A Writer's Life

I started reading as a very young child. I wore out entire sets of Chronicals of Narnia, Little House on the Prairy, and The lovely stories about the red head girl in PEI, Anne of Green Gables.

Christmas eve for me is not perfect unless the last hours are spent curled up on the couch, sipping egg nog, munching on Christmas cookies and watching Alaster Sim's A Christmas Carol. Those author brought to live a vivid imagination, and the reality that the most heartfelt stories are not created in distant worlds, or fantastic plots.

History has always been a favorite subject of mine. I was weaned on stories of Ireland and Scotland bogles, banshees, and other things that go bump in the night. I am also fascinated by intrigue, no matter where I find it.

I love finding s moment in history where the world changed, and place my characters in the story. It takes some licence, but I try to be very accurate. My research often follows similar routes as other authors, watching documentaries, visiting locations, but I love to visit Scottish festivals. I've learned the secret behind the plaid's waterproof tightness, although it is too indiscret to mention in a book. I have contacted breeders of ancient horses like the Neapolitan and Jennet, the foundation stock for the dresteriers and today's Lipizzaners. I have talked to greyhound breeders, and spent lovely afternoons with wolfhounds.

I do not use historical fact to fill the novel with accurate information. I think that detracts from the story. However, each fact is a different colored thread, and they allow me to weave a tapestry that I hope will be unusual enough to make the book difficult to put down, while still maintaining the genre promises, "I write for my readers."