What fuels creativity?

A clean house! Seriously, I write better when things are orderly; otherwise, I have an excuse to get up from the computer and tidy things, and avoid writing, because writing is hard, and I am basically lazy.

Principally, the endless variety available just by being a reasonably observant human who inhabits the planet fuels my creativity. I am reminded constantly that there is a story everywhere. With that kind of outlook, it’s pretty hard to be stuck for an idea.

What kills it?

People who expect me to write the same thing over and over. I need variety. When writing the same type of book over and over becomes a chore, then it’s time to move on.

When it comes to building the world you are going to write about, what do you begin with? Character, place, historical events, theme, or has each novel been different?

Because of my history background, I tend to think in terms of historic events that interest me. The only reason I ever started writing Regencies was because of my interest in the Peninsular Wars. As a general rule, I don’t read romances, but early on, I read Georgette Heyer, and then some other Regency authors. Too often, they felt like they were written in a vacuum (yes, even Dame Georgette). I wanted to ask the authors, “Hey, don’t you realize there is a wider world out there than Almack’s, and some serious world events are underway?”

Like all Regency writers, I like an involved plot. I’ll pick a time and a place, and then do what good writers do: make their characters uncomfortable. When someone is uncomfortable, then he or she has to do something about it. That doing is called plot.

Or sometimes, I’ll just want to write about the nicest man who ever lived, who finds himself in the worse place. That’s how Captain Jesse Randall of The Wedding Journey came into being. So I supposed it’s fair to say that all the items you mentioned come into play from book to book.

For years, I’ve been interested in Spanish Colonial America. My very first novel was set in the royal colony of New Mexico in the 17th century. I’m looking to go back to that era in my next novel, but in Florida. I’ve found a worthy setting, and have several characters who are extremely uncomfortable. Guess it’s time to write their story and relieve a little of their angst, eh?

Among your own novels, do you have a favorite?

I usually like to be glib and say that my favorite novel is the one I am currently writing. That’s at least partly true, because if you don’t really like what you’re writing, then it’s awfully hard to finish it.

I’ve always been fond of Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand. I admire women like Roxie Drew who don’t whine or flinch, but who face up to what life deals, and cope.

In my short stories, I think I like “Make a Joyful Noise,” and “An Object of Charity.” My personal favorite short story is “Mary Murphy,” which you won’t read unless you buy my newest book, Here’s to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army. There are several stories in that anthology that I’m fond of, for quite personal reasons. “Casually at Post” in that collection is also a personal favorite.

If you could give a beginning writer advice, what would you say?

Stay away from writer’s groups, and don’t “talk out” your story. Get it on paper, then in the hands of a publishing house, sell it, and then talk about it. Accept the fact that writing is a solitary, lonely job.

What is the best piece of writing advice you have received?

I’ll pass on some writerly advice from a world-class historian who was the subject of my thesis: “Put your ass in the chair and leave it there until you’re done.”

Are there issues you want to write about that you haven’t yet tackled?

Probably. I’ll know it when those characters start getting uncomfortable.

You’ve dealt with some difficult issues in your writing; what do you think is the key to making such elements work in a romance?

It all has to be totally believable. I’m a firm believer in underwriting. Writing with restraint allows the writer to respect the reader’s intelligence, and make his or her own inferences about the issue.

Are there any unusual settings you would like to explore? Settings that might not be typical for the romance genre...or even any thoughts of busting out and trying a new genre?

I can’t think of any really unusual settings. No matter what the setting, my people tend to be pretty ordinary. Or so I think. I never really think about writing in the romance genre. I just write books. I would like to do more of the American themes now, as I have done in my latest. Heck, I’m an Indian Wars researcher and historian by occupation. How about something full length there? Have I got an idea? You bet.

Is there anything that might bring a person who doesn’t typically enjoy Regency romance to your novels?

I’ve seen ads for my books--Miss Whittier was one-that say something like, “If you don’t like Regencies, this is a good place to start.”

You’ve written novels and short stories (for romance anthologies). Do you prefer one form over the other, or does each have advantages/disadvantages?

I like both forms. I continue to approach each novel or short story as an exercise in learning how to write. I ask myself, what can I learn about my craft this time? Writing never gets easy, but it’s always an interesting pursuit. I look at short stories as I would look at poetry, i.e., how much can I convey with the fewest number of words? I like the challenge of telling a full-length, fleshed-out story in a short form. Sometimes I succeed, and sometimes I don’t.

Does your faith influence your writing in any way?

Yes, certainly. I know a lot of good people through my religion, and I probably subconsciously (or not so subconsciously) “use” their ideals and characters. I believe wholeheartedly in the goodness of people, and their divinity. We are sons and daughters of a loving father, and I try to reflect that in my characters. I don’t generally write villains, because we’re usually our own worst enemy.

What authors did you read as a kid, and do you think any of them influenced you becoming a writer, or what you write about?

I read Louisa May Alcott as a kid, and I got awfully fond of that 19th century style of writing. When I was older, I became addicted to C.S. Forester’s wonderful Hornblower novels. They were accurate depictions of life at sea during the Napoleonic Wars. Great stuff. I’ve learned a lot from Forester about understatement. I also owe a debt to R.F. Delderfield, Joseph Conrad, and Nevil Shute. H’mm, interesting. All the above are Brits. They tell stories. They don’t go off on purply prose tangents. I just want to tell stories. Of the Americans, I have long enjoyed Jack Schaefer, and Ernest Haycox, and Charles King for their wonderful cavalry stories. Them, I emulate.

Miss Whittier is on my keeper shelf. Do you have such a shelf and if so, what books/authors are there?

I’m glad you like Hannah Whittier! I like her, too, but I worry about her choice in men. I’ve debated whether to revisit Hannah and Daniel, because I’m not sure that one made it through the long haul.

Oh, yes, I have a keeper shelf. Prominent are Owen Johnson’s Lawrenceville Storiesand Stover at Yale. I also have Carrie Young’s memoir of Dakota homesteading called Nothing To Do but Stay. I also have a copy of The Discourses of Brigham Young, and Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice. Schindler’s List is there, as is Young Men and Fire (an excellent work about death). Jim Corbett’s The Man-Eating Leopard of Rudraprayyag (now there’s a ‘zero at the bone’ book), and Redmond O’Hanlon’s travel memoirs: No Mercy, and Into the Heart of Borneo. It’s a pretty mixed bag, but you’ll note that most of those are non-fiction. Funny how that is.

I guess my favorite fiction is Lawrenceville Stories, and I’m hard put to explain why. I mean, after September 11, I just went home and held the book, and felt better. Maybe that’s the power of the written word.

What can readers look forward from you next?

I am writing the Spanish Colonial Florida story, and then I’m thinking seriously about fleshing out a true story someone in the post office told me about two young nurses who end up working in a TB sanatorium in God-help-us northern North Dakota.

Currently I am finishing up abridging and editing a major fur trade narrative for Oklahoma University Press. Looks like I’ll be researching two Indian Wars projects for the State Historical Society, plus doing my usual summer job as ranger at Fort Union Trading Post NHS. My boss there gets somewhat proprietary of my time, and tells me that I only have time to do more projects between midnight and four, when I’m ‘spozed to be sleeping.

Working with Texas Christian University Press on Here’s to the Ladies: Stories of the Frontier Army proved to be so fulfilling, that I’d like to do more with university presses. We’ll see.

Thank you, Carla!