Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: I wanted to be a writer as a child, but I didn’t pursue it until I was in my forties. As a child I was told that being a writer was a pipe dream, and I believed it. As an adult, I was told to get my head out of the clouds and “get a real job.” But I’m not complaining. Facing that attitude is a common experience for writers, and a useful one. It is not easy to be a writer, and making a decent living at it is darn near impossible. So dealing with some early discouragement was good training for when those rejection slips started rolling in. If I could say one thing to anyone who wants to write, it would be just do it and don’t give up. Never give up.
Q: How long does it take you to write a book?
A: Two to three years, but I’m getting faster. Having to write my new book on a deadline was interesting in the way having a nervous breakdown is interesting. I never realized I could be that stressed out and still be productive.
Q: What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
A: When I’m immersed in a book, it is all consuming. I dream about it and when I wake up, I go directly from my bedroom to my studio, snagging a cup of coffee on the way, and I work until I’m limp. I try to take a walk in nice weather, but I carry a tape recorder in case anything brilliant strikes. I also keep a tape recorder in the car. I learned quickly that a notebook is not a good idea when driving. I forget to eat and sometimes I forget whether I’ve eaten. This is not a healthy way to work, and I don’t encourage it, but when I’m on a roll I don’t seem to be able to do anything but write.
Q: What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
A: I like to write the life stories of my characters, even though that information will not appear in the book. Sometimes I even draw a picture of them. In this way the character comes to life and I know what he or she will do in a given situation. I’ll know how they’ll dress and talk and eat, and what they believe. I’ll know their quirks, their pet peeves, their issues and how they handle them. I’ll know what their favorite color is, and what they like to read, and what kind of music they listen to. I believe that knowing all this is what goes into creating a well-rounded character that becomes real for the reader.
Q: How do books get published?
A: Beats me. Publishing is an extremely volatile and unpredictable business. Publishers want a book that will fit into a particular niche, but they also want it to be different. They want it to be commercial, but knowing what is commercially viable at any given moment is almost pure guesswork. I would say that the best thing a writer can do is learn the craft and find your voice. Write and read and study and write some more. If you put in the time and effort and keep sending your work out there you will probably eventually get noticed. Again, don’t quit.
Q: Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
A: From life, from my personal beliefs, quests, experiences, and interests. I observe human behavior and try not to miss too much. I put lots of different things together and stir them up until I have something. As a historical novelist I also do a lot of research. Thanks to the Internet that has become much easier. I remember going to the library with shopping bag; I could only research as much as I could carry. I love Google.
Q: When did you write your first book and how old were you?
