Brief Interviews with Women Writers of the Fantastic #4: Lydia Millet

After reading Jeff VanderMeer’s post praising the work of women in fantastic literature, I thought that it might be nice to interview as many of these significant authors as possible for their take on writing, their own work and sexism in their chosen field. The following is part one of an ongoing series. Please note that each author received the same set of questions.

Interview with Lydia Millet

Would you mind introducing yourself?
Hello. My name is Lydia Millet.

When did you first consider yourself a serious writer?

I took myself all too seriously from a tender age.

How would you describe your writing style?

I don’t like to, so I leave it up to reviewers.

Who are your strongest influences?

In the past, my mother, my father, and several friends. These days, dogs, the idea of sea turtles, small mammals called round-tailed ground squirrels that live in my yard, and a husband.

What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Pleasure.

What is your biggest weakness?

Impatience.

What is your favorite piece out of everything that you’ve written?

The book closest to my heart is probably still one published in 2002 called My Happy Life. I typically
also have a weakness for the most recent, at the moment How the Dead Dream.

As a woman, have you ever experienced sexism, bias or exclusion in your chosen field?

Most likely.

Do you think that there are some common barriers that all writers who are women face?

I doubt it. Barriers are usually tailored to the paths they bar.

Are there any common strengths that women bring to the craft of fiction?

Only the fact that we’re not men.

Over all, do you think that the writing and publishing communities are healthier, worse, or about the same for women writers?

Sorry, I don’t understand the question. Worse than
or the same as what?

What are your long-term career goals?
To remain in print.

What are you working on now?

A novel about taxidermy and free love.

Where can we go to learn more about you?

The library, or www.lydiamillet.net.

Where can we read your work?

My books are best bought from Powell’s. How’s that for product placement?