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I get questions. Lots of questions. I’m devoting an entire post to the most frequently asked questions. Ready? Here goes.
Q: When are you getting a llama?
A: Never. Unless I get one. Llamas are expensive. If you have a free llama, let me know.
Q: What size round cake pans are you talking about in your recipes?
A: Every time someone asks me this, I have to search until I find a measuring tape. It is so hard to find a measuring tape around here. Have pity.
Q: Why didn’t you answer my email?
A: I’m sorry. I do try to answer every email. I’m almost to the point where I will have to let go and let God. Sometimes, I’m overwhelmed and just don’t have time. Other times, I mean to and just forget because something happens and I’m pulled away from the computer because there’s a pig in the goat yard or something. It’s hard to be me. (Email me again.)
Q: Why didn’t you answer my Facebook message?
A: I have a lot of trouble with Facebook. I don’t have great internet here. (I live in the country.) I’m 9,582 times more likely to write you back if you email me.
Q: Can I come visit you and bring my friends?
A: Last year, we had a party on the farm in the fall. We’re hoping to have another party this fall. You’ll all be invited.
Q: Is Clover pregnant?
A: Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t think so, but if she doesn’t surprise me with a baby in six weeks, we’ll know she’s NOT.
Q: How did you get your farm? Did you win the lottery or get a big inheritance?
A: Yes, that’s why I collect free stuff and build pens out of pallets. Real answer: No. I got my farm the old-fashioned way—by borrowing money from the bank.
Q: Can I come live with you?
A: Did you win the lottery and will you share? Do you do chores?
Q: How do you have time to do all of the things that you do?
A: I work hard. I don’t sit around unless I’m working at the computer. I love what I do and I like to be busy.
Q: How can you cook the way you do and not be overweight?
A: I don’t eat entire pies or whole cakes by myself. I have three children and I also give away some of the things I bake because I love to bake and sometimes bake way too much. However, the recipes I feature on my blog are what we eat here. We just don’t consume them in one sitting in their entirety. And we work hard. I believe in real food—and real work.
Q: When are you going to eat Mean Rooster?
A: Probably never. I like him. He’s a worthy adversary and an interesting character. He intrigues me. I think I’m going to teach him to knit, try to bring out his softer side. (P.S. I’ve never eaten ANY of my chickens.)
Q: Why don’t you write children’s books?
A: This is the most difficult question that I’m asked with great frequency as the answer is complicated. I’ve been involved in the publishing industry almost half of my life. I could set my mind to it, research children’s book publishing, and have a pretty good chance of selling children’s books. I know how to write and sell books. But I also know how much time that would consume and how little money I could hope to gain for my effort. Writing books is not as lucrative as most people think. So far, I don’t think the time/effort would pay off. When I think it will, I’ll do it. Until then, I benefit more by writing them on my blog and giving them away for free.
Q: Do you have a recipe for X, Y, or Z?
A: I’ll try. I get a lot of recipe requests. Sometimes it takes me a long time, but eventually I fulfill as many requests as I can. Don’t forget to check the Community Cookbook—there are a lot of great recipes there!
Q: Do you have a one-legged chicken?
A: No! No, I don’t! I don’t know why people think I have a one-legged chicken. All of my chickens have two legs.
Got more questions? Post your questions in the comments today and I’ll answer them. (Which is so much more effective than emailing me, I promise!)
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on June 22, 2009
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Have you always wanted to be a writer? Have you written anything other than romance fiction? How did you get started?
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Why would someone think you have a chicken(s) with just one leg?
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I’m sure I’ll be back with a question of my own.
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Love your work and you are right…..country life is hard work. When people tell me,”When I retire I’m going to move to the country and farm,” I always role my eyes and tell them farming will be harder than the job they have now!
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_red_paperclip
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Thank you!
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Here are a few posts I’ve done about my life as a romance writer:
http://chickensintheroad.com/blog/2009/03/12/from-the-kitchen-sink-to-here/
http://chickensintheroad.com/blog/2009/02/03/fun-for-me-and-you/
http://chickensintheroad.com/blog/2008/04/17/meanwhile-back-at-the-spanish-castillo/
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You’re right–farming is not exactly relaxing retirement! But it’s a good kind of tired and a good kind of work. I’d rather do this than anything else in the world.
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Well, now that you are in the Q&A mode: Did your cousin tear the wash house down?
Don’t let him do it!
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*Today the wash house (well may tomorrow)
*Next: the old farmhouse!
Put you foot down now and say NO! You could make a very interesting bed and breakfast from the old farmhouse!
Oh please don’t let him tear it down!! 
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Do you ever get writers block? If so. What do you do to get over it?
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We do need an update on Spraddle (unless the news is not so good). Thanks again.
PS: Are you serious about that party in the fall?
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How are Jack and Pocahontas getting along?
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Please work on the cookbook, I’ll be the first to buy it, I promise. So far, all your recipes turned out to be wonderful! Thank you for a great read and super pictures!
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I have sad news about Spraddle. She was a plucky little thing, bless her heart, but she didn’t make it. Even as her legs seemed to be straightening out and growing stronger, she remained very small and one day I found her facefirst in the chick waterer. She had drowned. How she could drown in a waterer designed specifically for baby chicks, I don’t know. It was terrible!
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Is 52 off the market? I think my dear husband needs a good scare.
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Re 52, he better be off the market! If you see him on the market, smack him.
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I can’t help but wonder how many people will show up for your party in the fall – you may end up overwhelmed with guests! How many showed up last year? Did you write about it in your blog? If so, I missed it. I just started reading it about 6 or 7 months ago after I read one of your articles in the Charleston Daily Mail.
You are a great writer and photographer, and also very funny. 52 is a lucky man, and your kids are lucky to have you as their mom! Keep up the good work, you make my day!
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Sherri
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http://chickensintheroad.com/blog/2008/09/29/its-a-petting-zoo-a-food-festival-a-cheesemaking-demonstration-a-chickens-in-the-road-party/
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