Sit Down with Alexandra Bogdanovic
Today I am sitting down with Alexandra Bogdanovic, author of Truth Be Told.
Welcome, Alexandra! Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me!
Me: What books/authors have influenced your writing?
Alexandra: This is a good question – one I generally have a hard time answering.
The people who influenced my writing most aren’t actually authors. They’re the sports writers and editors who mentored me when I began writing for a daily newspaper in high school. I started by writing small blurbs with the game results, who scored, etc. During what was essentially a four-year apprenticeship, I learned to write “game stories” and feature stories.
Without that small, but dedicated group of people who helped nurture my talent all of those years ago, I never would have become an award-winning journalist and I wouldn’t have the ability or the courage to share my story.
Me: How did you come up with the title(s)?
Alexandra: I was listening to the radio one day and a song came on that included the lyrics, “truth be told.” It just resonated with me.
I found it especially appropriate because my book is a brutally honest account of how I met, fell in love with and married the man of my dreams only to find out that he self-identified as and planned on having gender reassignment surgery to become a woman. I also share what happened after I discovered this shocking secret.
Me: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Alexandra: “Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey” is a memoir, so it is based entirely on events in my own life.
I felt compelled to tell my story because it provides a different perspective on an oft-told tale. While many members of the LGBT community share their stories in their own books or through the mainstream media, we seldom hear how their experiences affect their families and friends. I wanted to give those people a voice and to let them know their stories are important, too.
Me: What books have most influenced your life most?
Alexandra: That’s another good, but tough question. I discovered my own “voice” as a young writer, and while it has grown a bit over the years, I’ve been determined not to be swayed by anyone else’s style. So in that sense, as a writer, I can’t honestly say I’ve been influenced by any books. I can’t say, “I read this book and decided to become a writer,” or “I read this book and decided to change my writing style.”
Now, as a voracious reader, I’d say the books that influenced my life most are those I read as a child. They were the classics – The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, Charlotte’s Web, Anne of Green Gables… There are almost too many to mention!
Me: What book are you reading now?
Alexandra: I’m reading Witch Wraith: The Dark Legacy of Shannara, by Terry Brooks. I love science fiction and fantasy, and Terry Brooks is one of my favorite authors.
Me: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Alexandra: I’m sad to say, no. But that’s not because there aren’t any great new authors out there. It’s because I’ve been so wrapped up in my own work, I haven’t had a chance to pay attention to anything else.
Me: What are your current projects?
Alexandra: I am getting ready to start the research for my second book, which will be based on my father’s life as a staunch anti-Communist and political refugee in post-World War II Europe.
Me: Do you see writing as a career?
Alexandra: Yes. I plan on writing at least two more books. And since I’ll need a day job (unless I hit the lottery or land a really sweet publishing deal) I also plan on transitioning into a new career where I can capitalize upon my writing skills. I’ve already devoted more than 20 years to a career in community journalism. Now I’m ready to try something else.
Me: If you could change anything in your book, would you?
Alexandra: No. It’s not perfect – I don’t think there’s any such thing as the perfect book – but I’m proud of the final product. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Me: How did you get started with the writing venture?
Alexandra: I was born to write.
As I said earlier, I started writing for a daily newspaper when I was in high school. I essentially did a four-year apprenticeship while I was in high school and a one-year college internship at the same paper. I officially began my journalism career soon after graduating from college in 1991 and the rest is history.
Me: Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
Alexandra: It is mentally grueling. The quest to find just the right word to convey an idea in just the right way… It never ends, especially if you’re a perfectionist!
Me: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Alexandra: If this is something you really, really want to do, go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it or it won’t amount to anything. But be realistic. Very few people become rich or famous doing this. If you’re just doing it for the money, you’re doing it for the wrong reason.
Me: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Alexandra: Yes. Thank you for your interest in my work. If you take nothing else away from this book, please remember that no matter what you see or read in the mainstream media, there is always another side to the story. Don’t take anything you see or read at face value.
Me: What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?
Alexandra: The hardest part of writing “Truth” was that I was telling my own story.
Me: What genre do you like writing the most?
Alexandra: To date I’ve only written a memoir, so I’d say that’s my favorite!
Me:Do you ever experience writer's block?
Alexandra: Of course! Don’t we all?
For me the best way to avoid it is to do “block writing.” I just write anything that comes to mind and worry about cleaning it up later. That way I don’t get stuck and waste time trying to make something work.
Me: Do you write an outline before every book you write?
Alexandra: No. I definitely flew by the seat of my pants when I wrote “Truth.” I think it worked out because I was writing about my own experiences and I knew exactly how I wanted to share what happened.
Me: Have you ever hated something you wrote?
Alexandra: Absolutely! As a reporter it happened all the time. A deadline loomed. The right words proved elusive. An editor demanded copy. Just spell check, hit save and send. File it. Forget about it. Start the next story. It’s all I could do.
Welcome, Alexandra! Thank you for taking the time to sit down with me!
Me: What books/authors have influenced your writing?
Alexandra: This is a good question – one I generally have a hard time answering.
The people who influenced my writing most aren’t actually authors. They’re the sports writers and editors who mentored me when I began writing for a daily newspaper in high school. I started by writing small blurbs with the game results, who scored, etc. During what was essentially a four-year apprenticeship, I learned to write “game stories” and feature stories.
Without that small, but dedicated group of people who helped nurture my talent all of those years ago, I never would have become an award-winning journalist and I wouldn’t have the ability or the courage to share my story.
Me: How did you come up with the title(s)?
Alexandra: I was listening to the radio one day and a song came on that included the lyrics, “truth be told.” It just resonated with me.
I found it especially appropriate because my book is a brutally honest account of how I met, fell in love with and married the man of my dreams only to find out that he self-identified as and planned on having gender reassignment surgery to become a woman. I also share what happened after I discovered this shocking secret.
Me: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Alexandra: “Truth Be Told: Adam Becomes Audrey” is a memoir, so it is based entirely on events in my own life.
I felt compelled to tell my story because it provides a different perspective on an oft-told tale. While many members of the LGBT community share their stories in their own books or through the mainstream media, we seldom hear how their experiences affect their families and friends. I wanted to give those people a voice and to let them know their stories are important, too.
Me: What books have most influenced your life most?
Alexandra: That’s another good, but tough question. I discovered my own “voice” as a young writer, and while it has grown a bit over the years, I’ve been determined not to be swayed by anyone else’s style. So in that sense, as a writer, I can’t honestly say I’ve been influenced by any books. I can’t say, “I read this book and decided to become a writer,” or “I read this book and decided to change my writing style.”
Now, as a voracious reader, I’d say the books that influenced my life most are those I read as a child. They were the classics – The Black Stallion, Black Beauty, Charlotte’s Web, Anne of Green Gables… There are almost too many to mention!
Me: What book are you reading now?
Alexandra: I’m reading Witch Wraith: The Dark Legacy of Shannara, by Terry Brooks. I love science fiction and fantasy, and Terry Brooks is one of my favorite authors.
Me: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Alexandra: I’m sad to say, no. But that’s not because there aren’t any great new authors out there. It’s because I’ve been so wrapped up in my own work, I haven’t had a chance to pay attention to anything else.
Me: What are your current projects?
Alexandra: I am getting ready to start the research for my second book, which will be based on my father’s life as a staunch anti-Communist and political refugee in post-World War II Europe.
Me: Do you see writing as a career?
Alexandra: Yes. I plan on writing at least two more books. And since I’ll need a day job (unless I hit the lottery or land a really sweet publishing deal) I also plan on transitioning into a new career where I can capitalize upon my writing skills. I’ve already devoted more than 20 years to a career in community journalism. Now I’m ready to try something else.
Me: If you could change anything in your book, would you?
Alexandra: No. It’s not perfect – I don’t think there’s any such thing as the perfect book – but I’m proud of the final product. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Me: How did you get started with the writing venture?
Alexandra: I was born to write.
As I said earlier, I started writing for a daily newspaper when I was in high school. I essentially did a four-year apprenticeship while I was in high school and a one-year college internship at the same paper. I officially began my journalism career soon after graduating from college in 1991 and the rest is history.
Me: Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
Alexandra: It is mentally grueling. The quest to find just the right word to convey an idea in just the right way… It never ends, especially if you’re a perfectionist!
Me: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Alexandra: If this is something you really, really want to do, go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it or it won’t amount to anything. But be realistic. Very few people become rich or famous doing this. If you’re just doing it for the money, you’re doing it for the wrong reason.
Me: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Alexandra: Yes. Thank you for your interest in my work. If you take nothing else away from this book, please remember that no matter what you see or read in the mainstream media, there is always another side to the story. Don’t take anything you see or read at face value.
Me: What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?
Alexandra: The hardest part of writing “Truth” was that I was telling my own story.
Me: What genre do you like writing the most?
Alexandra: To date I’ve only written a memoir, so I’d say that’s my favorite!
Me:Do you ever experience writer's block?
Alexandra: Of course! Don’t we all?
For me the best way to avoid it is to do “block writing.” I just write anything that comes to mind and worry about cleaning it up later. That way I don’t get stuck and waste time trying to make something work.
Me: Do you write an outline before every book you write?
Alexandra: No. I definitely flew by the seat of my pants when I wrote “Truth.” I think it worked out because I was writing about my own experiences and I knew exactly how I wanted to share what happened.
Me: Have you ever hated something you wrote?
Alexandra: Absolutely! As a reporter it happened all the time. A deadline loomed. The right words proved elusive. An editor demanded copy. Just spell check, hit save and send. File it. Forget about it. Start the next story. It’s all I could do.
No comments have been added yet.
