Gathering the scraps: Guest post on a writing life by #BLauthor10 Leah Lederman

"Two," by Meg Flannery

My writing life is one of voyeurism rather than action (Note: look up voyeurism definition and make sure it isn’t that other thing). I’m surrounded by writing on a daily basis; my entire income is based on the writing of others. But I’m no writer.

So when Blood Lotus asked me to compose a guest post about my “life as a writer” I was stumped.

I do write a lot of emails.

Co-editor Omar Figueras interviews #BLauthor10 Leah Lederman

"Flapper," by Meg Flannery

Check out Omar's interview with Leah Lederman, with art by Meg Flannery, and stay tuned for a guest post by Leah coming mid-week.

OF: In your story, "Dust to Dust," the nameless main character cares for and attends to the elderly, in life and after death. Her story is replete with fine details and nuances of end of life care. What was the inspiration behind your story? Have you ever worked in in hospice, or have you had a loved one in hospice care?

LL: This story comes directly from a deep-seated neurosis involving cleaning. My home is by no means overly clean, but I have a long history of finding solace and satisfaction in cleaning. My journals as a kid generally included some note like, “When I got home I swept the dining room and washed dishes” (which should also tell you that my childhood was incredibly boring). My first job, starting at age fourteen, was as a night-time cleaning lady. It just so happens that  I worked at a few medical offices. Later in life I worked at one again, not as a cleaner but as an assistant. But this story is about cleaning, not medical care.

#BLauthor10: Leah Lederman

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#BLauthor10 is Leah Lederman

Leah Lederman writes her stories when everyone else goes to bed. She cleans a lot.

Enjoy a Lederman story about cleaning—and stay tuned for a guest post and interview with the author next week.