root of happiness, that people need acknowledgment and sense of purpose.
Irene Wittig’s Author Websites and Profiles
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