… Ana K. Wrenn

1. What’s the time of the day when you feel most like yourself?

I am definitely a morning person (4-7AM), the time when I feel the most grounded. After making the bed, I step outside on the patio to scatter seed for the songbirds (and, of course, the squirrels and chipmunks). There’s something extraordinary about serving up breakfast for the neighborhood critters, then before I even go back inside, the cardinals, finches, chickadees, tit mouses, and furry babies of all sorts come running (and flying) to gobble up the goodies.

2. What’s your coffee order?

Usually, I go with a hot, black, bitter, and unsweetened cuppa, but occasionally, I go wild and have a bit of coffee with my sugar and creamer.

3. How would you describe yourself in three words?

Curious, humorous, feisty.

4. What do you think of possums?

I love possums. In fact, over the years I’ve rescued a few babies from my recycling bin. They are smart, can be friendly, rarely get rabies, and bluff predators by hissing and acting fierce (which gives them a place in my heart). They’re wild animals, so I won’t adopt any of those possum babies I rescue, but I have a deep affinity for them and think they’re underappreciated.

5. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“Keep something in the mail.” Dad gave me that advice, and I follow it to this day.

He was a writer and journal editor during the days where submissions were sent via snail mail, and he understood how long the process of reviewing, revising, and publishing could be. He passed that along to me: look ahead and create something. Publishing can be a tough biz and keeping “something in the mail” can help writers stay engaged and hopeful.

6. What makes you smile?

Papa house finch feeding his demanding fledglings. Raindrops dripping off the canopy overhead while I’m standing in a forest. Dumb jokes and goofball people who find meaning in life but don’t take themselves too seriously.

7. Do you believe in soulmates?

Yes, but I see relationships like a big, beautiful, complex jigsaw puzzle. Each person’s soul has all sorts of sockets and knobs, and an assortment of beloveds (romantic, sexual, platonic) can interlock with it.

8. What author would you follow till the ends of every literary genre they chose to write in?

Lee Winter

9. What makes you cry?

There’s the “good cry” that comes with a bittersweet song, poem, and/or story, as well as saying goodbye to a loved one; the love remains, though now stretched across a distance. That’s a beautiful, piercing experience that brings tears to my eyes.

Then, there’s the weeping that comes from deep-down, soul-wrenching pain. I cry over loss, of course, like the end of a love affair, demise of a friendship, death of a beloved. And the suffering of an animal brings on body-shaking sobs.

10. What’s your best feature?

My heart. It’s probably too “big,” and it swells over the slightest bit of beauty and twists at the tiniest bit of sorrow.

11. If you were a book, which book would you be and why?

I love this question, and I’m really struggling with it, but I must go with Shattered by Lee Winter.

Sometimes, I can be a powerful woman who loses faith in humanity (Nyah) and flees to nature. Other times, I’m driven to search out that icy woman who’s been traumatized and has barricaded herself from the world (Lena). Another reason I picked Shattered is because it captures how I wrestle with ontological debates about the nature of humans (i.e., nature vs. nurture, a bit of both). Are we ultimately redeemable? Are we programmed to always be grasping for power and control, and therefore, forever be the most destructive species on Earth?

But where Shattered really speaks to me is that no matter what, we must keep trying to do good for one another and our home, Earth. 

12. Favorite saying?

This is going to sound darker than it is. My favorite quote has been attributed to Lord Byron (among others), “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

I use that quote to keep me in check.

Too often, I’ve been well intentioned and tried to “fix” other people’s problems—even when they haven’t asked for help. Now, I remind myself that while I might mean well, my behaviors can have harmful consequences. Again, that keeps me in check.

13. In a crowded room, what makes you notice a woman?

Her energy. She doesn’t have to be the smartest, loudest, or the funniest, and she sure as hell doesn’t have to be the most attractive. But she’s radiant, and a silent, mesmerizing song rolls off her, demanding to be heard.

14. What’s your one big regret?

I wish I would’ve learned sooner to take a risk for myself and my dreams. I often took the “safe route” instead of taking chances.

But I also don’t really regret much of anything in my life. Instead of going to NYC to be an actress, for example, I pursued my master’s degree. And rather than becoming a full-time author in my early thirties, I earned my PhD. Because of my decisions, I was able to retire from academia in my early fifties and fund my writing dreams for this next chapter in my life.

15. What would be the title of your autobiography?

Stories of Cat-tastrophes: Why Bad Cats and Bad Times Have Ended Up Being So Damn Good for Me

16. Three women you’d have over for dinner and what would you serve?

First, I’m an awful cook, so there would be take-out/delivery. I’m thinking a variety of foods that guests can snack on, including sushi, raw veggies, paneer butter masala, naan, cheese and crackers, and wine (beer and mock/cocktails too).

Second, I’m really torn about my guest list, so I’m going to cheat a bit.

I’d invite Lee Winter because she’s brilliant and witty, but she would decline the invitation because she’s so damn busy, so I’d invite Mom for the same reasons.

I’d also invite Laura Green (The Sapphic Book Review) because she and I laugh hard at inane things. Plus, our behaviors and humor are “inappropriate” in the best possible (and consensual) ways. Also, I didn’t get to talk enough with you at Golden Crown Literary Society, Milena, and you have great energy and wear the most fabulous red heels; you’d get an invitation, as would Virginia Black, who is smart, interesting, funny, and a great storyteller (and I’m hoping that Virginia would bring some strong whiskey. I take mine neat, please). 

But I’d also sneak out an invitation to the International Waffle Lovers—they know who they are, and I want them to know how much I appreciate them.

17. What’s the one thing you’d want the 18 year-old you to know?

Put more energy into yourself, your vision, your health rather than running around trying to “fix” people who don’t want fixing.

18. What’s in your fridge right now?

I’m really excited about the fresh Thai basil that some dear friends gave me. They grew it in their garden, making me wish I were a good cook. I can’t wait to add it to a curry dish.

19. If you could choose one song to be played every time you enter a room, what song would that be and why?

Give Me One Reason (Tracy Chapman).

Females tend to be socialized to believe that they must be likeable, that when we walk into a room, we must be charming, self-effacing, and attentive to others’ needs. What I wish I would’ve learned sooner is that I too need to be given a convincing reason to stay someplace, stay with someone (like a community, romance, friendship, social group, etc).

Relationships aren’t just about me being likeable and welcoming; they’re about honest, authentic, respectful reciprocation.

“Give me one reason to stay here and I’ll turn right back around.” ~Tracy Chapman

20. What’s the one book you wish you could read again for the first time?

Kindred by Octavia Butler. It was transformative.

Ana’s amazing debut Strange Attractors - with one of the most amazing Ice Queens in sapphic literature - it is absolutely amazing - is available here: https://mybook.to/AnaKWrenn