Tell us a little about your background—has it in any way contributed to your desire to become a writer?

Thanks, Lynne, for your interest and thoughtful questions.

My mother was a great reader and admirer of writers. She taught my brother and me to love books, libraries and quiet times. Also, reading was a wonderful escape from reality and a great pastime for a shy lesbian child.
When I started reading lesbian books – Radclyffe Hall, drugstore paperbacks and later Jane Rule and Isabelle Miller – I wanted to write books that gave other lesbians as much – and more – pleasure and validation as these books gave me.

Who are some of the authors you consider to be your earliest influences?

Mazo de la Roche (The Jalna novels), John Steinbeck, Carson McCullers, James Baldwin, John O'Hara, Charles Dickens, Eudora Welty, Truman Capote, Victor Hugo, Radclyffe Hall, Thomas Wolfe, Jane Rule, Isabelle Miller and many more.

Did you face any early challenges to finding success in writing?

Like lack of outlets for lesbian writing?
I wrote for "The Ladder" until it shut down. Without an audience, direction, encouragement or any possibility of publication – I got a little down. Then came the miracles: "Sinister Wisdom," "Common Lives Lesbian Lives," Diana Press and Naiad Press for starters – the beginnings of a lesbian literature I'd never imagined.

What are you currently working on?

I have been working on a novel called Beggar of Love for a few years now.  It's about two characters from short stories that I wrote: Jefferson and Ginger. I'm exploring Jefferson's life from childhood into her 50's.

What were some of the major inspirations behind the situations and characters of your latest novel Sweet Creek?

The land (rural Pacific Northwest) was a major inspiration. It drew so many kinds of people, particularly lesbians, the area acted as a new melting pot for late 20th century lifestyle pioneers: back-to-the-land settlers, hippies, redneck hippies, Vietnam vets, lesbian separatists, radical faeries, conservatives, radical Christians, liberals, retirees. It was a long strange trip and the scenery was gorgeous.

You've been writing lesbian fiction since the 1960's; what significant changes have you seen since then in terms of lesbian fiction's visibility, and the way it is published?

Back then, every lesbian word was a cry in the dark from a whole people strangled by others' fear and hatred of us.  Now we're in the limelight with our own publishers, TV shows, art, music, religions. The fear and hatred of us is still there, but we're stronger because of our culture. Many women are still afraid to go into women's or gay bookstores, afraid to be on mailing lists, scared to order on line, but thanks to some incredible visionaries, I think we're reaching more and more.

Do you set yourself a strict routine when you're writing? What's your atmosphere like?

I write in a beautiful big room with a view thanks to the friends I rent from, yet my atmosphere
feels pretty desperate. I have one day a week to write so I really push myself, but I have thus far untreated sleep apnea and fall asleep a lot while working. I honestly don't know how I get any writing done. My house is filled with index cards that I collect on writing day. These are the words and ideas I jot down on the run.

You really have a knack for portraying blue collar, working class folk. What do you attribute your unique understanding of these characters to?

Thank you. Half my family is self-described Boston shanty Irish. I spent a lot of time visiting them while I was growing up. I have a fondness for them and a nostalgia for the way they lived – everything from patterned oilcloth tablecloths to urban art work that reminds me of those days. I was usually the only kid around – I watched and listened a lot.

Has there been a particular book amongst those you have written that was particularly easy (or difficult) to write?

The three short story collections, Old Dyke Tales, Home In Your Hands and Cactus Love, were easier because short stories come easy to me.

Every novel was difficult and each had its own joys and struggles. Sweet Creek was a constant fight against the feeling that I'd lost my ability to write. The Swashbuckler was a story waiting to get on paper so it was a little easier.  Mostly, a bad day writing is better than a good day working at my job – or doing anything else.

My syndicated column, "The Amazon Trail" (and the collected early columns) is really the easiest to write. Which is a good thing since it's been running in periodicals across the county monthly for 20 years now. I feel like I'm having a conversation with the readers. I often get ideas for subjects from friends, so it's sometimes almost communal writing.

What's the biggest challenge for you personally about being a writer?

Finding time to write.

Have you ever felt pressure from a publisher because of something you wrote, or didn't want to write?

No, the majority of the time I have felt great respect from the publishers I've worked with.

What are some of your favorite books from 2005?

2005 was a tough year for me. My partner, Marcia Santee, had misdiagnosed ovarian cancer and died in June.  I read a lot of unmemorable escape books.  I did, however, discover Val McDermid's work, which has gone on my keeper shelves.

Tell us something about Lee Lynch no-one else knows…  

This is a fascinating question, but I'm pretty open. I can't think of a thing.

Are you a fan of The L Word?

Unfortunately we either don't get that show here, or my basic cable package doesn't include it.

What would you consider to be your best and worst attributes?

My passion for writing is both. It's something I can give to lesbians and it kind of overshadows the rest of my life so I haven't been as available to partners, friends and family as I'd like to have been.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers trying to get their break in publishing?

Write, submit, keep writing, keep submitting. Go where the writers are: conferences, readings, web sites. Network. Publish whatever and wherever you can. Start small and build on your successes. The more of us that are writing, the harder it will be to silence us.
Speaking of which, readers from as far away as France have told me they can't find my books. www.newvictoria.com has some of them, www.boldstrokesbooks.com has the newest, Sweet Creek, and I have a limited supply of the rest ( ).

Thanks again for taking the time, Lynne. I've enjoyed your questions.

My pleasure entirely, Lee.