An Interview with the Author

I have been writing since I was 8 years old, when I was asked to write a story for my elementary school newspaper. So, my path began long ago. Over the years, I have been a paid journalist for a local newspaper, had poetry published, and have had numerous articles published. I actually had a column once. I've seen my name in print as an author for many, many years. Honestly, it never occurred to me that there might be a time when I couldn't get something published. I like to write:) 

 I love reading books of all types. Fiction and non-fiction, historical, sci-fi, poetry, biographies, children's stories, romantic novels, ancient literature... doesn't matter, I just love reading and learning from what I read. And I love listening to stories and I love telling stories. Plus, I enjoy observing people and watching how they react to things and situations. Because of my reading and learning and observing, it occurred to me that I too had something to say, that could be put into a book. In my mind I have always been an author... it just took me a few decades to actually pull the strands of thought from my mind and put them on paper.

A I get my inspiration for writing from observation and from my imagination. I have an active imagination, so even just staring at clouds gives me inspiration or looking at rock formations and imagining how those rocks were formed or imagining an inanimate object taking on a personality. For as long as I can remember, I have had the innate ability to create stories in my mind. I can quickly give something as plain as a water glass a history and a family. I do the same with people. I can look at a stranger and create a life story for them, based on how they look at the time, or how I watched them react to something. In my world, everything has a story and sometimes those stories just beg to be told. And because I observe constantly, see things that others sometimes do not see. As a young girl, I read all of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries, along with the Nancy Drew mystery series. Perhaps it was this early reading about how a fictional detective's mind works that made a lasting impression on me. No idea really. I just know that almost everything and everyone becomes a story in my mind. And I do believe that God gave me the talent to write. I believe that everyone has a talent or skill, but some people live their entire lives without realizing what their skill is. I am blessed to have known my skill since I was a child. 

 Every book I've ever read has contributed to my inspiration to write. Perhaps a sentence jumped out at me, or a theme or a character or even just a title. Each book is special. I'm one of those people that revere books to the point that I get annoyed if I see someone dog-ear a book or use a book as a coaster (especially if it has a nice book cover on it!). I respect the knowledge and skill that goes into the birth of a book. And I respect the perseverance of the author to see his/her idea through to fruition. Do I have a favorite book or series? Yes. I love The Chronicles of Narniaby T.S. Lewis and theKent Family Chronicles by John Jakes. And one of my very favorites is A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter. And of course, I adore the Harry Potter series! Imagination at its best. 

 All of my writing begins in my head, where it germinates for quite a while before I harvest the thoughts by putting them on paper. And so, the routine begins with germination mentally. Then when it feels right, I set aside time to put the words on paper. I have always had bad handwriting, so when I say "words on paper" what I really mean is I type. And then, after putting these words on paper, I usually walk away for a bit... maybe I close the laptop for an hour, or maybe for a few days. The thoughts are always churning in my mind though. I don't have a set time of the day, nor a set amount of time I spend physically writing. But in my mind, I write constantly. Sometimes I'll think of a word or see something that triggers a thought... and I'll jot it down on a sticky note. These are all over my desk:). And, I keep a daily hand-written journal. It isn’t a diary, and it isn’t a blow-by-blow accounting of my daily life. Rather, it is a journal of thoughts, gratitude and things/people for whom I am thankful. To quote a line from an old movie, "A writer writes" ... so my routine is to always be writing, whether mentally or physically. 

 Children are our future. The children of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. Or they will be the homeless or the failures of tomorrow. Their minds are sponges when they are young, and I firmly believe that it is our (the adults of today) responsibility to help these young people develop into well-thinking/well-being adults. Children's stories not only entertain, but if told in an entertaining way, they also teach. A story can help teach a child how to interact with others, how to be helpful, and even, how to care and nurture and of course, how not to behave. I love the innocence of a child's mind. A mind that hasn't yet learned to be negative. Writing a children's story helps not the child who reads the story, but the adult in the household who brought the book into the child's life and also, it helps the author who had a story to be told.  

In addition to the Boomer and Matilda series (there are 3 in the series), I have a faith-based book entitled "Yesterday's Prayers." Waiting in the wings, is a 2nd faith-based book about the power of faith. God plants ideas in my mind and I just run with them. I'm also putting the finishing touches on a book of poetry entitled "45". I know that's an odd name for a book of poetry, but it is actually a collection of poetry written by five poets who represent four generations of writers in my family. (Yes, writing runs in our blood). And lastly, I'm collaborating on a cookbook with a friend of mine from England. Then there is the murder mystery that has been germinating in my mind so long that it has started clamoring to get out as well. I love writing words!