Monday, August 1, 2011

Interview with Reader Len L



Len Lambert has always loved writing and reading. She reads and loves all kinds of genre but focuses more on stories with a family element in them. She also likes auto-biographies and reads self-help books where she believes anyone can learn a lot from.


Len has a bachelor’s degree in office administration and worked for almost 20 years in the corporate world. Last year, however, she became a full-time mother and decided to fulfill her long-time dream to be a writer. She now writes in her spare time. Her short story, Discovering the Gift, will be included in the Tiny Dancer anthology.




Deirdra: What are your favorite kind of books to read and why?


Len: I read all kinds of books. I love rom-com/chicklit, family drama, science fiction, YA and Middle Grade books. I like to try different genres although I lean more on stories with a family element in them. I like reading something that I can relate to. When I read a rom-com or chicklit and I can identify with the character, I can laugh at my own mistakes and see the humour in it. I learn not to take myself too seriously. Then I also love family drama, MG and YA because I can see the reality of life in them, too. There are parts that resonate with me and that make me think. Each book has a message in it and I think it’s up to the reader to find that message.

Deirdra: How many books on average would you say you read a year?

Len: It varies. I think if I find a book each time that is really very interesting. You know the kind where you don’t want to even get up to go to the loo for a break! Haha! I think I will be able to finish one each day but I don’t always find that kind of book. I can finish reading two books in a good week.

Deirdra: What is the most recent book you read? Can you tell us a little about it?


Len: I’ve recently finished Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult.
I have read four other books of Jodi Picoult. I must say, this, so far, is the best. Very beautifully written. So poetic from beginning to end. With the most impressive details, obviously a well-researched work. I’ve posted a review on my blog, here’s the link: http://carpediem202.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-recommendation-handle-with-care-by.html

Deirdra: Who are your top five favorite authors?

Len: Only five? Can I mention more than five? Margaret Atwood, Jodi Picoult, Sophie Kinsella, Diane Chamberlain, Stephen King, Paulo Coelho, JK Rowling, Rosamund Lupton. I think I can go on and on. Sorry, that's more than five.

Deirdra: How do you feel about e-books?


Len: If I had a Kindle, I’d certainly go for e-books! It’s definitely going to be the in-thing. But I must admit, I still love print copies. I love looking at the colourful cover, I love the smell of the pages and the worn out edges that you see after reading the whole thing.

Deirdra: If you could give a message to authors what would it be?


Len: I’d like them to know that they are an inspiration to an aspiring writer like me...and that when a writer gets published or something good happens to them, other writers rejoice, too. I do.

Books entertain, inform and educate. They also help, develop and improve people's imagination and creativeness, most especially children. For that, I'd like to thank them.


Deirdra: Have you ever thought about writing a book?

Len: I’ve been writing since I was in high school. I wrote a story about twins falling in love with the same man and my first avid reader was my sister. She waited for each chapter to finish. That was a comic book and I used unused and old notebooks from school to write the story. I don’t remember if I was able to finish it or not. I’ve recently finished a magical story about a boy in a wheelchair but I’ve now completely abandoned it because I couldn’t improve the plot. My current WIP is a family drama. So, yes, I am writing. One of my essays has been submitted to a book project called Fascinating Females. I’m hoping it gets published by end of 2011.

Deirdra: What other talents and hobbies do you have?

Len: I paint and draw. I wouldn’t call it talent, though, haha! I just like doing it. I used to paint using oil but now I just do sketches. I draw anything - trees, boats, flowers, people.

Deirdra: Where is your favorite place to read?


Len: I like to read before bedtime but I really enjoy reading when I’m outside by a dike or sea, on a bench under a tree. I love feeling the wind against my skin while reading, it’s so relaxing.

Deirdra: Do you have a favorite reading snack?


Len: Cheesecake and coffee and more coffee :)

Deirdra: What books have made you cry?


Len: Jodi Picoult’s Handle with Care and Rosamund Lupton’s Sister are both heartbreaking.

Deirdra: What books have made you laugh?


Len: Sophie Kinsella’s books have made me laugh! I can remember laughing so hard that my eyes welled up when I was reading The Undomestic Goddess and Remember Me?

Deirdra: What kind of books are you looking to read next? What is on your reading list?

Len: There’s so many, Deirdra. Most of them are recommended by friends but because I get books faster than I can read them, they pile up! I am currently reading When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman.

Deirdra: Is there any other message you would like to give the literary community?

Len: I find the literary community so supportive and so caring. We believe in each other and we let each other know that. My writer friend, Theresa Milstein, wrote a wonderful post about this on India Drummond’s blog, here’s the link: http://www.indiadrummond.com/2011/04/21/q-is-for-a-quality-community/. I think that she’s said every word that’s in my heart. So, to the blogging/literary community, thank you. I heart you all!


My blog link: http://carpediem202.blogspot.com/

Thank you for having me on your blog, Deirdra!

19 comments:

  1. Hello Deirdra and thank you for interviewing the always so lovely Len! It's great to read that she's also a painter and artist too and that she's inspired by all these amazing authors and books!! I wish her well with her own fabulous writing career!! Take care
    x

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  2. I'm like you Len! Not only could I not choose just five authors I love (though you chose great ones), but I couldn't NOT read a print copy! I love them!!!

    I own a Kindle and never use it. I just can't get into it. I'll always love my bookshelves with beauties!

    Great interview! You're fabulous!

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  3. Great interview, Deirdra! It's always nice to hear about fellow writers and their successes. =)

    Btw, THANK YOU SO MUCH for the award! You really made my day. Your artwork is BEAUTIFUL! You are so talented. ;)

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  4. Deirdra, I always enjoy your interviews. It's such a learning experience, listening to writers.
    My best to Len and her varied interests.

    Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck

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  5. Awesome interview, Len! I completely agree about the support writers find with each other--it means a lot to me, too!

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  6. Hi Deidra,

    Thanks for hosting Len and asking her to share about her...it was lovely reading about you, Len!

    Deidra, thanks for awarding me the Best of Romance Blog award! It sounds lovely and the award is lovely!

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  7. @Old Kitty - Thank you! I wish you well too! :)

    @Jen - Oh Jen, there are just too many great authors out there! And to tell you honestly, I think I still have yet to discover a lot lot more!

    @Cherie - Thank you! Glad to meet another fellow writer too! Will go over your blog and follow :)

    @Manzanita - thank you! Wish you well too!

    @Faith - I have found the most supportive friends within the writing community. It's amazing!

    @Nas - Thank you, Nas! I will be over your blog so I can follow! :)

    Thank you Deirdra for this enjoyable interview.

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  8. deidra,
    thanks for your award.
    all the best to you and your blog.
    nikonsniper steve

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  9. Coffee and cheesecake?! I LOVE coffee and cheesecake. Len, we have a new plan for our future get-together.

    Deidra, thanks for letting me know more about my friend Len. I'm glad I found your blog.

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  10. hi miss deidra and miss len! wow! cool interview. now i know lots more bout you miss len. :) i dont have a kindle either. im like you cause i like holding a for real book but i been thinking i could like a kindle some day.
    ...hugs from lenny

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  11. @Theresa - yay! I didn't know you like cheesecake too! :)

    @Lenny - Hi Lenny!!!! HUGS!!!! So glad to see you on line! :) You made my day! :)

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  12. Deirdra what a wonderful interview with my friend Len.

    Len...Coffee and cheesecake....oh no Irish tea and cheesecake!

    Well done on the first of many interviews. I enjoyed learning more about you. :)

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  13. @Ann - I'd love to try Irish tea with you :) plus lots of cheesecake, too! :)

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  14. It was so lovely to learn more about my friend, Len. Thanks for an interesting post, Deidra.

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  15. Great interview with my virtual friend Len, now I know even more about her :)

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  16. Great interview! It's nice to learn more about Len. :)

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  17. Great interview, ladies!I love Sophie Kinsella, too. And Len, get a Kindle! :) You'll love it.

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  18. Congratulations Len. Miss you girlfriend.

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