Based on Author Revealed at Simon & Schuster (authors.simonandschuster.com/)
I discovered the source by looking up Jonah Winter, whose poem was credited as a base for another poet in the May 2013 issue of Poetry Magazine. Winter’s responses were zany, I would say, and I wondered how I would respond to similarly phrased profile categories.
Birthdate: 2 May 1940.
Occupations: paperboy, snow shoveling, baby-sitter, student library aide, school librarian, serials librarian, reference librarian, library science instructor, head public librarian, interlibrary loan coordinator, information broker, state library consultant and grant administrator = adult educator and lifetime learner.
Favorite job: planning for Governor’s pre-White House Conference on Library and Information Services.
Education: Granite Falls (MN) Public Schools, Saint Olaf College, University of Wisconsin (M.A.L.S.), University of Iowa (American intellectual history), Western Michigan University (library specialist courses).
Learning: lifetime reader of literature, history, philosophy, theory, social issues, and cultural studies.
Favorites: Shakespeare (poetry), J.S. Bach (music), Vermeer (painting), Slaves of New York (movie), Masterpiece Classic (television).
Life in Brief: As I never know enough, ignorance humbles me.
My prompt: How far we have not come.
Perfect happiness: Every fresh morning comes close.
Greatest fear: Lack of completion.
Choice of place: Right here.
Historical identification: Montaigne.
Most admired living person: Nelson Mandela.
Most overused word: is
Regret: procrastination
Talent desired: Able to sing from the diaphragm.
Greatest achievement: Helping to bring freedom to marry to Minnesota.
Greatest flaw: Naïveté.
Best quality: Empathy.
Who would you rather be: No one else.
Most noticeable trait: Seriousness.
Favorite fictional hero: Mike the Computer (Adam Selene) in The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress.
Favorite fiction villain: I prefer heroes.
What would you say to a chosen historical character. The prophet Deborah: “How did you gain a leadership position in a man’s world?”
Pet peeve: Noise.
Favorite other occupation: Landscaping.
Fantasy profession? Orchestra conducting.
Three personal qualities most important: Curiosity, persistence, judgment.
One thing you would eat for the rest of your days: I do like baked potatoes.
Five favorite songs: Define songs.
Favorite authors: Ursula K. Le Guin, Robert A. Heinlein, J. M. Coetzee, Robert Penn Warren, Penelope Lively.
A book you love to reread: Bible (NRSV).
Five favorite books: The Dispossessed, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, The Lord of the Rings, All the King’s Men, The Photograph.
Advice for new writers: Be critical, but confident.
Most frequent reader’s comment: “This is a lot of work.”
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Copyright © 2013 by Roger Sween.
Posted by Roger 