What is one lesser-known fact about your childhood?
I bought my own horse when I was 13 and had to support him myself. I babysat, cleaned houses, and walked polo ponies between chukkas (the play period.) I loved that horse, and I was so busy taking care of him, I never had time to get in trouble!
Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?
My grandkids!!! They always tell me how much they love my books. That keeps me going.
How would you describe your experience as a former teacher?
I loved teaching teens and pre-teens. I enjoyed the depth I could get into with my high school students, but I loved the energy of the younger teens in Junior High. I also learned that a good teacher is kind of like being on stage and entertaining an audience!
Why do you mostly write about horses or horse-fantasy creatures?
I have been a horse-lover since birth…I call it “being born with manure in my blood!” I started taking riding lessons when I was eight. When I wasn’t on a horse, I was reading both fiction and non-fiction books about them. Thus, I developed a love of reading as well. Fantasy has always been a favorite genre of mine so combining fantasy and horses seemed like the perfect fit. I have expanded my horse stories into “coming of age” and “historical fiction” to challenge myself.
What developed your love for horses?
As I mention, I was born loving horses. Owning my own horse and sacrificing to take care of it served only to deepen my love. Your love increases as you serve and sacrifice.
What inspired your first original story? Did you share the tale with anyone?
My first book was a non-fiction book titled: “Riding Colorado.” It is an equestrian trail guidebook and is the first of a now, four-book series about trails to ride in and around Colorado. I researched and wrote those books for the selfish reason that I wanted to find all the cool trails to ride. I had 5 other horse friends testing the trails with me, so, yes, I shared the experience with them.
As we would drive to the trailheads, I would tell them the fiction story I was creating that became “Behind the Mist-Book One of the Mist Trilogy.” It was fun to try it out on them.
What is the significance of the title of your book, In the Heart of a Mustang?
For several years, I worked for PATH, Intl, The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. There, I witnessed the healing power of horses not only for disabled and handicapped people, (I write about that in “PERCY-The Racehorse Who Didn’t Like to Run,”) but I was also touched by the affect horses have on troubled teens. I coupled that with my interest in the bands of wild mustangs running free in ten western states and came up with “In the Heart of a Mustang.” People who have adopted these wonderful horses love them so much.
What is the best compliment you have received for your book, Mr. Figgletoes& Toy Emporium?
I have received so many wonderful reviews from readers. It is hard to pick the best. However, since I write so that children will love to read, I’ll share this one from Michael Beyer, a reading teacher.
“This is a totally charming children&s book. I guarantee you as a former Reading teacher, this book will not only engage young readers, but it will build reading skills like anticipating outcomes, inferring motivations, and drawing conclusions. It will also do a wonderful job of building reading vocabulary in young readers. The author is definitely trying intentionally to introduce big words and complex ideas.
I have to say, at the outset, I thought this story was going to be rather dark and brutally punish bad kids in the way Roald Dahl does in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. But the final outcome is much more satisfying than the one in that book.
This story is obviously written with skill, care, and a deep love for the young reader. I highly recommend this sweet little story.”
How much did you research about the longest Horseback ride in history while writing your book, PINTO!?
“PINTO!” took me two and a half years to research and many miles of travel. I started doing research on the internet. I found a little…just enough to pique my curiosity. I traveled to Oklahoma City to visit the National Western and Cowboy Museum. The research librarian didn’t even know they had a collection of material. But, after searching in their basement, they found a box of original photographs and a few articles from the time. I went up to Bainbridge Island, Washington to their little historical museum and was greeted like royalty. They were so excited that I was going to write about their hometown heroes. They have a permanent exhibit of the Overland Westerners and an driftwood sculpture of Pinto. In their collection are all the original journals still in existence that two of the men kept. I was able to take home a flash drive with the transcriptions of the journals. I read every word and highlighted the events that Pinto could tell about. It was so much fun!
Which book took the longest to write in The Mist Trilogy?
“Behind the Mist” took me the longest because it was the first and I was just getting used to writing fiction rather than the non-fiction books I had been writing. The other two were easier because I had developed both the world and the characters in the first book. I used a publisher for those books and the editor that I had for “Behind the Mist” was really helpful.
Who inspired the character of the sixteen-year-old Duende girl named Carling?
My son lived for two years in Mexico serving a mission. So, I decided I wanted to feature a fantasy creature with a Spanish background. He suggested the Duende…a little fairy-like creature. Few people have heard of them and I don’t know of any fantasy books that included them. So, I decided that would be fun to combine them with the well-known centaurs…my horse-based creature that I love.
Which was the first literary award you were honored with?
My first literary award was the “MOM’s CHOICE” Gold Medal. My publisher had submitted it without my knowledge so you can imagine how surprised and delighted I was to receive the news. That is an excellent organization that evaluated children’s media based upon strong family values.
Who was the first reader that reached out to you? What did they say and how did you respond?
I get many letters from readers and I love them all. I also take the time to respond to each one. The first one I received was from a boy who lives in Oregon. He was ten year’s old at the time and he told me how much he loved “The Mist Trilogy” and said that he was my “NUMBER ONE FAN.” I thought that was so cute! I actually had the chance to meet him on a trip to Oregon a year later.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
I am currently working on another horse-based historical fiction. It will be titled “Sand Pounder.” It is about a girl in Oregon during WW2 who wants to join the all-male coast guard mounted beach patrol. I am a few chapters into it. Again, the research is so fun.
How has been your experience of working with AllAuthor?
AllAuthor has been an amazing support for me as an author. They are providing me with so many marketing materials to use on twitter or facebook or other social media. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!
