Interview with Rebecca Stead...Part 2!

Did you love our interview with Rebecca Stead in the August/September issue of Kiki? Then you're in luck—here's part two!

Rebecca is an interesting author for a lot of reasons beyond her great books. She worked as a public defender—even working a murder trial! Here is what she has to say about changing careers and moving into something as different as being a writer.

Kiki Magazine: You pursued a career as a Lawyer, how did that turn back into writing?
Rebecca Stead: I was working as a Public Defender, and taking a night class where we were writing short stories. I had always been writing on the side, but I wasn't writing every day. It was more like I would want to do it, put it off until it eventually welled up and I would write. Once I had kids, I decided to take a break from being a Public Defender and was looking around for smaller jobs, and I was writing while looking for interviews. Then I was offered a really good job. I decided then that I wanted to become a writer for real. I made a commitment to writing by turning down that job.

KM: What prompted you to go to law school?
RS: I always had a big stake in being modest and practical. My parents always supported my writing, and encouraged pursuing that as a career, but I said "But, where's the money going to come from?" So, I chose to go to Law school.

KM: But you've always been a scribbler?
RS: Yes, but I never wrote every day. Reading is actually what led me to writing. Some people respond to singing by wanting to sing, and I appreciate that person's ability, but I don't want to sing. Same with dance, painting, etc. I respond to reading by wanting to write. Everyone has different responses, so you must pay attention to what you respond to…it might be a clue to what you want to do.

KM: How is a career in writing different from being a Public Defender?
RS: It's harder in some ways. It is very long term, and if you don't finish something, there isn't anyone to know you didn't finish, unlike other jobs where you have someone waiting for you to finish something. Sometimes I miss that "okay, I'm done" feeling, and knowing you can go home after that. I also miss having a work community, though now that I have been writing longer, I've developed a community of writers. That has helped me develop a work/reward structure to my writing. I have guilt about not writing enough, not doing my job, but now, I can schedule a lunch with someone as a reward for writing all morning.