For now, I see that I’ll be continuing to write historical romances. But I’ve lived long enough to know that the world can be turned on its ear in a flash.
Tell us a little about your family.
I’m the mother of two beautiful daughters, and a grandmother to six (three boys, three girls). The grandkids are very active in sports and drama, so it’s a treat to get to go to watch them in whatever activity they’re involved in at the time.
Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes, reading isn’t as easily enjoyed as it used to be. Non-fiction I’m always reading with an eye toward ideas. Fiction I’m always reading to learn more about the craft.
I'm the same. Sometimes, I just want to curl up with a book and get lost in it. What are you working on right now?
I’m in the early stages of a new historical romance that is set in Idaho during the latter half of the 19th century.
Sounds like a book I'd love. What outside interests do you have?
A couple of years ago, I took up knitting again after a 25 year break. And this year, I’ve stocked up on art supplies so I can fiddle around with painting again, something I did a lot of back in my 20’s.
Lately, I've been crocheting a lot, with a little knitting thrown in. How do you choose your settings for each book?
Almost all of my books are set in Idaho. I love sharing my favorite place in the world with others. The era changes, anywhere from the Civil War years up to present day, all depending upon the story that comes to me.
If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Without a doubt, Abraham Lincoln. He was an amazing man, as a lawyer, as a president, and as a Christian.
What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
How to submit successfully to the larger New York publishers.
What new lesson is the Lord teaching you right now?
To “come away” with Him, to be still and know that He is God.
What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
Read, read, read. Read everything. Newspapers, biographies, memoirs, fiction, magazines, blogs. Read, read, read.
Write, write, write. Thinking about writing doesn’t count. Write the very best book you are capable of writing today.
Find yourself a good agent, and don’t try to take shortcuts to publication.
I so agree. I've been saddened when I see a talented storyteller selfpublish a book before its time. Tell us about the featured book?
Who says a woman can’t keep a secret?
It's 1918, and Daphne McKinley, heiress to a small fortune, has found contentment in the town of Bethlehem Springs. But Daphne has a secret.
A series of dime novels loosely based on local lore and featuring a nefarious villain known as Rawhide Rick has enjoyed modest popularity among readers. Nobody in Bethlehem Springs knows the man behind the stories … except Daphne.
When newspaperman Joshua Crawford comes to town searching for the man who sullied the good name of his grandfather, Daphne finds herself at a crossroads, reassessing the power of her words, re-thinking how best to honor her gifts, and reconsidering what she wants out of life.
Here's the trailer:
Please give us the first page of the book.
At the time I’m writing this, I don’t have a copy of the actual book or galleys, so this is probably two pages instead of one, but here goes:
Prologue
St. Louis, Missouri, August 1918
Propelled by a white hot fury, Joshua Crawford pushed open the door to Gregory Halifax’s office so hard it hit the wall with a loud wham. Startled, Gregory looked up a split second before Joshua slapped the newspaper onto the desk.
“What is this garbage?” Joshua demanded.
Gregory’s expression changed from one of surprise to a smirk. “So you read it.”
“Of course I read it, and I’m here to demand a retraction.”
“A retraction? For what?”
“For what you wrote about my grandfather.”
Gregory laughed softly. “You must be joking. The article is about dime novelists. The part about Richard Terrell was the words of the author, not mine.”
“But you made what Mr. Morgan wrote in his novels sound as if it was fact rather than fiction. It’s not.”
“How do you know it’s not? Tell me. What do you know about your grandfather before he settled in St. Louis? Nothing, that’s what. You’ve said so yourself.”
“Did you contact anyone in Idaho to try to confirm that the character in Morgan’s books is based on the real Richard Terrell?"
“I didn’t need to. I interviewed the publishers for my story. And again, the focus of my article is the men who write dime novels, not on the characters found in their books.”
“But in the process you’ve dragged my grandfather’s good name through the mud. I want a retraction.”
Gregory pushed back his chair and stood, the smile gone from his face. “When you prove anything I wrote is in error, then come see me again, and we’ll have this discussion. Until then, get out.”
For one moment, Joshua thought he might be able to control his temper. For one very brief moment—just before he caught Gregory’s jaw with a right hook followed by a left jab to the gut. Gregory flew backward into the wall. The glass in the office door rattled again. Joshua readied himself for the other man to fight back. To his dissatisfaction, it didn’t happen. Gregory’s eyes were still unfocused when more men poured into the office and grabbed Joshua by the arms, hauling him away. One of the men was Joshua’s boss, Langston Lee.
“You’re fired, Crawford. Collect your things and get out. I won’t have my reporters brawling. You hear me. Get out or I’ll call the police.”
Joshua longed to turn his rage onto his boss, to give Langston Lee a little of what he’d already given Gregory Halifax. But he had enough good sense left to resist the urge. He was already out of a job. He didn’t want to spend time in a jail cell besides.
But so help him, he would get a retraction out of this newspaper. He would prove Gregory Halifax was a shoddy reporter and see that he was fired. He would hear Langston Lee apologize. And he would make certain D. B. Morgan never again maligned his grandfather in print.
This wasn’t over yet.
What a wonderful hook! How can readers find you on the Internet?
My web site: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/
My blog: http://robinlee.typepad.com/
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher
Robin, thank you for once again sharing your life and your book with us.
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