Interview with Joan Donaldson-Yarmey

Wow - is it our sixth interview already?  If you haven't read the previous interviews, I would strongly suggest you do so.  There are some interesting tidbits, story teasers, and some funny stories shared in them.

Now we are moving right along to Joan Donaldson-Yarmey.

How long does it take you (on average) to write a book?  

For my historical novels it usually takes me about a year to write a book because I do a lot of research ahead of time and while I am writing it I am constantly checking my facts.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?   

I try to write every day. Mostly I write in the morning but if things are going very well I will write all day.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?   

I like to think that I am in control of my characters but usually I’m not. I was working on one of my mystery novels and wasn’t sure who of two characters had done the murder. Near the end a third character stood up and admitted to having done it. Sometimes my characters will do or say something that makes me wonder what that came from and what was I going to do now.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?   

I hike, read, travel, think about writing, plan my next book.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?   That I have an imagination that goes in many different directions.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?   

I have written seven travel books, four mystery novels, three young adult novels, two sci/fi, one holiday romance/comedy and now this historical novel for this Canadian Brides series. My favourite book is the one that I am writing at the moment. Sometimes I can’t wait to get back to my writing and into that world again.

What genres do you like to read?    

My favourite genres are mystery novels and historical fiction and non-fiction.

If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?  

I have traveled through the Yukon twice. I hiked the Chilkoot Trail in 1997, the hundredth anniversary of the Klondike gold rush. I fell in love with Dawson City the first time I was there and renewed that love the second time after my hike. I feel that in a past life I may have been one of the thousands of men and women who headed to the gold fields of the Klondike Gold Rush. That is one time period I would visit if given the chance.

Wow indeed!  With a love of the Yukon it is no wonder that Joan snatched up that part of Canada for her Romancing the Klondike.

As always, comments can be left for Joan ... 

Interview with Katherine Pym

Alrighty, up next is Katherine Pym.  You have to check out her uncommon talent.

How long does it take you (on average) to write a book? 

The characters and their story hold my full attention approximately a full year. 

What is your work schedule like when you're writing? 

I write every day if I can, from the time I get up in the morning sometimes all the way into the deep night. 

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? 

I like to hold the reins of the characters, but sometimes, they say or do something that I don’t anticipate, although they remain in character. 

What does your family think of your writing? 

Strangely enough, most of my family won’t read my work because they say, ‘I still see Kathy, not the characters.’ My husband supports me in my research and he’ll beta read for me, which is very nice.  

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? 

I write under both Katherine Pym (historical fiction) and Eleanor Stem (strange and unearthly stuff). Between the two of us I’ve written 9 novels. The Canadian Brides series, Pillars of Avalon, will be my 10th. 

Under Katherine, I’m very proud of Erasmus T Muddiman. While writing this one, I found some very apropos research material that I used. Under Eleanor, Miri’s Song came as a big surprise. I had never anticipated writing this one. One night after dinner, I felt compelled to put pen to paper, and this is the result. 

What do you think makes a good story?

Human interest stories where the reader can easily relate. That’s why I like to use the weather, how they feel walking down a lane, what they smell, how something feels in their hands. 

Who is your favorite author?

Conrad Richter

Open your most recent story to page 12 and tell us the fifth complete sentence on the page. 

Toward the poop deck David saw a man fitted in silk and ribbons who fought like a cornered animal.

What genres do you like to read?

Historical fiction, which includes time travel, but I’ve been ruined. So many authors’ history is not correct or it’s out of sync. 

Do you have any hidden or uncommon talents? If so, what are they?

Simultaneously, I can write with my left and right hands, backward with my left and forward with my right. 

What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?

How much I like it, need it to fulfill who I am as a being. 

If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?

I’d go back to 17th century London, primarily the decade of the 1660’s where so much happened in an amazing short time. It was filthy there, though. I’d have to be able to come back to the current time to shower and use the loo. 

Score another one for the visit to 17-18 century England.  

Do you have any pressing questions for Katherine?  If so ... leave them in the comments below.

Cover Reveal: On A Stormy Primeval Shore

It's been a BUSY month for the Canadian Historical Brides series.  In addition to the pre-release of Brides of Banff Springs, we have two new covers.  

This time the cover is for Diane Scott Lewis and Nancy M Bell's On A Stormy Primeval Shore.

Cover Reveal: Barkerville Beginnings

I am thrilled to unveil the cover for the upcoming BARKERVILLE BEGINNINGS by A M Westerling.

Interview with Diane Scott Lewis

Whew, we are rolling right along through the month of December.  Can you believe it is already the 10th?  Time sure does fly!

Despite being super busy with writing and the upcoming holidays, Diane Scott Lewis is with us today to answer some of my challenging questions.

If you have a questions for her that she doesn't answer here, simply leave it in the comments field.  

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

When I was five. I illustrated my story and told my mother what to write (since I hadn’t yet learned how to write). I wrote my first full-length novel at age ten, a novel of ancient Egypt and Rome. The movie Cleopatra might have had an influence on me. I’ve written poems, short-stories and novels ever since. I wrote my first serious novel in the 90’s, set in Cornwall, England during the French Revolution.

How long does it take you (on average) to write a book?

The first book took me over ten years. I’d forgotten everything I learned in high school about grammar and structure, and had to re-teach those skills to myself to enhance the book. My friends call me the Grammar Witch. I used to write huge, epics. Now I keep my novels at reasonable lengths, under a hundred thousand words. Since I do so much research, as I mainly write historicals, it usually takes me at least a year to finish a novel. I’ve also been fortunate enough to travel to the places I write about: England and France.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

My characters always hijack my stories. I’m a ‘pantser’, in that I write by ‘the seat of my pants’ with only a vague outline in mind. I envy people that can outline and stick to it. As my story grows, I come to know the characters better, as they insist on, and I go back to the beginning and make changes to suit their personalities and desires.

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Since I write historical novels, I spend time reading research books and scouring the internet for information. In the old days, pre-internet ‘gasp’, I visited The Library of Congress and their vast collection to access research books. I was in writer’s nirvana there. I was able to read one book that was published in 1817, the very year I was writing in on one book. I also read for pleasure, love to travel, design with graphics, and play with my beautiful granddaughters. Oh, and I stick now-retired-hubby in there, somewhere, lol.

What is a favorite childhood memory you can share with us?

Is age thirteen still considered a child? Yesterday I spoke to an old friend via phone and I remembered when we were both thirteen, she lived across the street from me. On summer nights we’d lie on the still-warm pavement and stare up at the sky, at the stars, and talk about the likeliness of life on other planets, and other matters important to girls who are barely teenagers. The cars coming up the street weren’t happy having to drive around us. You’re fearless at thirteen! What a great friendship.

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

I love Branek Pentreath, my brooding hero from The Apothecary’s Widow. He’s cynical, blunt, with a dry sense of humor, but he’s also honest and caring. He had a terrible marriage and thought he’d never find love…however, when he does it’s with a most unsuitable woman. I enjoyed writing his character arc, his struggles with a murder suspicion hanging over his head, his trials to keep his estate solvent and his growing affection for the apothecary’s widow.

If you could go anywhere, be anyone, do anything for 24 hours, what would it be?

I’d like to go back to the eighteenth century in England. Then I could experience all that my characters experience in their everyday lives. I like to make my stories as authentic as possible. However, I’d be grateful for the 24 hours. With the sanitary conditions—or lack thereof—in that era, I would soon insist on modern times. The women wore no underwear, a fact that flabbergasted me. I’d also never fit into those ‘stays’ (corsets).

I tell you, these historical authors and their going back to the past.  :) Diane did bring up a wonderful point though, thankfully it would only be for 24 hours.  No indoor plumbing?  Back before washing hands before surgery?  No idea of the germ theory if disease? No thank you.  It might be nice for 24 hours though, to see some of the wonderful things we can only read about in history books.

Excerpt from the Brides of Banff Springs

BRIDES OF BANFF SPRINGS

Victoria Chatham

Monday, May 27th, 1935. It should be spring yet snow still dusted the mountain framed in the railway station’s open doorway. The pine-scented breeze wafted across the woman’s cheek and tugged a curl of hair from beneath her hat. Going through that doorway meant stepping into a new life. The possibilities intrigued and frightened her in equal measure.

She hesitated, dragging her feet a little as she exited the railway station. Now she was here, all the excitement and pride of being accepted for a position at the Banff Springs Hotel evaporated. Despite the late May sunshine, chills rippled through her. Why had she allowed herself to be persuaded to leave? Couldn’t she have found work in Medicine Hat or Calgary? There were hotels in both cities. But no, here she was, stranded miles from anywhere, still able to hear the fading rattle and clack of wheels on the rails as the train sped on to its next stop.

All she knew, all she had ever known, lay in a quarter section of farmland in southeastern Alberta, one hundred and sixty acres in sight of the Cypress Hills. Now the farm, seared by years of drought and the ensuing debt from one crop failure after another was, like her parents, gone, leaving her to provide for herself as best she could.

Her vision blurred momentarily. In the recesses of her mind she heard her mother's disapproving admonishments and her father’s slightly softer, “Now, now, Tilly, tears don’t solve problems.” She blinked quickly to dispel them and squared her shoulders.

That’s enough of that Matilda Margaret McCormack, she admonished herself.

There was nobody come to meet or greet her, nor had she expected there to be, but that fact brought a sudden lump to her throat. The weight of being alone in a strange place bore her down. She swallowed hard and took a couple of deep breaths to reorient herself.

The chug of a motor followed by the blare of its horn drew her over the doorstep and onto the boardwalk. She was too late. Her hesitation had cost her a seat on the last automobile that might have taken her to the hotel. It chugged out of the station yard, its horn blaring and she watched with dismay as it gathered speed and disappeared from view.

The hopeful butterflies that had assailed her stomach when she got on the train in Medicine Hat were now jangling nerves. How could she have ever thought making this move was a good idea? If someone walked up to her right now and gave her a ticket, she would leave on the next train and go home.

Except there is no home, she reminded herself. There is no family, nor anyone who would be happy to see her again.

She stood on the boardwalk and stifled the sigh that built up in her. Well, she was here now and would just have to make the most of it.  The only form of transport that remained in the yard was a wagon being loaded by a young man. The ease with which he lifted and stowed boxes and trunks in its bed indicated a muscular frame beneath his open-necked shirt. From the style of his hat and his worn, dusty boots, Tilly thought he might be a cowboy. He was no stranger to manual labor that was for sure. As if he felt her gaze on him, he looked over his shoulder and flashed a grin.

“Are you going to the Banff Springs Hotel?” he called.

Tilly walked towards him. “Yes. Do you know how far it is?”

“It’s about a twenty minute ride but far enough that it would be a good walk. I'm headed there myself and can take you if you like.” He heaved a trunk into the back of the wagon then turned to her, holding out his hand. “The name's Ryan, Ryan Blake.”

She liked his friendly grin and twinkling brown eyes and took his hand in her own. He had a warm, firm grip. “Tilly McCormack, and thank you. A ride would be much appreciated.”

“Hop up then.” Ryan indicated the driver's seat. “I've only a few more boxes to load. Is this your first time in Banff?”

“First time anywhere.” Tilly tossed her suitcase into the wagon and clambered up by way of the wheel.

Ryan, having finished stowing the last trunk, climbed up beside her. “Where have you come from?”

“Medicine Hat.” Tilly tilted her head a little so that she could see Ryan from the corner of her eye. The brim of his hat shaded the upper part of his face, but she could see the wedge of auburn sideburn inching down his cheek and sprouting into day-old fuzz across the line of his jaw.

“I hear it’s been a tough time for ranchers and farmers around the Hat and across the prairies.”

“Very tough,” Tilly lapsed into silence as Ryan picked up the reins and slapped them on the rump of the patient old bay horse in the traces. Small puffs of dust rose up from the horse's hide in protest at this treatment.

Ryan guided the horse out of the station yard, yet Tilly sensed the animal knew its job well enough as it trotted along the route the automobile had taken. She glanced over her shoulder at the load of expensive looking trunks and valises in the wagon bed. Luggage labels declared they had visited London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Cairo, and Bombay. Places she had read about but could barely comprehend. Her own battered grip, a relic of her father's World War 1 service, fared poorly in comparison but she imagined it had its own stories to tell despite not bearing labels advertising its journeys.

Available for pre-order  Will be released December 31st

Interview with Anita Davison

Next up on the clopping block, errr, the witness stand, sorry - the interview chair is Anita Davison.

Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?

I’m far too uninteresting – which is why I write. My characters live the lives and do the things I haven’t – and all in a different time.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Growing up, I always found it easier to write how I felt than voice my thoughts to anyone. I was a different person on paper, a more thoughtful, considerate person. The letters of apology for bad behavior soon became stories, although I never aspired to be a writer, I wrote because it was a means of self-expression. It wasn’t until a friend read a few chapters of my first book that the idea was planted. Some years on, I summoned the courage to submit to an agent, and have several books to my name. Not a famous name but mine. 

How long does it take you (on average) to write a book?

About a year. I write historical fiction so the preparation time is spent mainly on social research, immersing myself in the era so I have some idea of what I am talking about before I begin the writing process. Every book I write is submitting to my critique group, who are brilliant at telling me whether or not my characters are credible or not.

What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

Chaotic. I try to set aside specific time in the day to write, but I have to be in the right frame of mind, and if not, complete rubbish comes through my fingers onto the keyboard which I end up deleting later. If I am in the wrong mood, I cannot get inside my main character’s head and turn into an unsympathetic listener and tell her to get a grip.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I have tried setting up a neat and tidy desk under a window with a calming view to create a productive working environment. Within half an hour I have graduated to my favourite squishy armchair, laptop open and a packet of Haribos at my side That and a cup of hot coffee and I am set for the day when time has no meaning.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I start off with a very clear idea of how my characters will react to certain situations. However when the writing begins they often don’t follow that path at all. Grace, my main character began as a rather shy late bloomer due to a restrictive childhood, but when she broke free of her controlling family, she developed a mind of her own and now I cannot control her! 

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

Writing is what I like to do most of all, but sometimes it’s relaxing to do something physical rather than cerebral – but not too physical – like baking! it’s therapeutic to produce something everyone enjoys without having to edit it four times.

What does your family think of your writing?

They are pretty ambivalent. About half of them have read my books, and then only one or maybe two, but I don’t get many comments. Maybe they don’t like them, as not everyone likes historical fiction, or maybe they think I’ll get big-headed if they complement me. I’ll settle for the second reason.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

The historical research fascinates me, and if I’m not careful I tend to get too enthusiastic and want to include everything. One of the things I didn’t realise about the early 20th Century, was that Edwardian women did not eat in public restaurants without a male escort. Partly because there was no such thing as public restrooms, which kept ladies at home for obvious reasons. 

In 1904, Simpsons of the Strand started to allow women into their upstairs dining room, but not the main one on the ground floor until 1984. 

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

Envy the Wind will be No 12, although one remains unpublished. Which indicates it needs more work!

What is your favorite holiday and why?

Not trying to suck up or anything here, but my son was on a student foreign exchange program and spent a year at university in Ottawa, and met us in Montreal for Christmas. We all drove up to Mont Tremblant and holidayed in a cabin by the lake near St Jovite. We went horse riding in the snow on Christmas Eve, Snowmobiling on Christmas Day and Dog sledding on Boxing Day. Plus getting up every morning to watch the sun rise over the frozen lake as we drank our morning coffee. It was the best holiday – ever.

Open your most recent story to page 12 and tell us the fifth complete sentence on the page.

He had neither sought her opinion on the matter, nor had she ventured one to a man who had never been challenged either in business or in his home. 

What genres do you like to read?

Historical Fiction and Cosy Mysteries are favourites, but I do move beyond those occasionally as I review for blogs. 

What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?

That just because your book is out there, you cannot sit back and expect it to sell without some sort of promotional campaign. I was also amazed to discover that Twitter actually works!

If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose? Why?

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern – I loved the imagery the author conveyed with the black and white tents with a touch of red, each of which contained a degree of magic. The idea the circus existed for its own sake without apology or explanation and kept all its secrets.

What would the main character in your most recent book have to say about you?

Why does she keep putting me into situations where I need rescuing – it makes me look feeble and unintelligent. I’m not really as impulsive as she makes me look, I simply refuse to let people get away with murder and when the police won’t listen I have no choice but to show them myself.

Is there anything in your closet that your fans would be surprised by?

I was told to keep this interview PG so I ain’t saying!

If you had to write yourself as a heroine, what kind of heroine would you be? What would you be named?

I’d be a Marvel Comics superhero with exceptional powers. A telepath maybe so none of the villains could fool me and I would know everything about them in the first five minutes.

If you had to write yourself as a villain, what kind of villain would you be? What would you be named?

I don’t do villainy very well. I’m too empathetic with the victims so I dilute their suffering – I would order my henchman to issue punishment and after the first scream, say. ‘Oh, sorry, did that hurt. I didn’t mean it.’

If you could travel through time to visit a special time period or famous person, what or who would it be and why?

Edwardian London to absorb the atmosphere of all the places I describe in my books. I know what they looked like from photographs and old film reels, but to absorb the atmosphere of the city, the poor areas and the wealthy ones would bring an extra dimension to my stories. 

Well there you have it folks, the non-villain Anita Davison (which is good for us - writers can be downright diabolical so it's always best when they are on the side of good).  

Do you have any questions for our interviewee?  Leave them in the comments sections and she will get back to you.