Ask the Author: Heather Blanton
Answered Questions (18)
Heather Blanton
The story that started my love affair with writing about the West was a book called The Mirror by Marlys Millheiser. A haunting, time-travel tale, it was set in the mountains just outside Denver. Nederland, maybe? Anyway, I just knew after I read it I would see Colorado one day and when I finally did, the Rockies did not disappoint. The hero in this book was especially compelling--cocky but sweet, strong but head-over-heels in love. I adored him. What a great question. Where would you go?
Heather Blanton
I'm not aware of anything by name, but I do remember my folklore professor telling me that the sheriff's wife wrote one. I don't recall her name. I bet you could start with some NC history text books.
Heather Blanton
Wow, what a great question! So far the biggest mystery I have encountered is the mind of a teenager! I have two. I used to be one. Yet I don't understand them. One minute everything is fine and we're chatting away like civil people. The next, emotions are all in a dither! I suppose the real mystery is how you can love someone so much, yet have moments when you really don't like them. I actually would like to write a YA story about a teenager but tell the story from his POV and the mother's. If nnothing else, it would be cathartic. :) Thanks for asking!
Heather Blanton
No worries. JJst answer when you can. :)
Heather Blanton
Phyllis, not sure what happened here but I will be happy to ship it again. Please send me your address again. I'm at gowest36@gmail.com
Heather Blanton
Wendy, did you ever receive your copy?
Heather Blanton
Great question. Either Rooster Cogburn and Eula Goodnight or Han Solo and Princess Leia. The dynamics of both these relationships fascinate me!
Heather Blanton
Manda, can you message me privately and tell me your address? I'm so sorry I just saw this. For some reason, I am not getting all the email notifications from Goodreads! My direct email is gowest36@gmail.com. I will get you taken care of! Sorry for the delay.
Heather Blanton
Thanks for the question, Denise!
The Southern Folklife Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the finest historical collections in the country. It focuses, obviously, on Southern life. In a folklore class I took back in 2010, we studied a gentleman named Henry Berry Lowry (or Lowrie). The Lumbee Indians consider him a hero, sort of in the vein of Robin Hood. He was a man of mixed blood who was victimized by the ridiculous racist laws of North Carolina, but rather than cower or hide, Henry fought. He butted heads with the local sheriff and even had more federal troops after him than Jesse James. It is a fascinatingly bitter story.
Anyway, at one point, his wife and a relative's wife were arrested and used as bait. Henry was ticked off about that! He wrote the sheriff a note (written in pencil in beautiful script and everything was spelled correctly) that said, "Release our wives tomorrow by noon or you will call down such trouble as you cannot imagine." The sheriff released the ladies. Henry killed more people than the James Gang. He hid in the swamp to avoid capture. Legend says he had a pair of boots with heels on the toes to confuse trackers.
The Southern Folklife Collection at UNC-Chapel Hill is one of the finest historical collections in the country. It focuses, obviously, on Southern life. In a folklore class I took back in 2010, we studied a gentleman named Henry Berry Lowry (or Lowrie). The Lumbee Indians consider him a hero, sort of in the vein of Robin Hood. He was a man of mixed blood who was victimized by the ridiculous racist laws of North Carolina, but rather than cower or hide, Henry fought. He butted heads with the local sheriff and even had more federal troops after him than Jesse James. It is a fascinatingly bitter story.
Anyway, at one point, his wife and a relative's wife were arrested and used as bait. Henry was ticked off about that! He wrote the sheriff a note (written in pencil in beautiful script and everything was spelled correctly) that said, "Release our wives tomorrow by noon or you will call down such trouble as you cannot imagine." The sheriff released the ladies. Henry killed more people than the James Gang. He hid in the swamp to avoid capture. Legend says he had a pair of boots with heels on the toes to confuse trackers.
Heather Blanton
Howdy, Molly. Sorry for the delayed response. The holidays! Goodness. But, a Promise in Defiance is set to release early spring, 2016. Will Molly go home? Does anyone ever really go home again? Tease, tease ...
Heather Blanton
Thanks for the question, L.N. Sorry I didn't see this sooner! Hearts in Defiance can be read alone and you won't be lost in the plot. Reading A Lady in Defiance certainly will give you more depth and background, though.
Heather Blanton
Thanks, Sue, for asking. That's a fun question. First off, I love the West and have traveled in CO, ID, WY, Northern CA, and Nevada fairly extensively. I've explored the San Juan Mountains and towns like Ouray, Telluride, etc., as well as the ghost towns in those mountains! I've seen the Sweetwater Valley and Independence Rock in WY, to name a few historic places. Ghosts from the past have always whispered in my ears! They beg me to learn their stories, so I am an AVID reader of biographies, letters, diaries, etc. and yes, I visit ANY museum I can drag my family to!
I have stood on Independence Rock at the signature of a man who went west in 1849, and I've stood in the parlor where Robert E. Lee married Mary Custis. That kind of thing makes me giddy! Thank you so much for reading about Defiance!
I have stood on Independence Rock at the signature of a man who went west in 1849, and I've stood in the parlor where Robert E. Lee married Mary Custis. That kind of thing makes me giddy! Thank you so much for reading about Defiance!
Heather Blanton
That is a long answer. Suffice it to say that my character of Hannah is based on my sister. I lost Suzy in '99 to breast cancer. She was a truly amazing, godly woman and I want to tell her story. She was an unwed teenage mother who went on to do some amazing things for His kingdom. Because family and friends are still around, I've veiled the story and obviously changed things around, but the core of her story is still there.
Heather Blanton
Ideas hit me (I think that is a God-thing) and I start making notes. But, usually, I carry a story around in my head for a long-time before the first letter is typed. For example, my novella In Time for Christmas is a story I'd been sitting on since high school!
Heather Blanton
I'm working on a marketing plan for the sequel to A Lady in Defiance, Romance in the Rockies Book 1. HEARTS IN DEFIANCE is coming out in Sept. I'm also working on turning A Lady into a script, as I've had some interest from a Hollywood producer. As far as the next book, oddly, it's not the third book in the Romance in the Rockies trilogy. It's historical fiction, set in Wyoming around the turn-of-the-century, but right now doesn't have any characters from my first two books. I just feel led to write it.
Heather Blanton
Aside from really attempting to deepen your relationship with God, my next suggestion would be the old adage, "Get thee to a writer's conference." What you learn and the people you meet will change your life!
Heather Blanton
The way I have to rely on God for inspiration, for stories that will impact and inspire people, and for help paying bills! Laugh...
Heather Blanton
Several things. First, I pray. I'l read some books on writing. I've learned so much in the last two years since my first book hit and I didn't think it was "good enough." Therefore, I wanted to study to show myself approved, as the scripture says. And then, either take a drive or a shower. I get some of the best inspirations when I'm driving down the road!
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