Interview with
LISA ROGAK
Lisa Rogak is the New York Times
bestselling author of more than 40 books. Her works have been mentioned in The
Wall Street Journal, Parade Magazine, USA Today, Family Circle, and hundreds of
other publications. She has also appeared on Oprah. Her latest biography, AND
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTHINESS: THE RISE (AND FURTHER RISE) OF STEPHEN COLBERT, was
published by St. Martin’s Press in the fall of 2011. THE DOGS OF WAR: THE
COURAGE, LOVE, & LOYALTY OF MILITARY WORKING DOGS followed shortly after.
What are you reading right now?
I
usually have 10 books going at once. I am reading lots of books on farming and
raising sheep, though I have no desire to do so…in my stack: THE DIRTY LIFE, SHEEPISH,
THE WORLD’S STRONGEST LIBRARIAN, STRINGS ATTACHED.
What first sparked your interest in writing?
I
read voraciously as a kid, but I didn't think of being a writer as an adult. I like
to say I became a writer when I learned I could get paid for indulging my
curiosity and getting to ask total strangers nosy questions.
What do you love the most about writing? The least?
I
love the research part the most.
The
least: waiting to get paid.
Tell us a little about your writing process.
I
spend very little of my time writing, only about 10%. I'm not sure if that is
the case for most writers, but the research takes up the bulk - after I start a
book, I research various stories, figure out who to contact, and then how to
contact them, 
and then communicate with them - along with the business end of
things. Research is the polar opposite of writing, so I can't do both at once.
The writing goes very quickly once the research is done.
and then communicate with them - along with the business end of
things. Research is the polar opposite of writing, so I can't do both at once.
The writing goes very quickly once the research is done.
What are your passions?
I
love to bake and cook. I used to love to travel and spent a few years as a
nomad, but now I'm settled back in New Hampshire quite happily. And I have to
get outside and move - walk or bike - every day or else I'm cranky at day's
end.
What inspires you?
Getting
up every day. Each day is a gift.
Why write about dogs?
A
lot of the books I write are based on ideas from editors, publishers, and my
agent. I've never owned a dog, but am surrogate aunt to several dogs here in
New Hampshire. After researching DOGS OF WAR and DOGS OF COURAGE, I really
understood dogs a lot better; in a past life I was a crazy cat lady. Today I
have no animals.
Why biographies?
Again,
because of market conditions: who's popular, who doesn't have a current
biography available, etc. That's the kind of writer I am. That said, once I dig
into the subject of my book, I'm intrigued and energized by the topic for the
length of the research.
How was THE DOGS OF WAR born?
After
the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, word got out there was a military working
dog on the mission. All of a sudden, people wanted to know more about these
dogs. My publisher asked if I wanted to do a book, and we were off and running.
Which do you enjoy more: research or writing?
Research.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Read
everything and just start writing. Create your own reality and ignore the
rules.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about
yourself?
If
the photos in my new book ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY: HEARTWARMING STORIES OF ANIMALS
CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER don't make you go “awwwwww,” then you should check for a
pulse.