Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul Contributor Interview

Our interviews with some of the contributors to Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul continue with award-winning author Sallie Rodman. Sallie has contributed to several Chicken Soup anthologies, as well as magazines such as Angels on Earth, Mystery Review, and ByLine. Weīll talk to Sallie about her work and her contribution to Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul.

Thanks for joining us today, Sallie. Itīs a wonderful treat to have you with us.

Before we talk about Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul letīs find out more about you. How long have you been writing?

Iīve been writing about 12 years. I got my Certificate in Professional writing in 1996 from Calif. State University, Long Beach. At that time I wasnīt writing at all. I had always wanted to from the time I put out a neighborhood gossip paper when I was seven. Unfortunately, my dad had to buy all the copies at a nickel a piece.

One day some of the group that had taken the certificate program a year earlier came to talk to us and one woman gave me her card. They were talking about the importance of staying committed to writing and the writing community. One tends to get all pepped up to write during the class and then later īreal life gets in the way.ī So I contacted her about joining her group. It took awhile but we finally connected and weīve been writing together ever since. There are eight members and we meet every three weeks without fail. It motivates me to bring something to the meeting that I need a critique on or to provide helpful suggestions for others.

Who or what inspires you the most?

Iīm inspired to reach others. I want to share my experiences and "ahaīs" with the world. I love writing about the synchronicity of everyday life.

For example, I eloped with my high school sweetheart at nineteen and ended up getting married in black. Obviously, we didnīt end up at the theatre that weekend. My youngest daughter, Mary was quite the rebel in her teenage years but paid me the ultimate compliment. She eloped at 32 on my wedding anniversary thirty-seven years later and got married in black. When I asked her why, she said it was because her father and I had been married so long, she thought it would be good luck for her marriage too. Now, no one would believe that story but things like this inspire me.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love doing mixed art media. This has become a new passion of mine. I would like to do some articles on rubber stamping and altered books, fiber arts and collage. I also love those little ATCīs (Altered Trading Cards). I make all my own cards and although Hallmark has nothing to worry about, I do think they are quite good.

Iīm a ferocious reader and when Iīm stressed, I head for a bookstore. It seems to calm the savage beast. My dream is to end up working in some capacity for Chicken Soup at their headquarters or out of my home. I would love to be a story compiler. Iīd think Iīd died and gone to heaven.

Do any of those spare time activities make their way into your writing?

I love spending time with my family, my husband Paul and my three children Patrick, Jennifer whom youīve met in my story and Mary, my youngest. Now my family includes two grandchildren and three in-laws, or is it out-laws? So far, that is what has found its way into my writing. Family times, memories of the past, the happy and the sad and hopes for the future. One of my stories in Chicken Soup that Iīm most proud of is a story about the death of my sister, Gloria. I went through a lot of tissues writing that one. If I donīt cry or get a lump in my throat when I read my story I know I havenīt yet hit the mark.

I am fond of the story I wrote for American Idol since it was a special time for my daughter Jennifer and I. I am in awe of all she does as a military wife and mother. I guess I didnīt do too badly in raising her.

What genres do you focus on? Do you prefer one over the others?

Iīm strictly a non-fiction writer. I love inspiration, self-help, memoir, of course, and biography. I wouldnīt mind trying a fiction piece but so far it hasnīt happened. As for reading, mysteries are my favorite, cozies mostly. No blood and guts, thank you.

How many Chicken Soup anthologies have you contributed to?

I have over twenty plus stories in Chicken Soup anthologies with two more due out this year. I have judged stories for about ten of their books. And one of my stories made it onto their dog food bags. How cool is that? A lot of the books have been translated into other foreign languages or posted on the Internet and it excites me every time I find one. I also see some of my stories going out on Beliefnet for their īDaily Helping of Chicken Soup.ī On Christmas I saw one of my Christmas stories posted there and it made my day extra special.

What is it about Chicken Soup books that youīre attracted to?

I absolutely love Chicken Soup books. I still get excited when I sell a story. They are so well written when they get down to the core 100 or so stories that make up a book that it is an honor to be included. They make me cry, make me laugh and can be read in one sitting. Chicken Soup anthologies are inspirational and the funny thing is that all the stories are true, slice-of-life happenings.

Tell us about some of your magazine contributions.

Well, I did a book review of a local mystery bookstore for Mystery Review. That was the first article I sold to a magazine offered at the big bookstores. What a thrill. Angels on Earth bought another true story of a synchronistic event that happened on Thanksgiving. I had been very ill, lost my job because of it, and was pretty down. The entire family went to Knottīs Berry Farm for dinner and I bought one of those geodes that they split open for you. At the time it seemed stupid and we really couldnīt afford it but I felt compelled to do so. When they broke it open, it had the perfect angel inside made of various stones including amethyst. The man even offered to buy it from me for a pretty penny. I took it as a sign everything was going to be ok and it was.

"Romantic Homes" was a story about how we sometimes need to leave our homes for a short time to appreciate what we have again.

One of my favorite articles was a humorous full page spread in the Orange County Register newspaper on identity theft that my husband and I experienced.

There are more, but you get the idea. Iīm always on the hunt for new markets.

How did you get involved with Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul? Did you have an advantage over other contributors because of your past work with Chicken Soup?

I simply submitted a story to the Chicken Soup callout for American Idol stories. I took a slice-of-life story about my daughter and I that was true and just told the story. I donīt think I had any advantage over other contributors other than knowing what Chicken Soup likes, but anyone can learn that from reading their books and studying their stories. I have judged so many of their books I can see what they want and what they donīt want. But, if you read their requirements on the website and follow them, along with some good writing, youīve got a shot. I see a lot of shoddy writing with great ideas when I judge, so my advice is to learn good writing. Take a community college course, or do it online, but do it. The best story line or idea will not make up for bad writing.

How long have you been watching American Idol?

Last year was my first year and Iīm hooked. Iīm watching again this year and of course I have my favorites.

What is it about this show that draws you in?

Itīs the old story, small town girl/boy makes good. I think the idea that anyone who can sing can realize their dream of being the American Idol is great. I love the judges, especially Simon. He is so honest. He really does tell it like it is.

Tell us about your daughter Jennifer.

Oh Jennifer, or Jen, as I refer to her. What can I say except that she is so special? I love my two other children dearly but she and I click on some deep level. We can finish each otherīs sentences and know what the other one is thinking. Of course, weīre not as close as we once were; she has her own life and family now. That is why Idol was so special last year. In my story I explained that her husband is in the Navy and was out to sea. So we would call each other every time Idol was on and gab about the singers and how they did, what they wore, who we were going to vote for. She also got a little time to herself to just relax. Being a military wife is not easy…making all the decisions alone, holding down the fort for months on end. She had just moved to Washington State so she didnīt know anyone yet, either. Iīm very proud of her as I am all my children.

Would you say that you have a closer relationship with your daughter because of American Idol?

Yes, it was a special time for her and I to bond. She had been gone to Japan to live for three years previously and we hadnīt been able to talk so much on the phone. It was great to have her only 1,000 miles away instead of halfway around the world. This year her husband is back home and weīre still watching Idol but we donīt call each other as much. Itīs just different this year. Last year will hold a special place in my heart with many memories for years to come.

Have you met any of the Idols? Is there someone you would especially like to meet?

I would love to meet Jordon Sparks. She was my pick from day one. Iīd love to see this yearīs group on tour.

Whatīs up next for you? Are there future projects you would like to share with our readers?

Well, Iīm working on a book about my life with panic disorder. I started it as a strict memoir but in doing a monthly column on panic and agoraphobia for a health website, I found people were more interested in how to cope with it. Now Iīm editing it to reflect the "tricks of the trade" Iīve learned over the years in dealing with this difficult disorder. At one time in my life I had agoraphobia; I didnīt leave the house alone. I never flew until two years ago and now I love it and I go everywhere. Despite my problem Iīve worked my entire life for presidents and CEOīs of companies. Last year I ended my position with a local councilwoman and now I work for a director of trade for a nearby port. So there are coping tools for panic.

Someday Iīd love to try some fiction, perhaps a mystery or some chick-lit, but Iīm not sure if Iīm ready for that yet.☺

Is there anything you would like to add?

Just that Iīve loved writing for Chicken Soup and hope I have more opportunities to share my sad, funny, quirky stories in their wonderful anthologies.

Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul can be purchased at Amazon.com.