An interview with Lina Sophia Rossi, ‘LisaML’,
by Gerardine Baugh
Tell us something about yourself.
I have a BS in Biology and Anthropology and am a Family Physician working in an asylum, after years of public health clinic medicine, HMO and group practice medicine. I’m married and have lots of pets (cats, dogs, chicken and a turtle one year younger than me).
What do you bring from your background into your writing?
My father was a police officer and my little brother was a detective. We grew up seeing the bad and evil in the world, a kind of hypervigilant, paranoid or pessimistic view of the world. Dad brought home missing children fliers and talked about the famous criminals he met in addition to famous actors and directors he met when on detail in a movie filming in NY.
Since I work with forensic psychiatric patients, I wonder what makes people do the (evil) things they do? My spouse thinks, seeing the things I do daily changes my definition of “normal.” Conversing about my day in public may not be appropriate subject matter.
I try to counsel my patients at work, to take their pain/disappointments/ traumas in life and write about them. Take the pain and turn it into art (writing or drawing) and then one can sell it and set themselves free. People can come up with ample subject ideas from life, either from personal experience or from experiences they’ve witnessed friends or coworkers deal with.
What do you write? A specific genre?
When I was five, I wrote a story about my pet duck and my aunt, who was an editor, typed it for me. I wrote feature articles and news for the newspaper in high school, then Italian poems in my college Italian literary magazine. I’ve always written free verse poems and a few stories. I started out in Romance Writers, since there were many groups and classes where I lived a while ago, but switched to my preferred Horror Writers Association.
I need to revise my first novel manuscript. If it is said we all have a book in us, then this manuscript is it. I want to rewrite it so it becomes a well-written, strong, heart-wrenching manuscript, which can get published.
I have a number of other projects in early phases, one nonfiction but mostly paranormal fiction or dystopic fiction.
I enjoy Ira Levine and Robin Cook in the horror zone. Bram Stoker and Dracula are a classic. I like mystery and paranormal type suspense, not blood, guts, killing for just blood splatter. I enjoy Lora Leigh and Joan Johnston in the Romance genre. I wish I could write like the writing craft of any of these author’s I mentioned.
How did you hear about WVU?
A cousin told me about a place he was taking classes, but when I was searching, I found WVU, instead of what I was referred to. I think I joined in
What classes are you taking at WVU? How have they helped your writing?
I’ve taken most classes that interest me in fiction and nonfiction. I’m glad more poetry is being offered since that is my favored form. I have taken most of the staple classes for an MFA. Now I’m focusing on literature classes and new poetry classes.
I have learned a tremendous amount from the classes I’ve already done. My writing flow is a lot quicker and I find it easier to accomplish the assignments, as compared to the beginning. I’ve written more pieces since WVU.
Have you been published? What are you working on now?
Horror Writers Association published two of my poems in HWA Poetry Showcase Vol III and IV. I’ve had some poems and photos published in WVU’s literary magazine as well.
I started a dystopic novel; a book of linked stories, a nonfiction pet story and need to revise/ rewrite my horror novel. I have entered many chapbook contests and was a finalist in one. But, I would like to either publish a chapbook or a poetry book in the near future. I’m always writing mostly free verse poems. I’ve submitted a number of pieces and am waiting to hear back to see if they were accepted or rejected.
What would you tell anyone who aspires to be published?
I think one can accomplish anything one sets their mind to. I think perseverance and some skill (either innate or learned) is important. Since the world is linked digitally, one can attain any information needed by a tap of a few computer keys.
What classes are you taking at WVU? How have they helped your writing?
I have taken most classes except literature and new poetry classes.
I’ve learned a tremendous amount about writing craft and reading as a writer. The Art of Time, Subtext, Emotional Filter, Linked Stories, Cumulative Sentences, were very helpful to me, and my writing. I found The Artful Reader helpful for me to understand literature analysis.
What is the biggest surprise that you experienced at WVU?
Besides learning a great deal, I was surprised that classmates also build friendships and relationships and their feedback and their assignments also are teaching tools as much as any lesson or textbook.
Is there something you want to see offered at WVU?
I wanted to see more poetry and a poetry MFA track. I think that may be coming to fruition now.
To complete a certification, I know we need a certain number of workshops. This is a bit nebulous to me. I wish we could more easily figure out what we are lacking regarding our progress.
I find it useful that WVU also has a literary magazine to help all of us become published.
Writer's Tip: On procrastination, finding your muse, and keeping up with comments and classes.
I find it easier to write when my muse is active. I leave a pad in my car so I can scribble down lines as they come. I think trying to write daily may encourage the muse to show in a controlled setting.
I make a grid of all classes I’m taking and write down when I upload the assignment then put a check for every feedback I wrote for that week, so as not to miss something.
