Getting to know me

Several months ago author Ingela Hyatt had ten authors answer a set of questions. So I thought I'd go ahead and share my anwers here.

Questions:Q:If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have three books with which to read for five years, which three books would you take and why?

A:The Bible (for the stories and the spiritual inspiration), SAS Survival Handbook (to help me remember all I learned when my sons were in Boy Scouts) and something long and that I’ve never read. Can I have a pencil and paper? Then I could also write.

Q:If you could travel back in time for a month long vacation, which Era would you visit and why?
A: Oh, for only a month? My first thought on reading this question was the old Chinese proverb/curse ‘may you live in interesting times’. But if it’s only for a month, then I’d chose the American Revolutionary period. This is the beginning of the United State and the first definition of ‘American’. Perhaps the siege of Boston early in the conflict, or maybe be in Virginia at the time of Yorktown. I might get to meet/see one of the founding fathers.

Or perhaps the court of Queen Elizabeth I, but then I’d probably be in the kitchen scrubbing the pots and pans, so think I’ll go with the American Revolution

Q; If you could meet anyone of your characters in person, who would it be and why?

A: The heroine of my WIP, to find out why she’d turn down/resist the wonderful hero I’ve made for her. I need some reason to keep them apart so that I actually have a story. I really have to work to have conflict in my stories. Like I say, I met this guy, we went out a few times, he said ‘let’s get married’ and I said ‘OK’ , which is nice, but an awful short story.

Q; If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

A: I’ve been fortunate enough to travel extensively though out the US, so I’d love to go back to the UK – to re-visit all the places we went the first time and to see all the places we didn’t see the first time. To see more of Scotland, and to visit Wales.

Q: What is your favorite Season to write in and why?

A: Well, I’ve written stories in summer, spring and fall. Because there is an actual historical event in my stories, that sorta dictates which season it will be. Since a lot of the action in my stories occurs outside (cowboys, you know), guess why I’ve avoided winter time. Maybe I can come up with a Christmas story some time.

Q; What genre (if any) have you always dreamed of writing but haven't found the time and/or desire to write?

A: Want to write a Scottish historical, and if there was a market, one set in Ancient Greece. And the American Revolution.

Q: If you could meet any author in the world (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

A:Janice Holt Giles or Ellsworth Thane. Both wrote wonderful historical series that entranced me as a young reader. And yes, they are historical novels, but each had strong romantic thread.

Q: If you could meet any mythological or legendary creature/person, who would they be and why?

A: Legendary person – I’d go for George Washington. A really fascinating character who’s become more a caricature in modern times. But if you read any biographies, he was a very complex and fascinating man. And after visiting Mt. Vernon, and sitting on the back porch looking down over the lawn that falls away to the Potomac river, I know why he always spoke about wanting to go home.

Q: What is your favorite "guilty" pleasure and why?

A: US Soccer – I love international soccer, follow the World Cup qualifications and the cup itself. Why else would I be willing to get up in the middle of the night to watch the games that were played at 2am my time (2004 Cup)? Luckily this year the difference in time is better. US v. England on June 12 – check your local listing.

Q: What is the "coolest" or most interesting thing that has happened to you since becoming a published author?

A: I get to teach workshops and on-line classes. I’ve taught History, and now I’m teaching writing. And you get to meet so many other authors. My next on-line class is through the Orange County Chapter of RWA http://occrwa.org/ Another Time, Another Place - Tools to Transport the Reader starting May 10th.

Where would you go if you could travel back in time for a month?

Kentucky Green. Journeying to her childhood home of Kentucky, April Williamson allows nothing to deter her. Certainly not Dan McKenzie who’s duty bound to escort her. Dan believes the frontier of 1794 is no place for women. But in spite of their mutual attractions, a dark secret in his past means April cannot be his.