This is a very late interview with our Week 42 “Gift” #BlogBattle Winner. But I suppose I subscribe to the old adage, “better late than never!” Claire’s story, The Strange Gift, was a wonderfully fantastical story about a girl who learned to love books in the most magical way. If you haven’t read it yet you should pop on over and enjoy it.

So, here with me is author & full-time student Claire Banschbach, ready to be interrogated . . . errr . . . I mean interviewed. Thanks for coming, Claire! We’re pleased as punch you could stop by.

I just have to know,

1) If you had to give up writing in order to pursue your career after graduation would you have to stop and think about it, or would it be a no-brainer? Why or why not?

I’d have to stop and think about it for a while. I’ve put the last six years of my life towards my chosen career path. I really love PT and can’t wait to get out of school and start practicing. But I also love writing. So it would be a really hard decision. But at this point, the monetary gain from PT will be way higher than writing, so if we’re looking at it from a mercenary standpoint like that, then I’d give up writing. I’m not quite the “starving artist” type. Haha!! 😛

I have a feeling that even if you did give it up if that was your only choice it wouldn’t give up you, so writing would eventually sneak back into your life. haha Besides, even if you are a talented physical therapist, you’re also a talented writer! 😉

2) Out of every place you’ve ever traveled, what has been your favorite? Did it inspire any settings in your books? If so, which book? What setting?

That’s a tough question. One place that always stands out Zion National Park in Utah. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. As for inspiring settings in a book? Zion hasn’t yet, but there’s another park in Utah called Bryce Canyon with these really awesome rock formations that have inspired a setting in a story to be written someday.

I’ve always wanted to go there. Maybe someday I will. 🙂 I love interesting rock formations. Spires, cliffs, conglomerate boulders in the middle of nowhere…landscapes are so inspiring! 🙂

3) Florence NightinAlien is pounding on your door at 2 o’clock in the morning. You answer bleary-eyed and a little crabby at having the best dream of your life interrupted. Florrie is so excited, he just couldn’t wait to make a deal. He has brought with him a dream-0-scope which allows you watch your dreams like a movie on a big screen, but in order to keep it you have to give him 55% of each of your paychecks for the next 33 years. Do you take the deal?

No. If he takes 55% I won’t have enough to spend on books after taking care of the rest of the bills. 😛 And really, I don’t think my dreams are that interesting. Occasionally I get a really crazy one that I remember, but otherwise they’re not too exciting.

Haha Maybe that’s a good thing. I get it. 55% is pretty steep! Still, to be able to watch my dreams on the big screen…oh wait, that’s my books I want to see. haha Same thing? 😉

Thanks so much for having me over! The questions were great as always. 🙂

We were so happy to have you stop by, Claire! It’s fun to ask you oddball questions and learn more about you! You’re a joy and an inspiration!

Thanks for stopping in to hang out with Claire and me for a while. We had fun and hope you did, too! Don’t forget to check out Claire’s blog and more about her published books!