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Sandy is an exceptionally active member of Writers Co-op. Not only does she contribute posts, participate in Show Case, and interact in all comment discussions, but she also created and co-ordinates WiP Wednesday, our authors’ workshop. In her time away from Writers Co-op, she reads, writes, works, and creates art. Ask her about her artwork and her Zazzle shop. You can see examples of her work as illustrations for her posts and Show Case submissions.
Here’s what she has to say about the influence books have had on her.
My earliest reading memory:
I don’t have a memory of learning to read. I’m sure it began the same way as it does for most people. I do remember my dad reading to my brother and me. I loved the way my dad read. He brought Rowsby Woof and the Fairy Wogdog to life (in Watership Down.) As a child, however, I also remember getting impatient while listening to him read The Hobbit. That book woke up my appetite for devouring books. I have been a book dragon ever since.
I credit my dad for introducing me to a wide variety of genres. From Tolkien, to Steinbeck, to Tom Clancy and Ken Follet, to HP Lovecraft, Roald Dahl, and Stephen King, to historical novels and books about rocks. (This sentence is starting to read to the tune of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer!) We even kept a copy of All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot in the bathroom. The chapters were short and easy to read in one sitting.
My favorite book growing up:
There is never just one … Hands Down, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Yet, there was also The Velveteen Rabbit, and the Narnia series. These books set my imagination on fire.
My childhood began in Indiana, with road trips west to Oklahoma and California (yes, on the Mother Road and in a station wagon) to visit Mom’s side of the family.
Eventually, we moved to Western Colorado, but traveling from our tiny town to Denver was a minimum of five hours. While my brother and I each had a stash of comic books, my book collection started to have more words and fewer pictures. The words would flip the switch in my head and turn into movies as I read.
The book that changed me as a teenager:
Again, there isn’t just one … I will say the King James version of The Bible had some influence over me, but not in the way the Baptist church intended. Remember the fantasy novels of my childhood? I viewed the bible as another fantasy. (still do). I began to question the indoctrination being fed to me. My skeptic was born.
John Jakes’ Historical Novels, The Kent Family Chronicles and North and South fascinated me. I wanted to write an epic book series like Jakes. I sent him a fan letter and got a typed response on a 3X5 note card with his signature (I have that card somewhere … I hope. It’s the only autograph I ever asked a celebrity for, aside from a David Ross signed baseball from the Cubs 2016 World Series.) It was that response that cemented my desire to be a writer. I was about thirteen at the time.
Writing this, I wondered if the guy was still alive. He passed away 11 March 2023 at the age of 90. Bummer, another writer I missed the opportunity to meet.
The writer who changed my mind:
Again with the plural… In high school I was enamored with John Jakes and his series of historical novels, particularly The Kent Family Chronicles. Because of those novels I eventually found my way to Boston, toured the USS Constitution (the oldest commissioned ship in the US Navy), and I fell in love with epic historical sagas. Then Anne Rice, and her literary style applied to vampires, the castrati, witches and later her version of Christ and werewolves (not all in one story), taught me there was an elegant way to write gritty stories. I wish I could have met her. The best I can do now is go to New Orleans and pay my respects at her grave. I intend to do that.
I must add Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Neil Gaiman as influences.
These writers didn’t so much as change my mind but helped me unlock my imagination and set it free.
The book that made me want to be a writer:
Every book I ever read, especially the ones I disliked. It usually isn’t the story, but the writer failing to do the story justice.
The book I could never read again:
Atlas Shrugged. I’d rather watch grass grow or paint dry.
The book I am currently reading:
Currently I am reading Curtis Bausse’ One Green Bottle, and re-reading The Song of Albion Trilogy by Stephen Lawhead. I can’t read just one book at a time. I also added The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy to my current reads. That book comes up regularly in conversation here. I figured it was time to revisit. The last time I read it, I was in my twenties. This time it is a fabulous vacation for my brain! I also just received the hard copy of Victor’s Nihilist Pocket Guide. It’s in my queue. For the moment, however, Rabbit Hole 7 submissions have my front and center attention.
A side effect of books on my writing life:
Every story I write has a library. No matter how fantastical I get, there is always …. ALWAYS a place for a library!
Finally, I must express my gratitude to the land of Writer’s Co-op and its denizens for welcoming me home and helping me improve my craft. Thank You!
A note from Sue: If you’d like to be In the Spotlight, answer the same questions Sandy did and send your answers in the body of an email (no attachments, please) to me at stranscht@sbcglobal.net. Feel free to include a very brief bio with a couple items you’d like people here to know about you.
Photo credit: Jez Timms, Unsplash.com
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