Loretta Interview Published on: 04, Apr 2024

I grew up in an era where children were to be seen and not heard. However, in my family, it was safer to not be seen or heard. Books became my safe place; a place where I could have adventures. The characters, whether human or animal became my best friends. I could share secrets and ideas with them. I could even have imaginary conversations with them. I think this experience is what inspired me to become a writer.

My love of travel came from books. I wanted to visit the places that my favorite authors had described in their stories. My favorite travel experience was the twenty-one days I spent in lower Niedersachsen Germany. As part of a teaching team sent to study the German educational system, I was mesmerized by the landscape, the small villages, the bicycle trips to the markets, the castles, and the people. My second favorite place was Scotland—the land of my ancestors.

I, my siblings, and cousins, grew up with the story that our great grandmother was kidnapped by Native American warriors. Unfortunately, as children, none of us thought to ask the all-important where, when and why questions. When I was recuperating from spinal surgery, to ward off boredom, I began my journey into genealogy. I was most surprised to discover that my family line dates back to the Viking days in Norway, Finland, and Sweden. And yes, there is Native American bloodlines on both maternal and paternal sides of the family.

My most favorite DIY shows are: Home Town, Maine Cabin Masters, Bargain Block, and Fixer to Fabulous. I’ve done a few minor projects, but nothing compared to these shows. I am, however, inspired to perhaps write a cozy mystery series that involves DIYing.

Horses and dogs don’t care how you look, and when they love you, it’s unconditional. My mare and I participated in two twenty-five-mile endurance trials. We didn’t even place in the first event, mainly because my sense of direction is non-existent (yes, I get lost easily). Our second event, I’m pleased that we placed second. I had a beloved Labrador Retriever. Every Sunday morning the neighbors knew to come to my house to get their newspapers because my Lab would collect the papers and deliver them to my front porch. No one got mad. It became a running neighborhood joke.

I enjoy writing at night, especially after hubby goes to bed. The house is quiet, and it’s just me and the voices inside my head. The same goes for reading. I enjoy reading when the house is completely quiet.

I labored over a tagline mostly because I was told by veteran authors that a tagline was my brand. Every idea I came up with sounded trite. Then, at a book signing and a person said she liked my books because of the unique and unexpected twists in the stories. That statement was the lightbulb moment that gave birth to my tagline.

When I was growing up authors like Louie L’Amour, Zane Grey, and William Johnstone dominated the western genre. Then with television and the big screen, I grew up with western cowboy greats such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Rocky Lane, Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne. Being a horse lover and reading western novels, I naturally gravitated toward that genre in my writing. The drug cartels come from my early career as a rape crisis-suicide prevention counselor, working as an advocate for indigent women, and then as a teacher. Often characters in my books have been inspired by people I’ve encountered.

Oh, goodness, who do I pick? However, to pick one, it would have to be Dr. Tullah Holliday, the veterinarian in my Doc Holliday Mystery Series. I never meant for her to be an empathic person. My first instinct was to either revise her character or abandon the series. I feared readers wouldn’t like her or think she was too kitschy. Tullah wanted her story told. I would go to bed and she’d be inside my head. When I was writing, it was if she controlled what ended up on paper. I’ve had readers ask me how I make the dialogue sound so real. I smile and tell them, the character is whispering in my ear.

After being diagnosed with a rare heart disorder, doctors told me I needed to retire and seek a quieter less active lifestyle. As far as perspective, I’ve come to appreciate being ‘quiet’, sitting in my office and watching the birds and squirrels; sleeping late, and writing in my pajamas. I’ve become more at ease with life. As far as my writing, I’ve learned to be more patience with myself, to stop worrying about deadlines and word counts. I’ve also learned that getting a negative review isn’t the end of the world.

I haven’t created a character with a fear of heights, but snakes very often show up in my stories. In fact, in the Doc Holliday Mystery Series, book #5, “8 Seconds to Die,” there is a scary snake scene. Other of my novels where snakes are involved are “Cloud Woman’s Spirit,” and “Shadowed Reunion.” Readers might be interested to know that I survived a rattlesnake bite. It was a frightening experience.

What I enjoy most about being a writer is that I get to vicariously live the adventures, the emotional ups and downs, that my characters experience. I loved riding horses, rounding up cattle, fording streams, and the connection I had with my horses. Although, words and descriptions will never replace those feelings of freedom, I try to focus on the activities I can no longer do, to bring them to life on paper for readers to (hopefully) experience.

I never thought I’d be drawn to writing mysteries or paranormal, much less combining the two genres, and then mixing in cultural spiritualism. In “Shadow Reunion,” I had to research South American tribal customs and beliefs, then along came the Native American spiritism. I enjoy research and have to be careful not to use it as a source of procrastination.

Anyone who knows me, knows I don’t have much of a funny bone. However, in my new mystery series, I’m hoping to infuse some comedic moments. For research, I’ll read a bunch of comedy novels to see how those authors handle writing humor.

Social media is certainly important for promoting myself and my books. With my publisher’s consent, I offer books at sale prices; I answer every email regardless of whether the writer is complimentary or negative. I belong to a writer’s group—we showcase our books and/or new releases on the group blog. We also share our books on each other’s personal FB pages. I listen to readers. For example, readers were very concerned that Tullah (Doc Holliday Mystery Series) didn’t have a love interest. While the major theme is mystery, in book #5, “8 Seconds to Die,” I introduced a possible love interest, then in the last book, #6 (which I just sent to my editor), I allowed the love to blossom. I think readers will be happy. Some reader comments I ignore because I don’t find them relevant.

I truly enjoy the mockup banners. Thank you for such a vast selection. I love it when readers ask where the picture was taken. Some people have asked if that is me in the picture (I wish. LOL!) Also, I appreciate the ease in saving the banners. I’ve only participated in the cover contest once. As an introvert, it’s difficult for me to ask people to vote for my book cover.