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Author Revealed

Ann Pearlman
ann pearlman

Ann Pearlman

Ann Pearlman, Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award Nominee, is the author of Infidelity: A Memoir, The Christmas Cookie Club, and The Christmas Cookie Cookbook. She lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Author Revealed:
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. Read. Read. Read. Write. Devote your best time of day to it.
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Ann Pearlman Revealed
About Ann Pearlman
  • What is your birthdate?:
    12/25
  • Previous occupations:
    I've worked as a fly catcher, protective services, school, prison, child quidance clinic therapist and in private practice.
  • Favorite job:
    writing, psychotherapy, art
  • High school and/or college:
    Allderdice, University of Pittsburgh, University of Iowa, Case Western Reserve
  • Name of your favorite composer or music artist?:
    Too many to list one and I like all kinds of music from classical, blues, rock, rap, folk.
  • Favorite movie:
    Bambi, my first.
  • Favorite television show:
    Treme, Wire, Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Glee
Revealing Questions
Q. How would you describe your life in only 8 words?
A. An exciting adventure full of family, love, and risks.
Q. What is your motto or maxim?
A. Follow your bliss, but consider others.
Q. How would you describe perfect happiness?
A. A day in which I write all morning and it's one of those times when I have the sense of taking dictation from the gods. Then in the afternoon go for a walk, or swim, or do yoga. Spend a few hours painting or doing sculpture with my eclectic collection of music playing in the background and that night have family and friends over for a great group cooked meal or go dancing.
Q. What’s your greatest fear?
A. Dying alone.
Q. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you choose to be?
A. Right here.
Q. With whom in history do you most identify?
A. Probably my grandmother.
Q. Which living person do you most admire?
A. We're all works in progress
Q. What are your most overused words or phrases?
A. just. so. well.
Q. What do you regret most?
A. What you regret is a great teacher. That knowledge erases regrets.
Q. If you could acquire any talent, what would it be?
A. singing
Q. What is your greatest achievement?
A. my children
Q. What’s your greatest flaw?
A. perseverance and optimism
Q. What’s your best quality?
A. perseverance and optimism
Q. If you could be any person or thing, who or what would it be?
A. Me.
Q. What trait is most noticeable about you?
A. My acceptance and love of people
Q. Who is your favorite fictional hero?
A. Usually the people in whatever book I'm reading that I love.
Q. Who is your favorite fictional villain?
A. Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, the hero/villain in Perfume, a man born with a terrible flaw that is also a gift.
Q. If you could meet any historical character, who would it be and what would you say to him or her?
A. I would love to meet and see the world through the eyes of an early human like Lucy or Ardi. I'd like to transport forward a hundred years and talk to someone from this planet.
Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?
A. Pet peeve-- people who are very late or always changing meeting times. Really a problem for me: lying.
Q. What is your favorite occupation, when you’re not writing?
A. art and being a psychotherapist
Q. What’s your fantasy profession?
A. anthropologist, oceanographer, surgeon, rock singer
Q. What 3 personal qualities are most important to you?
A. openness, honesty, excitement about life
Q. If you could eat only one thing for the rest of your days, what would it be?
A. My own cooking. (I know, that's not fair!)
Q. What are your 5 favorite songs?
A. I'm greedy. I love too many songs to pick just five.
On Books and Writing
Q. Who are your favorite authors?
A. Philip Roth, Margaret Atwood, Russell Banks, Toni Morrison, Doctorow, Eugenides, David Mitchell, Colum McCann
Q. What are your 5 favorite books of all time?
A. I’m a promiscuous reader and have been since I was a kid. There are so many books that have enriched my life, it’s difficult to pick five without a bunch of others popping into my mind shouting, what about me, and what about me?
Q. Is there a book you love to reread?
A. Margaret Atwoods’ Blind Assassin
Q. Do you have one sentence of advice for new writers?
A. Read. Read. Read. Write. Devote your best time of day to it.
Q. What comment do you hear most often from your readers?
A. They love my characters and want to know more.