I am officially retired. However, I have a part time job as a caregiver, and I spend the rest of my time writing. If I made enough money writing I would drop the care -giving. I have had many different jobs during my working life. DSHS was the longest. I have also done nursing and laboratory work as well as fundraising in the non-profit sector.
How long have you been writing and how did you get to this point in your career?
I have been writing for thirty or more years, but I did not submit anything, and it was a long time before I dared to show my writing to anyone. When I was working full time, there never seemed to be anytime. Now that I am retired I am a lot more focused, but I still feel that I lack time. I felt less and less inspired to submit my novel to a publisher as time passed. I had read a lot of the horror stories about the publishing industry. Then I read about JA Konrath on Kindle, and my ex husband died on St Patrick’s Day. Those two things were a call to action, and I spent every spare minute editing my novel, Cries in the Dark. I put it on Kindle on June 24th, 2010.
Tell me what inspired you to write this particular novel.
For many years I have wanted to write a novel that might encourage people to protect animals. I had some experience working in a lab that used rats. I was not happy when they ate their own feet from pain. I was very interested in signing chimps, and even went to see some. I know several people who claim to be able to talk to animals. I enjoy murder and crime stories so I put it all together to make a novel.
I have a keen interest in dark fiction. Tell me how you would classify this book and tell me what’s dark about it?
From people’s reactions I think that people do not mind reading about human’s being cut up or tortured because they don’t think it is real, but several people stated that animal research is very controversial. My challenge in this novel has been to understate the torments animals go through while trying to retain the interest of the reader. Talking about laboratory animals is very dark, and although I have presented it as fiction we all know it happens everyday. I have also introduced more than six dead humans into the book to try and keep everyone guessing.
Do you think it might be possible to end animal research in our lifetime?
Yes I do think it will be possible. I also think it is very necessary. The physiology of all animals even the chimpanzee is very different from ours. Animal experiments do not work. A lot of money is wasted on animal research that would achieve better results if it were funneled into experiments using computer data and/or clinical trials.
Sometimes we have to be ruthless in writing/editing. We cut scenes, eliminate characters or even kill them off. Tell me what was the hardest of these in this book.
I killed off a very popular character in a very gruesome way.
This blog is called Random Musings, so give me a random quote from the book – something you’re particularly fond of.
Though anaesthetized, her body jerked, as her arms struggled upwards as if trying to grab some air. Then she was gone. Feeling for the pulse, he found none. One less whore to pollute the earth, he thought.
What can we expect from you next?
I would like to write another novel dealing with a different animal issue. There is no lack of animal problems to write about, and creatures cannot speak for themselves.
Where can we find you on the Internet?
At the minute I’m on Facebook and Twitter. I do intend to start a blog and website in the near future.
Any final comments or thoughts?
Although I’m retired, I intend to write so long as I continue to be in good health. I just ordered a pedometer so that I can monitor my daily exercise.
I’m really impressed by your inspiration and focus on the plight of animals. I’m sure it comes across well in your book. Best of luck with Cries in the Dark and all your future novels!
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