Ask the Author: Marlene Wagman-Geller
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and moved to San Diego, California, many moons ago. Currently, I teach high school English and in whatever spare time I can muster I write.
What is your book about for those who haven’t read it?
I have published nine books of non-fiction; the last has revolved around women’s platforms. My most recently published book is entitled Fabulous Female Firsts: Because of Them We Can. The premise of the book is to showcase the ladies who went where no woman had gone before: to the summit of Everest, to outer space, to the Supreme Court Bench, and so forth.
What has been your inspiration for writing it?
My inspiration for FFF was to give credit to those women who paved the wave for those who followed. As it transpired, many of their names and lives have been regulated to the dustbin of history.
What was your favorite scene or part of your book to write?
My favorite aspect-at the same time the most challenging-was to unearth the stories of these intrepid women. At times, this was a daunting task because not only did the individuals have to be trailblazers; they also had to have had fascinating lives in order to make their chapters interesting.
What books or authors inspired you to become a writer?
Some books that inspired me have been Wuthering Heights, The Count of Monte Christo, the short stories of Dorothy Parker and Oscar Wilde. (tip of the iceberg)
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write a book?
My advice to aspiring authors is to not listen to the naysayers, to remember that dreams do not just have to be for sleeping.
