IN THE SPOTLIGHT: AN INTERVIEW WITH VANESSA KELLY

I’m delighted to welcome award winning author VANESSA KELLY to Rakes and Rascals today for an exclusive interview.

Hi Carol! Thanks so much for having me on. It’s a real pleasure to be here.

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R&R:
Could you tell us where you were born and what it was like growing up there?

Vanessa:
I grew up in a small town in South Jersey, about 5 miles from Philadelphia. It’s an old Colonial town, with a historic and very old (by US standards) downtown and gorgeous tree-lined streets. It was, in many ways, a really wonderful place to grow up. My brother and I used to walk or ride our bikes everywhere, including to the local library, and there were a lot of woods and nearby fields to play in. Although small towns can be irritating in certain respects (everyone pretty much knows your business), the good outweighed the bad. It was peaceful and safe, and growing up in such a beautiful, historic environment was really a privilege.

R&R:
How would you describe yourself – temperamental or easy-going?

Vanessa:
Pretty easy-going with occasional spurts of neurotic behaviour. Just ask my husband. Like many writers, I suffer from the occasional bout of massive insecurity.

R&R:
When it comes to food do you like sweet or savoury or both?

Vanessa:
Both. I’m Italian, so I definitely do savoury, but cake is also (IMHO) the most important of food groups. Then there’s wine, but that’s a topic for another day.

R&R:
What is your most treasured possession?

Vanessa:
It’s an aggregate: my books. From long ago, perhaps I would say it’s my mother’s wedding dress, which was redesigned when I got married. Here’s what it looked like on her wedding day. The dress was designed and sewn by her father, who was a tailor, and it’s the most gorgeous slipper satin you’ve ever seen.

 

R&R:
If you were able to afford a second home anywhere in the world where would you choose and why?

Vanessa:
England, probably in the Cotswolds or the somewhere along the coast of Cornwall. I’ve always loved British history and I studied English literature in grad school. I love the countryside, the history, the climate, and I just feel really at home there. I will say, however, that Italy would come in as a close second.

R&R:
Finally, what has been your most embarrassing moment?

Vanessa:
Oh, man, I’ve had hundreds over the years, some big and some small. I’ll stick with a small one: my graduate thesis supervisor took me to tea at a very high-toned gathering at a museum, where she introduced me to some very influential people. Unbeknownst to me, I had a big hunk of food stuck between my front teeth the ENTIRE TIME. My supervisor never gave me a word of warning, which was super annoying of her.

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Thank you for taking time out to be here today, Vanessa and sharing these interesting facts about yourself.

You’re most welcome. It’s been fun!!

If you would like to find out more about Vanessa and her books, here are the links:

Website
Goodreads
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