 Today, we have a treat for you. I have lured Colleen Hall away from her horses and her writing long enough to answer a few questions about herself and her stories. I think they're going to intrigue you as much as they do me. Be sure to read all the way to the end for a special note from Colleen about how to get her books right now. You started writing at an early age even though life interrupted your author goals. When you were laid up after surgery, you could've put your interest and attention anywhere--what led you to pick up your old writings again? I found out that my niece had written a novel and was hoping to publish it. She planned to self-publish rather than go the traditional route, but her accomplishment started me thinking. If she could write a novel, why couldn’t I? That was the spark reignited my love of writing that had lain dormant for many years. So, while I was out of work recovering from surgery, I pulled out the manuscript that became Her Traitor’s Heart and started editing it. And the rest is, as they say, history. What leads you to write historical fiction? I grew up in New England around a lot of old things—200-year-old houses, antique furniture, history—so I guess I absorbed a lot of that into my psyche. I’m interested in history and historical stories, and my plots usually include some historical incident. w up in New England around a lot of old things—200-year-old houses, antique furniture, history—so I guess I absorbed a lot of that into my psyche. I’m interested in history and historical stories, and my plots usually include some historical incident. Do you have a favorite era in history to write about and why? I love the Civil War era and most things Victorian, although when I wrote Valiant Heart, I got interested in World War l. Those first fighter pilots fascinated me. Before WW I, aerial warfare didn’t exist. There were no rules for engaging the enemy in the air. The life expectancy of a fighter pilot in the first world war was three weeks. The bravery of those first men who took the war to the skies and wrote the book on aerial warfare fascinated me. What is something interesting you've discovered when researching one of your books? One interesting fact I learned while researching Wounded Heart was that some women who had been captured by Native American tribes and had married men from those tribes sometimes returned to their Indian husbands after being rescued. At that time, the attitude of white society toward women who had been captured and then rescued was brutally judgmental. In the eyes of white society, a woman should kill herself before submitting to an “Indian savage.” Any woman who didn’t commit suicide was considered to be no better than a prostitute. Such an attitude made reassimilation into the white world difficult. Sometimes those women ran away from their white families and returned to their Native American husbands. What's up next for you? Can you give us any sneak peeks? Since my publisher has recently closed, my immediate next steps will be to decide whether I should try to find another publisher or to self-publish my backlisted books to get them on Amazon again. I have another book waiting to be released, so I must figure out what to do with that one, as well. And I’m six chapters into a new novel, which is a bit different from anything I’ve written before. I’m really excited about that one! You're from the North but have lived in the South for quite a while now. Do you gravitate in writing about one more than another? So far, I haven’t written any novels set in the North. Her Traitor’s Heart is set in South Carolina, but the rest of the books in my series are set in Colorado. The new Civil War book that I hope to release soon takes place in Virginia, since much of the action in the war took place there. My background of having grown up in the North yet also having lived in the South has given me a perspective for seeing both sides. I use that dual background to portray both my Northern and Southern characters and the cultural differences that would define them. And I may yet write a book set in the North! And last, but not least, can you please let us know one interesting fact about yourself that very few people know? When I was about five years old, my family took a vacation on Cape Cod. My parents rented a cottage near the ocean. One afternoon when I was in my life jacket and paddling near the shore, the tide started to go out. My mother called for me to come back, and I tried. I paddled with all my strength, but the tide was too strong. I was being carried further and further into the ocean. Since my mother didn’t swim, and my dad was away at the time, my aunt jumped in and swam out to rescue me. She grabbed me and towed me back to the safety of the shore. Whew! That's quite the story! I know all your readers are so glad for your aunt being there to tow you back. We look forward to hearing more about what's to come in your writing future. Readers, keep reading to find out how to keep up with Colleen and more about how to snag a copy of her books. Colleen Hall wrote her first story in third grade and wrote as a hobby all during her growing-up years. She was born in New England but moved South to attend college. She married a Southerner and has lived half of her life in the South. This helped her to see both sides of the issues of the Civil War. In Her Traitor's Heart, she was able to combine her love of writing with her love of history. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, horseback riding, reading, and browsing antique stores. She lives in South Carolina with her husband and family, three horses, and two spoiled cats.
From the author:
Since Anaiah Press has recently closed, I'm working on the next steps to get my books available for sale once again. My goal is to see that Valiant Heart will be republished soon. Follow me on my website or my newsletter for updates. Newsletter: https://forms.wix.com/r/7181092663729324913 Website: https://www.colleenhallromance.com/ The link for Valiant Heart is: https://www.amazon.com/Valiant-Heart-Frontier-Hearts-Saga/dp/1954189907 if you'd like to try ordering from Amazon. Amazon may have a few copies left. Otherwise, until Valiant Heart is back on Amazon, you can purchase it directly from me. You can reach me to place an order at [email protected].
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