Straight Chatting from the Library: Lisa Diane Kastner

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READ THE INTERVIEW

What is the favorite book you remember as a child?

I loved the Count of Monte Cristo. I loved it so much that when we had to do an oral book report on it, I winged it and animatedly recited the story.

What is your favorite book today?

Ohh … I’m only allowed one? Eep. I can’t really name one. I’ll name one of them – Junot Diaz. The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao was sheer genius. I savored each and every page. I loved the side comments as footnotes. They really brought the story to life.

What books do you have on hold at the library?

I tend to buy my books either new or at a used book store.

Do you have any bad book habits?

Bad book habits? I tend to read a book and then put it down for a while. Pick up another book, put it down for a while, and so on. That said, I always pick it back up and finish it.

E-Reader or print? and why?

Both. Sometimes I find a book and I really just need to have the printed version in my hands. I have an eReader because when I travel it’s much easier to download a bunch of books and dive into the stories.

One book at a time or multiples?

Multiple. More fun that way. I get to jump among worlds. How fun.

Dog-ear or bookmark? (don't worry—Librarian Judith won't hold it against you—much)

Both. Depends on if I have something to use as a bookmark.

Favorite book you've read this year?

The Book Thief.

When do you do most of your reading?

On a plane, on the couch. I don’t typically read before going to bed unless I’m really enthralled in a book. Otherwise, I’ll just fall asleep (not due to anything wrong with the story. Only because I’m pretty exhausted.)

Favorite place to read?

On my front porch with a steaming cup of coffee.

Favorite genre?BR>
Cross genre – lots of magical realism as of late.

Do you loan your books?

I give my books away. The best gift you can give someone is a great story.

READ THE BLURB

Lauren has a dead end job as a waitress at the Oaklyn Diner. She becomes ecstatic when the diner is chosen to be the focal point of an upcoming movie, *Jersey Diner,* starring Jonathan Pearce. When filming ends she moves to California to start a new life with him. Lauren quickly discovers that all that she thought was real and true are in question.

READ AN EXCERPT

“Here’s a copy of the script, read through it and then go over the scenes with the girl.”

“I can try. I never acted so I don’t know how much of a help I’ll be.”

He plopped it into my arms. The script weighed more than a stacked tray.

“This isn’t about acting. It’s about realism. That’s why we need your help. You’re a real waitress and this one just doesn’t get it.” He smirked. “If I could get ten cents for every time one of these actresses thought they could feel their way through a part. I’d be a zillionaire. Then give me a dime for every time they were wrong. Oh. I’d be …” He stopped. “Start reading.”

I had opened the cover and started flipping through the pages.

“Good. I knew you’d be the right person for the job. We’ll pay you for your time. You can be our ‘Resident Expert on Serving.’ Ya know, like a martial arts expert.”

“Fun.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Lisa is a former correspondent for the Philadelphia Theatre Review and Features Editor for the Picolata Review, her short stories have appeared in magazines and journals such as StraightJackets Magazine and HESA Inprint. In 2007 Kastner was featured in the Fresh Lines @ Fresh Nine, a public reading hosted by Gross McCleaf Art Gallery.

She founded Running Wild Writers and is the former president of Pennwriters, Inc. (www.pennwriters.com). She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Fairfield University, her MBA from Pennsylvania State and her BS from Drexel University (She’s definitely full of it). Her novel THE KEEPER OF LOST THINGS was shortlisted in the fiction category of the William Faulkner Words and Wisdom Award and her memoir BREATHE was a semi-finalist in the nonfiction category of the same award.

Lisa presented at a TEDx in Seattle on The Power of Connecting. And presented at the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) on the “You Sent Us What?” panel.

Born and raised in Camden, New Jersey The Redness migrated to Philadelphia in her twenties and eventually transported to Los Angeles, California with her partner-in-crime and ever-talented husband. They nurture two felonious felines who anxiously encourage and engage in little sparks of anarchy.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fieryredone
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lisadkastner
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/60shadesofred
Website: http://lisadianekastner.com

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