Interview with Texan Cowgirl: Kandy Kay Scaramuzzo

Happy Trails to you Kandy, I have been keen to interview you for sometime, let’s start by telling us a little bit about yourself?

By day I work as a behavior skills teacher in an alternative junior high school. By night I work as an animal behaviorist teaching good behavior to naughty dogs. In between, I keep a barn full of horses. In all my spare time, I am an author and a blogger.

Sounds like you have a busy life and I think I could use some help with my own naughty dog! What is the worst job that you have ever done and why? 

I started my career as a parole officer. Having to go get people who refused to follow the rules out of questionable places in the middle of the night, turned out to be not so much fun. I would rather work with the younger hoodlums and try to make a difference before they are completely gone.

Sounds like a very challenging career and quite a big leap from where you are now. I am not sure I would have the patience for it… If you could have written any other book by any other author, what would it be, and why?

That would be Crime and Punishment. I love the way the author had the conscience win out in the end, just like the Tell Tale Heart by Poe.

How would you think your parents would describe your book and does this differ from how you would describe it?

My parents don’t read my work however I really think it is a story that needs to be told.

Yeah, my mam likes to show her friends copies of my book but I don’t think she would actually read it herself. What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?

My book is a nonfiction, memoir. I haven’t really thought about moving genres

I think most nonfiction writers tend to stay with nonfiction…What inspired you to write your first book?

Pie’s story is so amazing and inspiring, I felt it needed to be shared.

I have had a look at your website and I am curious about Pie…I think I will certainly be reading your book when I get a chance. Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?

I have spent a fortune in sticky notes. I have tons of them everywhere.

Do you have a structure when you are writing, and if so what?

I am not really a structured kind of person.

An informal, go with the flow kind of girl eh? Which was your favourite character to write, and why?

My favorite character was Pie. The whole book is about him, he is amazing.

Yeah, your love for him really shines through, tell me Kandy what are you reading at the moment and why?

I am reading Seer by Patick O’Scheen. It has dragons and gypsies in it.

Sounds like a fascinating combination! What is your favourite movie and why?

I have two favorite movies, Arsnic and Old Lace and Pirates of the Caribbean. They both amuse the dog out of me every time I watch them.

Pirates of the Caribbean is FAB…Do you have an opinion on life after death, and if so what?

I don’t think it is my place to deny the existence of anything.

When you eat out would you choose Chinese, Indian or Italian, or other, if so what?

I would have to choose Italian. I am married to an Italian.

Ah, that explains the unusual surname. I hope he does the cooking…I think that must be every woman’s fantasy man! London, Paris or New York and why?

I would have to say London. I am of Druid descent.

Do you write poetry or short stories as well? If so what?

I don’t write poetry, but sometimes I do short stories and guest blogs. My co author Pie also does short stories and blog posts.

How do you overcome writers block?

Knock on wood, I have not had a problem with writers block yet….

Where would you like to be in 5 year time?

I would like to be retired on a ranch writing and blogging full time.

If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?

I would tell my husband and daughter I love them and they better take care of my critters or I will come back and haunt them.

I love it!  Actually, I love the word critter – It’s one of those words that you don’t hear very much of over here…Speaking of critters do you have any pets and if so what?

At the moment I have 7 horses,several of them rescues. I have 3 cats at home and 4 at the barn. I have a German Shepherd, an Australian Shepherd and a part time Corgi. I also have an albino rat/corn snake.

Do you have a football/soccer team that you are passionate about and if so what?

Sorry, I am horse racing fan. Still waiting for someone to beat my boy Secretariat’s record.

My dad was a big fan of horse racing – He used to spend a fortune!  I guess, it’s different in Texas though because you get to race your own horses!! Must be so cool to raise a winner!

Where was your best ever bucket and spade holiday, and why?

When my husband and I took our daughter to a dude ranch in Colorado. It was an awesome bonding experience.

Dude ranching is like being in the wild west right? So lots of horse riding, hiking, fishing that type of thing? Sounds a bit too high energy and “outdoorsy” for me but I think Lenora would love it.  Thanks Kandy for taking time out from Pie to talk to me…Good luck with your next book!

You can visit Kandy and Pie at http://www.kandykayscaramuzzo.com