An Interview with Donna Moss
by Taniko
Donna
Moss has been helping guide The West Wing into the fine roleplay we see here
on Pan Historia, helping to convey the best of the atmosphere from that TV
series into an interactive world we can enjoy day by day. She's also got
a sense of humor - helpful these days! - and a sense of commitment to Pan
Historia and to the friends she's made here. I manage to catch a few minutes
of her time as she runs from one place to the next!
Q: Tell us some things about yourself.
First of all, thank you for this honor. And it is quite an honor to be
in the company of so many outstanding PH characters. *Now for the facts,
strictly the facts, ma'am.* Born and raised outside of the Motor City, I
graduated from college with a BS and MS in Education. I've been married,
divorced, and have once lived in sin, much to the dismay of my parents and
parish priest. Presently I live in Florida and have been visiting Home Depot
quite often! In case you haven't heard, we Floridians have been expecting
some unwanted company by the names of Charley, Francis, and Ivan!
"Florida was to Americans what America had always been to the rest of the world -- a fresh, free, unspoiled start." -- The Orchid Thief Susan Orlean
More on moi! I have always been a 'political junkie' ...as a kid, I campaigned for my favorite local candidates, and as an adult I have worked on a few state and national campaigns. I've served as a precinct chairperson and been elected on the executive board of my teachers' association.
I'm not a member of any organized political party, I'm a Democrat! - Will Rogers
Like many others growing up, my family would sit down for dinner and discuss current events. So politics is in my blood. My parents encouraged my brother and I to have opinions and stand up for our convictions. As a teacher I try to pass this passion for politics and patriotism on to my students.
To those of you who received honors, awards and distinctions, I say well done. And to the C students, I say you too may one day be president of the United States. - George W. Bush
Besides being into politics and history, I love to travel. I believe that travelling is good for the soul, if not taxing on the pocketbook. But the sacrifice is worth it to me. Favorite places? Rome, Paris, London, and the Greek Islands ... wait ... Ephesus was wonderful..AND so was Provence...AND so was....lol! Someday I hope to see Egypt by floating down, or is it up, lol..the Nile. My last trip was to the Caribbean. I discovered cave tubing in a Belizean rainforest and then snorkeled with the sting rays in Grand Cayman. I hope the stingrays are still snug in the sand after hurricane Ivan!
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries. ~Aldous Huxley
Q: How did you discover PanHistoria?
Well..to start at the beginning, my mother found a tiny blip about Ancient Sites in the Sunday Parade magazine. I was hooked! Then when AS collapsed, friends, like Elgon Agis, pointed me to PH and I've been here ever since. I can state without any doubt that PH has enriched my life.
Q: You are a MoBster for West Wing, and write there. How did you and your fellow MoBsters decide to run with this as a PanHistoria novel idea? What most fascinates you about the concept?
Liaus Horatius and a couple of other PH friends and I always discuss the West Wing TV show, and so was born the idea. The West Wing satisfies my fantasy of working in the White House. *Jed Bartlett has been MY imaginary president over the past 4 years* Somehow we West Wingers found each other and I would like to thank Liaus Horatius, Ainsley Hayes, CJ Gregg, Rolan Boyd, and all the others who have joined the West Wing. Oops! Can't forget Josh!
Q: You are also in the Red Carpet Society and the Comedy Club - all very different in purpose. Tell us what drew you to those Novels?
I get all my new material from the Comedy Club!.And I enjoy the contests and discussions at the Red Carpet Society. Liaus, have I mentioned his name before?..*G* Should receive an award for recruiter of the year!
Q: In some random hypothetical roleplay, what sort of character would be your greatest "stretch", but that you might consider tackling sometime?
A sci fi character, a Republican political consultant, or a general in the Roman Army!! Perhaps all three are synonymous? *wry smile*
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishments, whether in real life, or here on PanHistoria?
Quite a loaded question..lol..just surviving and trying to become the best person I can be. Any other answers written here and folks would point a finger at me and shout "HUBRIS!"
Q: If there is any person, from any era of history, that you would like to spend an evening conversing with, who might you choose, and what types of things would you like to talk with him or her about?
Great question and so glad you asked. I'd have breakfast with Cleopatra. I'd want to see her in person just so that I could tell the world what she really looked like! There's always been great discussions as to her physical beauty. I'd want to ask her about her marriages to Julius Caesar and Marc Antony too! Then I'd have a leisurely lunch with Marie Antoinette and inquire as to what she was thinking! I've been to Versailles and felt like I could have become a revolutionary myself after seeing the palace grounds. Finally, an early American sit down dinner with John Adams and his wife, Abigail. After reading McCullough's biography of Adams, I'd really like to dish the dirt with those two about Jefferson, Franklin, and all the other early patriots.
This was fun! I'm so happy to be honored as PH's featured character. I hope to see all of you wanna be dignitaries, journalists, military personnel, and political junkies at The West Wing soon! There's always a scandal and a reception to follow
Living on earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun. Source Unknown.
