The following are answers to questions commonly asked of Lulu by her readers:
1. How did you become a writer?
I have been writing since I was about nine or ten when I kept a journal, wrote poetry, and even political speeches. A friend told me one day, “Why not just call yourself a writer? You are a writer?” That was all I needed as an impetus.
2. How has technology changed the way writers can publish today?
Well, obviously the internet and all its fancy bells and whistles has affected all of us. I love it! When I got my first rejection letter, I just went ahead and began publishing myself. I took the power into my own hands.
3. What is different or special about your writing?
You can expect anything with me. I can be romantic, poetic, harsh, cool, sexy, insightful, gritty, erotic, and down right crass at any given moment.
4. Are these stories true?
Stephan Colbert invented the term “Truthie”… So that’s what I’d have to call it. The stories take place in a certain time and place in history, so that’s going to seem familiar. Like any author I am inspired by true life incidents and characters, but the names have been changed to protect the guilty… ha!
5. What sets you apart from other writers?
I am not trying to create a novel with a plot really…these are stories that amuse, befuddle, shock, or make the reader think or feel something. I’m always looking for the punch, the nuance, the double meaning, the joke, the realization…
6. Who are the stories based on?
Kristie is the main character. Everything happens to her or her friends and family in my writing. She is loosely based on me, my experiences and observations, but with the added insight of the writer’s omniscience.
7. What do you do when you’re not writing?
I garden, swim, sing, dance, and enjoy my life as a wife and homemaker.
8. Who does the art on your page?
I must confess, it is me. I have always dabbled in all of the arts. I like painting and drawing, but would hardly call myself an artist. Maybe a folk artist? … I have many friends who are professional artists. I would hardly compare myself to them, but I needed some color on the page, so I started putting up some of my dabbles.
9. What does “POOH” stand for?
POOH stands for Pacific Organization of the Humanities. Back in high school a bunch of us artsy types had our own group like the Dead Poets’ Society. We were all in theater, speech, music, writing, and art classes together.
10. Is Lulu Laforge your real name?
No, it’s my drag name! Ha! Seriously it is a family name that I chose as a nom d’ plume. I wanted to protect the innocent and talk dirty at the same time. This way people I truly know can remain in denial.
11. What do you hope to achieve with your various projects?
I hope to entertain myself as well as others. Sometimes I have a message and sometimes I am writing for pure amusement. I hope my readers will smile, laugh, cry, think, be shocked and amazed… If a piece doesn’t do that for me, it isn’t working.
12. Sometimes I feel like I know you?
You may know me as a performer, a teacher, or a friend. My stories may seem familiar because we have all been living together in the same place and time… and that part is true.
