Debra M. Fox Q & A with Eastern Iowa Review
Chila: I enjoyed "Idea," a 5-paragraph essay on what Idea means to you. How did you come up with the "idea" for this?
Debra: I am interested in the concept of synesthesia, where the stimulation of one sense leads to the involuntary stimulation of another. I often assign colors to concepts, and I thought it would be intriguing to assign other senses to them as well, and see where that would take me.
Chila: You're an attorney as well as an author. Do you find these two professions complement each other, and if so, how?
Debra: I feel that writing complements the work I do as a lawyer. It allows me to think with another part of my brain, and experience the world in a more sensory way. In that respect it gives me a break from thinking like a lawyer, and brings balance to my life. On the other hand, I’m not so sure the law informs my writing. For example, I can’t think of an instance where any substance from the legal world has found its way into one of my stories. I will say that after a day of legal thinking, I am ready to switch gears and write, and in that regard the law pushes me in other more creative directions.
Chila: Do you have a book project in the works or at least in the hope-stage? If so, can you tell us about it?
Debra: For several years I have been working on a linked story collection that I hope one day might be published as a book. It revolves around a severely disabled boy and looks at his life from various perspectives as he grows up.
Chila: What else would you like to tell us about yourself or your writing?
Debra: I love writing haiku. One of my short stories attempts to weave the lives of some Japanese haiku masters and their poetry into a present day story. It has been very challenging to write, but will be worth it when it is finished.
Chila: I enjoyed "Idea," a 5-paragraph essay on what Idea means to you. How did you come up with the "idea" for this?
Debra: I am interested in the concept of synesthesia, where the stimulation of one sense leads to the involuntary stimulation of another. I often assign colors to concepts, and I thought it would be intriguing to assign other senses to them as well, and see where that would take me.
Chila: You're an attorney as well as an author. Do you find these two professions complement each other, and if so, how?
Debra: I feel that writing complements the work I do as a lawyer. It allows me to think with another part of my brain, and experience the world in a more sensory way. In that respect it gives me a break from thinking like a lawyer, and brings balance to my life. On the other hand, I’m not so sure the law informs my writing. For example, I can’t think of an instance where any substance from the legal world has found its way into one of my stories. I will say that after a day of legal thinking, I am ready to switch gears and write, and in that regard the law pushes me in other more creative directions.
Chila: Do you have a book project in the works or at least in the hope-stage? If so, can you tell us about it?
Debra: For several years I have been working on a linked story collection that I hope one day might be published as a book. It revolves around a severely disabled boy and looks at his life from various perspectives as he grows up.
Chila: What else would you like to tell us about yourself or your writing?
Debra: I love writing haiku. One of my short stories attempts to weave the lives of some Japanese haiku masters and their poetry into a present day story. It has been very challenging to write, but will be worth it when it is finished.
Thanks to Debra for these thoughts. Best to her in her life and writing! - Chila
Debra M. Fox’s poems have been published in haiku journals and anthologies. In addition, some of her short stories and essays have been published in literary magazines. She is a lawyer and the director of an adoption agency. In her spare time she is a member of an amateur dance troupe. She lives on the outskirts of Philadelphia with her husband, younger son who is profoundly disabled and a companion dog who aspired to be a service dog, but failed.
Debra M. Fox’s poems have been published in haiku journals and anthologies. In addition, some of her short stories and essays have been published in literary magazines. She is a lawyer and the director of an adoption agency. In her spare time she is a member of an amateur dance troupe. She lives on the outskirts of Philadelphia with her husband, younger son who is profoundly disabled and a companion dog who aspired to be a service dog, but failed.