Susan Reinhardt has been called “the Southern Belle’s answer to David Sedaris” and “a modern-day, Southern-fried Erma Bombeck or Dave Barry.” An award-winning syndicated humor columnist and author of three books — Not Tonight, Honey: Wait ‘til I’m a Size 6 (2005); Don’t Sleep With a Bubba Unless Your Eggs are in Wheelchairs (2007); and Dishing with the Kitchen Virgin (2008) — Reinhardt says there’s no chance such praise will go to her head because, while she appreciates it, she doesn’t fully believe it.
She really should, though. Born and raised in the South, the author and journalist lives in Asheville, North Carolina. She has a knack for telling stories that make readers laugh out loud, both at her own antics — and there are plenty from which to choose — and those of the myriad colorful characters she writes about.
Perhaps today more than ever, people need to be on the lookout for things to laugh about. Thankfully, Susan Reinhardt makes the search a little easier.
Mary Ward Menke: You’re a staff columnist at the Asheville Citizen-Times and your column is also syndicated. What made you decide to become a humor columnist?
Strange and funny things always seem to happen to me or my family and friends. Since humor and storytelling come natural to me — in other words I talk too much and laugh too hard — it fit nicely.
What’s a typical day like in the life of Susan Reinhardt?
A typical day starts at about seven, with me rousing my sleeping kids and getting them off to school. Then I make the strongest, motor-oil-tasting coffee I can and begin answering tons of e-mail. I may write a column, or if one isn’t due, I’ll work on a novel or project.
I go to the refrigerator quite often, since I no longer work full-time in the office. I went part-time at the paper to work on more books.
What’s the weirdest or most memorable thing you’ve ever done for your job?
About the weirdest thing I had to do was go whitewater rafting with 27 prisoners. And once, as a young, stupid reporter, I covered an air show and somehow ended up in a trick plane that did loops upside down. I was terrified.
