A Perfect 10 with Maline Carroll

This week, I have the pleasure of featuring Author Maline Carroll for this edition of A Perfect 10.

Please enjoy this week’s installment of A Perfect 10

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Energizes me

Do you ever write under a pseudonym? If not have you considered it? Why or why not?

Yes, I write under a pseudonym because I feel it is important to protect myself. I am also able to straddle two different worlds.

Does a big ego help or hurt writers? Why or why not?

I think it depends on what the ego is all about. I feel good when people tell me my writing is good or has impacted them. That encourages me to continue to write.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Buying book written by adoptees

What does writing success look like to you? Have you achieved it?

Writing success looks like others writing about your writing. Yes, I have achieved it.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? What sources do you use?

Recently I’ve been writing only on things I am familiar with. My first kids book required some research about Haiti’s earthquake but most of what I wrote about included my lived experience.

How do you select the names of your characters? Have you ever regretted choosing a particular name? Why?

I try to make the name of the character fit the country, language and culture. Most of the stuff I have written focuses on the lived experiences of others, so realistic fiction. I choose character names based on their personalities.

What is the hardest type of scene to write?

A rape scene

If you could have dinner with four people, living or dead, who would they be and what would you want to ask them?