Guest Post: Interviews by Judee Fong

I love doing interviews. When I’m assigned a person, I do my usual Google search and do as much background as I can, figure out a list of questions and off I go. Some interviews are fabulous. I hardly have to look at my list of questions because the interviewee has so much to say and has given lots of anecdotes. These are my favourite interviews because the article practically writes itself. Then, there’s the flip-side. Answering questions is like picking blackberries from a very dense, prickly bush—it’s done slowly and carefully. All this caution came from an abstract artist, not at all talkative and whose artistic endeavours are colourful, murky and filled with symbolism.

The artist waits for my comments on his art. Ignoring my lunch-time hunger pangs, I look at one of his paintings, which looks like a dark puddle of something brown. I stare at it again. “Wow,’ I say to him. “What do you call that?” He answers succinctly, “Mud.” I reply, “That’s very powerful.” And, praying that a bolt of lightning doesn’t strike me dead—blame my hunger pangs, I add, “It  looks like silky, sexy chocolate—dark, smooth and flowing.” Mesmerized, he stares at the canvas and slowly smiles. “My wife had given me some chocolates but it melted in the heat. I had “brain-block” so I just painted what I saw. Maybe I should change the title back to “Chocolate.” Relaxed, he began to talk about a few other abstracts in his studio—all with some little tidbit behind each canvas. For an interview that started slowly, it was filled with anecdotes and a fascinating insight of the artist, himself.

My interviews have been conducted in many places. Artists, writers and potters often have studios attached to their homes. I have “Offices”—actually coffee bars--scattered strategically about the city. I still use a real microphone attached to a book-size recorder that runs on 4-C batteries and regular recording tapes. My old-fashion equipment often elicits fond smiles and amusement. For some strange reason, people feel more relaxed seeing the actual microphone on the table rather than something the size of a matchbox with a hidden microphone inside. I’ve carried my recorder in my backpack and held the microphone while I trudged behind the Head Groundskeeper at Royal Road’s Hatley Gardens. I’ve carried out interviews on a Search and Rescue vessel; over a Sidney fish-n-chips lunch at “Fish at Fifth;” at a Symphony rehearsal, at the local CHEK TV station, at a horse farm and my all-time favourite, at Victoria’s famous Rogers Chocolates factory.

I love doing interviews because we are an incredible human race made up of so many entertaining and fascinating people who all have stories to tell. The challenge is to condense my 4000 word interviews into 800-1000 words!

Judee Fong’s Bio:

I am one of the freelance writers for Senior Living Magazine, aimed for 50+ active people and

 younger. I enjoy meeting new faces and subjects who have taught me a lot about art, music 

and writing. I have been assigned topics I knew nothing about and came away learning 

something new. I am a member of “Crime Writers of Canada” as I enjoy reading well-crafted 

mysteries/thrillers/adventures/historicals and try to write what I like to read. I am in the process of writing a historical YA mystery as well as several short stories.  In between writing my stories,

 I blog on http://chocofigbee.com 

Within a Curse by Terrill Welch

Terrill Welch and I are members of the Mayne Island writer's group. She was one of the first people to read The Sweater Curse. Her skilled eye and thoughtful words helped me shape my thriller. I am grateful for her constant support.

Note: The photo and photography featured in this post were created by Terrill Welch.




Terrill writes: Leanne Dyck's soon-to-be-published thriller The Sweater Curse twists and turns as it knits a fine yarn for an artist's creativity. Her new work has me asking a few questions. What is an artist's community? How do we know if we are part of one? What is a curse? What might be a blessing within a curse? Where do we find our choice, our point of action be it a curse or a blessing?


I was blessed and cursed with a large amount of creative energy. This has influenced my life in all its aspects but particularly as an artist and photographer. Both these creative endeavours are often solitary. Yet, inspiration comes from community and from discussion with peers. This is what I call my artists community. Sometimes it has been a physical community. These days it is most often an online virtual community of facebook, twitter and blogging colleagues. These are the neighborhoods where my work is first introduced to the public. These are places where my work is supported, gently critiqued and lovely admired.


I know I am part of an artists community because other creative beings come by, visit and engage in meaningful conversations about creativity. I know I am part of an artists community when I am shown the work of other artists and asked for my thoughts. These are rich places for me. Places I grow and thrive.


To be cursed with an artists vision is to know that much remain unresolved, unfinished and in need of expression. The desire to express, to create is a must. The blessings come when we can create in a manner that fulfills that desire. A painting where I can capture the inner spirit of the scene or a photographer where I find something new in the ordinary. These are blessings because for a short while I am at peace. At least unitl the next moment presents itself for expression.


Too often a blessing or a curse feels like something we have no control over, something that happens to us rather than because of us. The Sweater Curse takes this situation to the very edge, where we lose our sense of personal power and ability to decide our behaviour. I won't tell you anymore. A thriller is too easy to spoil in the telling. As an artist I must create and express my feelings, ideas and thoughts--to not would be to be only half living. The action and choice on how I create is my point of personal power and insight. May you create with the abundance of your full creative power and be blessed with an artist community of your own.


Leanne, thank you for inviting me into your creative community. I am honoured. May your readers be inspired to buy your soon-to-be published thriller The Sweater Curse.