In my monthly interviews, I try to cover the whole spectrum of writers and writing. Many of my guests have already published books, either traditionally or as indie authorpreneurs. Today I’m chatting to someone who is a retiree, a prolific blogger, and is working on her first novel. Like me, a late starter in the world of fiction. I met her via the Women in Publishing Summit and the associated Facebook group, but it is only in doing this interview that I discovered we have a shared love of Africa and have worked in some of the same countries in the past. My guest today is Robyn Michaels.

Hello Robyn and welcome. Let’s start by taking you back to your childhood. What was your favourite subject at school — and which was the lesson you always wanted to avoid?

My favorite subject in school was art. I come from a family of visual artists on my mother’s side. Her father painted, drew, and did marquetry—which is fitting cut wood pieces together—like mosaics. My two uncles have been graphic and commercial artists, and one did wood sculpture, so we kids were encouraged. I did a lot of oil painting and assemblages of ‘found objects’, but in my thirties, I lost interest. I guess grooming dogs (what a writer described as ‘moving topiary’ )became enough for me.

My least favorite subject has always been math. I know the concepts, but I find it tedious.

Talking about yourself, how would you finish the sentence “not a lot of people know…”?

…being visually oriented, I’ve always been interested in art, but my blog is called disparateinterests.wordpress.com I AM interested in all sorts of subjects: purebred dogs, dog training, competing with my dogs in performance (AKC rally and lure coursing, but also agility, nosework, etc). I didn’t go to college when I graduated high school in 1971. I was learning to groom dogs, and I loved being hands on. I went to Africa (Tanzania) the first time in 1985, and at the time, TZ had a 90% literacy rate and virtually no infrastructure. I knew I wanted to return. I took College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams and got two years of college credits so didn’t have to take prerequisites. I went part-time, attaining a B.A, in 1989 in anthropology, with a minor in international and environmental studies. It was during this time I read Oliver Sack’s book, An Anthropologist on Mars, in which Temple Grandin described how she felt to him. She’s probably the most well-known autistic person on earth. Among other things, she’s designed humane slaughter houses.

I got an assistantship to grad school, and got a MUPP (Master’s in urban planning and policy) in 1991. There were no jobs, so I signed up for Peace Corps, and served in Malawi in 1992—a very exciting time.

Returned, still no jobs, worked for a series of nonprofit organizations that were poorly and unethically run, and returned to grooming dogs. I retired two years ago. I’ve returned to Africa (Malawi/Zambia/Zimbabwe) three times. I’ve also titled dogs in conformation, obedience, rally, and lure coursing, and helped others choose show dogs.

How do you relax?

I relax by reading, going to movies, writing, and watching sighthounds run.

If you knew you only had 24 hours left, how would you spend them?

If I had only 24 hours to live I’d make sure people I trusted knew where & how I wanted my assets distributed, and make sure my dogs were cared for.

If you could change one law, what would it be?

So many laws need changing in the USA. Changing the law that says Supreme Court justices are appointed for life? That every government department that distributes money collected from taxes be audited every year. I live in Chicago. Don’t get me started. We are currently suffering malfeasance, but I bet more people know the top rappers/recording artists than know who their elected officials are!

If you could change one thing about yourself or your life so far, what would it be?

Be healthier/thinner, not have Asperger’s (I annoy so many people—I have no filter), and then I’d be more empathetic.

Describe your ideal menu — and where would you like to eat it?

Baked salmon with steamed or roasted broccoli, hollandaise sauce, roasted potato, ginger ale, and cake with buttercream icing.

Watch a film, go to the theatre, read a book or talk to friends — which would you prefer?

Watch a film.

What would you have printed on the front of your T-shirt?

“How do my personal choices affect YOU?”

Robyn, can you tell us something about your current work in progress?

I am currently doing a final edit on a novel I wrote about a Sikh guy from Africa who has Asperger’s. He’s brilliant at academic stuff and an inventor, but he is an other wherever he goes. He marries the wrong woman because she’s Sikh and pretty, but they are always at odds because she was educated by Catholic nuns. I call it The Pleasure Seeker because that’s the name of his band.

Thank you Robyn for taking the time to chat to us today and good luck with the novel. Readers, you can find Robyn’s blog here.