Interview with
Penelope Crowe,
Author of
100 Unfortunate
Days
Questions:
R. Murry
Can
you tell me a little about yourself?
I am currently a writer
and artist—and probably SHOULD have been doing this all along. I have been
everything from a small business owner to VP of sales for an outsourcing
company, which by the way, was NOT my cup of tea. I write dark fiction/horror
and also children’s books. I illustrate both.
Do
you remember the first story you wrote?
Yes. J It was called
The Littlest Grape—written and illustrated by six year old me…so nothing has
changed. It was the tale of a grape that was so tiny that no one wanted to pick
him. Then one day Tanya and Tory picked him and he was made into fine wine.
Were
you inspired by someone or something?
I don’t know if inspired is the word—I just always
wrote and drew. I was inspired by other people’s art, and I would try and
recreate what I saw. My father set up an art area for me in the basement with
paints and a table with a light.
What
do you like about writing a story?
Neat question. I like winging it. I like starting
with a singular idea and letting it go where it wants to go. I love to
integrate situations or visuals into a story that do not seem to fit and see if
they manifest into something new.
Can
you tell us about your book?
100 Unfortunate Days is a book that does not fit
into a regular mold. There is no story to speak of and it is written in diary
form. Each ‘day’ is a completely new and different idea from the day before. It
is very dark and does not have a plot. Some have categorized it as
psychological horror, some as dark fiction. It is a look into madness and
questions good and evil. It is a book not for everyone. A few people said they had
creepy things happen to them after they read the book—especially at 3 a.m..
Are
you working on something new at the moment?
Yes. I am finishing a horror anthology called The
Daughter of Nostradamus, and an illustrated children’s book called Art Mouse
about an art-loving girl named Mary who
meets a mouse that has a gallery behind
the walls of her house.
Do
you have any tips for aspiring writers?
Only do it if you love it. It is consuming and takes
up too much time for a job that you don’t care for.
Where
can people go to read your work?
My work is available on Amazon—children’s books
under the name Dea Lenihan and dark and creepy as Penelope Crowe.
My latest:
100 UNFORTUNATE DAYS by Penelope Crowe (which is
$.99 today only) http://www.amazon.com/100-Unfortunate-Days-ebook/dp/B009WR2BFO/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1358715110&sr=1-1&keywords=100+unfortunate+days
Latest illustrated by me:
THE OPEN PILLOW written by David Rowinski,
illustrated by yours truly.
Do you have anything to add?
Thank you so much for
having me Roy. Much appreciated.
Here are my links:
I also write reviews. I loved Penelope Crowe's 100 Unfortunate Days...I found that she had totally gotten inside of my head. Some of the views were like, "Yeah, I've thought that very same thing."
ReplyDeleteI loved the format of it, the illustrations, the poetry etc that it contained. Although, it is dark, I would definitely recommend it to anyone. I easily gave it 5 stars!!
XO Beth!!
DeleteThanks so much for commenting.
Pen
Great interview, Roy and Penelope! Love your writing and of course...the mouse. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Beverly! XO
DeleteArt Mouse will soon have his own book!
XO
Pen
Great interview! I loved 100 days. I found it to be the most unique writing and delivery of fiction I've read in years, if ever. Definitely a very worthy read for all lovers of horror or the Bizarre.
ReplyDeleteBrooklyn
Thanks Brooklyn :)
DeleteSometimes I wonder what catagory it would fall under actually...wish they had one has bizarre or weird at Amazon!
Thanks for the kind words,
XO
Pen
You're very welcome! But I've been thinking about this and have a few more things to add (of course!)
Delete#1) I can't tell you how often I found myself emotionally rattled while reading this book! Many times I agreed with this mad woman, but a few times I just wanted to shake her as her opinions pissed me off more than once (eg., Her description of pet owners and also her little dig at reality tv (my fave!) However, that is EXACTLY what made this a riveting read!
#2) For Mr. Murry...Great post and review; however, it's been eating at me for a few days...why did you feel it necessary to begin your review with an OUTING of the author's use of pseudonym? As authors, some choose to use pseudonyms for various reasons and rarely advertise this...otherwise, what is the point? I use my own birth name, but have (in the past) written under pseudonyms. Whichever name we've written that particular work under should be taken as the AUTHOR'S NAME and not OUTED or highlighted...I feel it is unnecessary information that goes somewhat against the purpose.
Review has been edited. B|
DeleteExcellent interview. Your advice for writers is spot on - you really have to love it to do it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Katheryn :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think you can't help but do it if you really love it.
That quote about finding the work you love and never working a day in your life is true in my opinion. And oh the lucky ones that can make enough money to live!!
XO
Pen
What a great interview! It is so nice to get to know you better Penelope, and Roy, great job as always.
ReplyDeletePaul R. Hewlett
Thanks for stopping in Paul--much appreciated.
DeleteXO
Pen