Camille Pagán
Author Interview - Camille Pagán
Author I draw inspiration from: Laurie Colwin, who wrote a handful of wonderful novels about love and life (as well as some terrific food-themed essay collections as well). My favorite Colwin novel is Family Happiness, which I must have read five times already. It is an easy-to-read yet deeply profound meditation on the demands of being a wife and mother with dreams of her own.
Favorite place to read a book: In bed! There’s no comfier spot in my home, and it doesn’t keep me awake at all to read before bed.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: Instead of a character, I’m going to go with poet Sharon Olds, who wrote a collection called Stags Leap that makes me laugh and cry every time I read it.
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: I’ve never not wanted to be an author—from the minute I figured out someone wrote the books I was reading, I wanted to join them. It’s my lifelong dream, and there’s not a day that passes when I don’t think about how lucky I am.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: I love a good paperback, but nothing beats the convenience of being able to have a whole selection of novels on a single device, especially when you’re traveling. If I like an e-book, I often buy the hard copy so I can have it on my shelves.
The last book I read: Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney. I was late to the party on this one, but it was well worth the wait; what a phenomenal novel.
Pen & paper or computer: Both. I like to start with a notebook and pen when I’m brainstorming or sketching out a story, then transition to my computer (I type much faster than I write).
If I wasn’t an author, I’d be a: … I’m not sure, but something in the health field. In addition to being a novelist, I’m also a longtime health journalist and editor, and I almost went to graduate school for public health (I had a last minute change of heart and realized I’d rather focus on writing fiction).
Favorite decade in fashion history: Right now! Granted, the 90s were a lot of fun, but I love the sheer number of options available now.
Place I’d most like to travel: I travel frequently—I was just in Costa Rica, in fact, which was lovely—and my family and I spend part of the year in Puerto Rico. And yet there are so many places that I still need to see! I’d like to visit Morocco sometime soon, and Scotland as well.
My signature drink: I don’t know if I have a signature drink, but I would never say no to a glass of champagne.
Favorite artist: Not sure. :)
Number one on my bucket list: Visit Hawaii with my kids.
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Instagram: @camille_pagan
Facebook: facebook.com/CamillePaganBooks