Interview with M.D. Cliatt author of The Public Pretender

M. D. Cliatt is a wife and a mother of two teenage boys. She lives in Central Pennsylvania where she is a staff attorney in a law school clinical program, and an adjunct law professor who teaches juvenile justice and legal writing. She used to be a public defender specializing in representing children, and for the most part, loved the work. She thrived in the heat of courtroom battle, but the highs were very high and the lows were very low and she burned out. Now, she spends time grading papers, supervising law students as they represent indigent clients in court and reading with her sister in their long distance book club.

What inspired you to write your first book?

Because I grew up as a bookworm, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. I marveled at the way an author could magically transport me to another world by intertwining my imagination with the author’s and without the use of pictures, videos or soundtracks. So, I started buying journals to write stories, but I never finished any of them. I was motivated to write The Public Pretender book because I was mad about the way the juvenile justice system works and how little families knew about it. I started writing a guide. A creative spring erupted in my mind while I was writing, and I couldn’t force myself to stay within the rigid lines of legal exposition. It seemed fitting to write a novel to explain it because I spent more time using stories and analogies to explain to kids and their families what was happening to them in court. And, admittedly, I enjoyed the fictional narrative more.

What books have influenced your life the most?

Classic Wisdom for the Good Life edited by Bryan Curtis.

What are your current projects?

I have three projects swirling around in my brain right now. With the help of my sons, I’m putting pen to paper--or fingers to keyboard--on a fantasy novel about a pregnant queen. I’m developing the plot for a sequel to The Public Pretender and flirting with a romance novel about a teenage runaway.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I would’ve gone with my gut, instead of my well-meaning loved one, and not included a certain character in a scene during the climax of the book. Thankfully, that character isn’t significant to the scene and says nothing, but it irks me that the character is there. It didn’t feel right; however, I suspect I’m the only person who notices or feels this way.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author?

So, I’ve been told that I need to refrain from describing every little detail.

What has been the best compliment?

A reader told me that she liked the characters and the plot, but she was very upset about the relationship between the protagonist and one of her friends. She empathized with the friend and argued for her. At that moment, I realized the characters came alive for her the way they did for me.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Write every single day--even if your muse has abandoned you and it feels like crap--or you risk losing the flow of your book and a consistent voice.

What is your favorite quality about yourself?

I’m loyal.

What is your least favorite quality about yourself?

Sometimes I play it too safe and fail to take risks and then spend too much time regretting it.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Thank you for hosting me and I look forward to your readers’ comments.