The following interview with Elise Seyfried took place in suburban Philadelphia. As Elise sat on her luxurious back deck, dressed in her signature “shabby chic” style, a cup of lukewarm coffee beside her, she shared some intriguing tidbits from her recent activities, as well as a sneak peak of upcoming events. There were no reporters available for this gig, so the resourceful Ms. Seyfried decided to conduct the interview herself.
Q: Before we begin, may I ask how you maintain the radiant glow that is surely the envy of the neighborhood?
A: I perspire a lot. Climbing stairs with laundry baskets, chasing grandchildren at their bedtime, baking complicated pies in an un-airconditioned kitchen. Or I’m sweating various writing and church deadlines. But I like the way you call it a “glow.”
Q: Ah. OK. So what have you been up to?
A: I just told you. Laundry. Cooking. Grandchild wrangling…
Q: I mean what of any interest to your FANS have you been up to?
A: Well, I just made my standup comedy debut at a fundraiser. It went pretty well I think. People even laughed. Though my family did laugh loudest. Let me tell you, I glowed that night!
Q: Any news about that big project you directed?
A: The church Christmas pageant? We’re doing it again this year. New baby Jesus and everything.
Q: Fascinating. And when will that be out?
A: Christmas.
Q: Bold timing.
A: I thought so, yes.
Q: A little birdie told us retirement is in your future! Do you have any big travel plans?
A: Well, my husband and I are hoping to take the trip to Europe that was scheduled for April, 2020, then rescheduled for September 2020, then rescheduled for June 2022, but we might have to push it back again.
Q: Well, good luck with that!
A: I’ll keep everyone posted. If we go in 2023, the pandemic will hopefully be over, but then there might be another pandemic, so in that case we’d…
Q: Moving right along! This is the part of boring interviews where I pull out random questions, in hopes of sparking something vaguely interesting. You love to cook, right? What’s your favorite herb?
A: Alpert.
Q: Last book you read?
A: I’m enjoying our neighborhood book club selection for this month. It’s great so far. I forget the title, but it’s under 400 pages, so that’s the important thing.
Q: Music you’d take to a desert island?
A: Probably “SOS” by Abba.
Q: If you had a motto, what would it be?
A: Don’t sweat the small stuff. I mean, glow.
Q: Look at the time! I’m afraid we need to wrap this up, Elise. A pleasure as always!
A: What did you say your name was?
Q: What a sense of humor!
A: I try.
And with that snappy exchange, our interview with the delightful Elise Seyfried came to an end. This is Elise Seyfried, reminding you to pre-order Elise’s upcoming memoir, Talking to Myself.
-
I am an author (of five books, numerous plays, poetry and freelance articles,) a retired director (of Spiritual Formation at a Lutheran church,) and a producer (of five kids).
I write about my hectic, funny, perfectly imperfect life.
Please visit my website: www.eliseseyfried.com or email me at eliseseyf@gmail.com.
