Today I have author Lyn Cote as my guest. I enjoy reading books set in Texas, so when I had the chance to ask Lyn about her book, and about her writing, of course I jumped at the chance. Here's my chat with Lyn:
Lyn, thank you for being my guest today. I always enjoy hearing other authors talk about their books, where they get their inspiration and ideas, and how they write. I also like to learn about what authors do besides sit at the keyboard and craft their stories.
As an author, I’m often asked how I balance writing and life. How do you manage your writing schedule and other commitments?
This has changed over the years. When I had children at home, I think I did a better job of balancing my life. Over the past five years of the empty nest, I think I have chained myself to my laptop. I am exploring ideas about how to get out more and interact with the community. Since we also moved five years ago, I had that challenge of finding friends and activities. My dh has done a better job at this. He volunteers at the local Food Pantry several times a month, joined a weekly early morning men's bible study and has a twice monthly breakfast group. I really have to get going. I've been thinking I would volunteer at the church nursery, but I need to get going! Thanks for the nudge, Lynette.
I know what you mean, Lyn! It seems that whatever "extra" time we have can easily be taken up by something. And it's easy to get chained to the computer.
As an author, I’m often asked how I balance writing and life. How do you manage your writing schedule and other commitments?
This has changed over the years. When I had children at home, I think I did a better job of balancing my life. Over the past five years of the empty nest, I think I have chained myself to my laptop. I am exploring ideas about how to get out more and interact with the community. Since we also moved five years ago, I had that challenge of finding friends and activities. My dh has done a better job at this. He volunteers at the local Food Pantry several times a month, joined a weekly early morning men's bible study and has a twice monthly breakfast group. I really have to get going. I've been thinking I would volunteer at the church nursery, but I need to get going! Thanks for the nudge, Lynette.
I know what you mean, Lyn! It seems that whatever "extra" time we have can easily be taken up by something. And it's easy to get chained to the computer.
Do you have any humorous stories where your writing intruded into your “real life.”
I don't know if this counts. But once when I was in a hurry to mail off a manuscript, I backed out of my garage and managed to get the Rubbermaid garbage can stuck on one of my rear wheels like a big dark green sock. And worse, I'd managed to get into the street and then couldn't move forward or backward. I got out IN THE RAIN and discovered there was no way I could get the thing off by myself.
And while I'm doing this, cars from both directions are lining up. I'm blocking the street. A woman in the first car—a slim blonde who looked like she'd just come from the beauty salon—got out. With a spade hooked into the garbage cart, she pulled while I drove forward and we got me unhooked. I wish I could figure out a way to include this in a story, but so far no. And the editor would probably tell me it was not believable.
That's too funny, and a case where truth CAN be stranger than fiction.
Texas is a popular setting with many readers. What provided the inspiration for Her Inheritance Forever, and the Texas Star of Destiny Series?
I had never done much research into early Texas history. I read about Stephen Austin’s deal with the last Spanish governor of Texas and was intrigued by the three demands made of the Anglos entering Texas: No slaves, Convert to Roman Catholicism, and swear allegiance to Spain. I was intrigued because in my experience of Americans of that period were unlikely to follow any of those! And that means conflict and every good story thrives on conflict. Also the collision of many different tribes and nations all in one area—Spaniards, Mexicans, Tejanos, Comanche and other tribes and Americans and later new immigrants from Germany makes for an interesting cast of characters.
In 1836 Texas, Alandra Sandoval is the lady of Rancho Sandoval, determined to prove to a doubting world that a woman alone can run a ranch as well as any man. But when Comanches attack her ranch and kidnap her, Alandra must admit she needs protection. A top hand at a nearby ranch, Scully Falconer, is chosen for the task and though Alandra tries to pretend she doesn't need his help, he quietly stays by her side.
Though they believe their paths to be worlds apart, the rugged American cowboy with a troubled past and the proud lady of Mexican descent are united when Alandra's greedy relatives burst into their lives. And when General Santa Anna's army crosses the Rio Grande—marching toward a rendezvous with destiny at the Alamo—Alandra and Scully are swept up together in the tide of history...and their world will never be the same.
Though they believe their paths to be worlds apart, the rugged American cowboy with a troubled past and the proud lady of Mexican descent are united when Alandra's greedy relatives burst into their lives. And when General Santa Anna's army crosses the Rio Grande—marching toward a rendezvous with destiny at the Alamo—Alandra and Scully are swept up together in the tide of history...and their world will never be the same.
To learn more about Lyn Cote and her books, check here. Also, Lyn features authors on her blog Strong Women, Brave Stories. Check it out! You'll be inspired, hear about good books, and pick up a recipe or two.
Thanks for stopping by, Lyn.
