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Interview With the Author
Why have you chosen to write romance stories, rather
than any other genre? Any special reason?
I didn't set out to write romance stories. I simply followed
the advice of a creative writing instructor whose class
I audited when we lived in Las Vegas. A good plot is the
natural outgrowth of the characters and their interaction.
And my characters just seem to be at the point where they're
discovering that they're not as strong and self-sufficient
as they think are – then WHAM! Someone walks into their
lives.
For that matter, do you write in any other genre?
Actually I dabble most often in what's called dark fantasy
and science fiction, but always with strong romantic overtones.
Fortunately for me, genres are more forgiving than when
I began writing back in 1983. The first story I ever turned
out was a science fiction romantic suspense. Needless to
say, I never did find the right place to sell it.
Do you see writing – or reading – romances
as escapist? Getting away from day to day problems? Or do
you believe this is the way life can be?
Of course it's escapist! If I want reality, I'll tune in
to CNN. Writers create little self-contained universes,
where they determine the outcome and populate them with
characters of their own devising. And the loose ends are
usually tied up in four hundred pages or less. Real life
isn't that predictable or controllable, nor does it necessarily
have a happy ending. But I do believe in love, committed
love that transcends change, trouble, disappointment, and
old age. And I have over thirty years of experience with
the same man to prove it.
Most romance authors – if their publicity photos
are to be believed – are in their late twenties or
early thirties, are very glamorous, and have serious hair.
You've chosen a rather more expressive photo – why?
Good Grief! True confessions time. First, the disclaimer
– I hate having my picture taken. So the ugly, awful
truth is that I selected this photo from a group of candids
taken by our office secretary, in part to avoid copyright
infringement, but also because I thought it came closest
to capturing the real me, casual and somewhat mischievous.
As far as the hair is concerned, that hairstyle is about
as serious as I get. And as for thirty, well, I'm at least
thirty. So I guess you could say that the photo is definitely
me - WYSIWYG.
I believe you are a Christian, is that right?
Not only am I Christian, I am a pastor's wife.
How does being a Christian inform the way you write?
I admit I try to incorporate what I believe into what I
write. Christianity is the religion of the second chance
(My husband intervened at this point to say "…and the third
chance, and the fourth chance…). So you will often find
themes of sacrifice, healing, redemption, and forgiveness
in my stories. And, as a pastor's wife, I am keenly aware
that people carry emotional and even physical scars from
their past. My characters reflect that kind of damage. But
as one of my most "tortured" heroes says, "Our scars shape
us, but they don't have to define us."
What kind of books do you like to read?
Actually I prefer the classic romances like Jane Eyre, Pride
and Prejudice, Rebecca and Laura.
Apart from romance, that is.
My absolute favorite genre is mystery. I have gorged on
Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, Dorothy Sayers, and Dick
Francis to name a few. I also like John Grisham's work... us Mississippians need to stick together!
Are you a member of the Romance Writer's Association
(RWA)?
I've been member of the local chapter, the Magnolia State
Romance Writers Association, for the past several years.
What does being a member of a romance writers' chapter
do for you?
While I have attended several other writers' groups, I
found the MSRW to be a tremendous resource, providing a
forum to exchange ideas on plotting, style, and character
development. I also received information on possible markets
for my work. In fact, that's how I found out about the contest
at Talking Romance. Moreover, my fellow romance writers
have patiently endured my fretting, offering encouragement
and editing services while I struggled to give literary
birth.
Have you any advice for would-be writers?
Surround yourself with a good critique group. They keep
you going when you feel like smashing the delete key and
erasing everything. And read your work aloud. You'll be
surprised at the errors you'll catch.
Tell us about your family. Pets? Hobbies?
I have three children. My daughter (Sherry) recently relocated to Mississippi from North Carolina
with her husband (Ivan), two sons (Michael and Chris), and Furball, a mostly Chow.
They live about 10 minutes away from me. Sherry earned a degree in Computer Programming from Coastal Carolina Community College. Ivan is a retired North Carolina Police Chief. They are both employed at local automotive dealerships now. Michael is studying massage therapy in Indiana and Chris is in middle school.
My oldest son (Jason) and his wife (Lauren) live in Madison, Mississippi, which is about 20 minutes away. Jason graduated with a Business degree from Millsaps College and earned a two-year certifcate from Atlanta Bible College. He handles business development for his father-in-law's company and does graphic design on the side. Lauren earned her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Education from Mississippi College and now teaches 1st Grade at University Christian School. They don't have kids yet (hint, hint), but they do have a 3-year-old Black-and-Tan Coonhound named Lucy.
My baby (Mike) is
now a six foot tall blonde who graduated last year from Mississippi College with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. He recently started a customer service position at BankPlus, and currently lives with my husband and I.
All three of my children share a fascination
with computers, which is fortunate for me since I grew up
writing on stone tablets. My husband of thirty plus years
(Jan) is now retired, but he had a varied career as an Electrician, Corporate Trainer, and Sales Executive for a Fortune 100 company. His last served as a full-time associate pastor at a local church... so I try to behave!
A couple of years ago, we took in a stray beagle, whom we named Peanut. She is an absolute sweetheart, and is more than willing to share whatever tasty morsels of food you have for the taking! At various times, we have had a St. Bernard, a blue heeler,
a peke-a-poo, a pug, several hamsters, a couple of finches,
a parakeet, and several tanks of tropical fish.
I expanded the category of hobbies to include things I
just plain like to do, like long evening walks, visiting
museums, hot bubble baths, and relaxing in front of the
fireplace, sipping hot tea and reading a good mystery. I
also like to crochet, collect cookbooks and dolls, and of
course, write.
You tell me you're a "Yankee" in the Deep
South. How did that come about?
You could say we took the long way round to find our Deep
South Home. One day back in 1984, my husband decided to
go into sales, which moved us from snowy Rochester, NY to
sizzling Las Vegas, NV, on to the sunshine capitol, Phoenix,
AZ, to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque,
NM, then finally to the land of Southern hospitality, Jackson,
MS. And we've been here ever since.
What's your favorite music? Why?
I'm definitely eclectic when it comes to music. Depending
on my mood, I'm as comfortable with a Bach fugue or big
band sound as I am with the Atlanta Rhythm Section or Chicago.
However, in my college days, I did a stint as a DJ on the
college radio station, so I guess ultimately I have a soft
spot for the "oldies."
Who's your favorite author? Why?
I can't begin to choose who my "favorite" author is.
Like my choice in music, it all depends on my mood.
What's your star sign and do you think it matters?
Sorry, don't do signs so I guess I don't think it matters.
What achievement has meant most to you? Personal? Professional?
At the risk of sounding very old fashioned, I feel very
grateful that I have three terrific children and a loving
husband. And, not that I had any role in it, I also take
joy in a hard-working son-in-law, a lovely daughter-in-law
and two energetic grandsons. Professionally, I am thrilled
that someone, besides me and the friends who love me, saw
value in what I write and gave me the chance to be published.
The fact that the story is actually performed, rather than
simply printed, is an added delight.
What are your ambitions? Personal? Professional?
I would love to have one of my stories turned into a big
budget movie that makes megabucks so that I could give up
my "day job" and just write. I want the body back I had
at twenty!
Actually, if I had enough money, however much that might
be, I know some very talented people and I would love to
help them realize their dreams.
What will you never regret doing?
Going back to writing after a dry spell of almost ten years.
Guess I'm a slow learner.
What do you most regret?
I'm practicing not regretting. Instead, I prefer to look
at my life as a jigsaw puzzle where every event, every "piece"
ultimately fits; I just don't always know how.
Who would you most like to meet? Why? And the next most?
As you pointed out, I am a Christian, so I would very much
like to meet Peter the apostle. He was always putting his
foot in his mouth. I identify with him. Jesus loved him
anyway. It gives me hope.
Next, I would like to meet the people who have invested
in me and given life to my characters, my friends at Talking
Romance. So far we've only communicate via email, but they
seem delightful and I would very much like to make their
acquaintance in person.
Thank you for your time.
Thank you.
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