THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS:
ROMANTIC AND DARK FICTION
BY CASS ANDRE

An Interview With
Barbara M. Hodge

ER!-The release of fantasy writer Barbara M. Hodges' novel The Blue Flame is right around the corner.  Due out in February from Hard Shell Word Factory. I have the pleasure of interviewing this up and coming author (and the newest addition to our eBooks Rock! Author family) just moments before The Blue Flame's release. Barbara, can you tell us a little about The Blue Flame and what inspired you to write this novel?

BMH-The Blue Flame is a fantasy adventure. Regan Cafferty's sister hasbeen missing for seven years. Just when Regan is ready to accept her death,
a man shows up on her doorstep and tells her that he has come to take her to her sister. Doubting his sanity, but unable to turn away from the chance of seeing her sister again, she goes with him.   They cross a rift, and enter the world of Daradawn. In Daradawn magic rules, both good and evil. There Regan will meet a elven prince with rape on his mind, mind-link with a head-strong dragon, and join with her sister to overcome a dark magic sent on destroying Daradawn. The Blue Flame is a story of danger, magic, love, and sex. I wrote the novel because it is a tale of the variety that I love to read.  When I started it, I labored under the fallacy that I would be able to make these characters do as I wanted, but I soon found out that they all had minds of their own, and so ended up telling their story, and not mine.

ER!-Is there a book out there that you're just dying to write but for some reason haven't?

BMH-I have so many books cluttering my brain. I'm sure I'll never be able to write them all. But I will be trying. . .right up until I take my last breath.

ER!-What would you say has been your biggest writing challenge?

BMH-My biggest challenge has been forcing myself to re-learn the basics of the English language. It has been awhile since high school. The simple decision of to or too, takes time away from the creativity that I love. I seem to pepper my writing with commas, then have to go back and weed them out.

ER!-Is there anything out there (in the non-writing world) that you'd like to do, but haven't yet been given the opportunity?

BMH-There are hundreds of things out there in the non-writing world that I haven't done yet. Some I will do before I die, some will remain dreams. I want to go to Italy. That will become a reality before long I hope. I want to travel the Eastern portion of the United States. I haven't even been to Grand Canyon, or Yellow Stone National Park. I want to walk on Broadway. Stroll through Central Park. Stare up at Mount Rushmore, and most of all I want to watch my adorable nieces, great-nieces and great-nephews grow, marry and live. 

ER!-Is there a book that you've written, but we'll never see? Why?

BMH-No. I'm a open book myself. If I write it, I want the whole world to see it.

ER!-If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing?  

BMH-Besides writing I am a decorative painter. If I wasn't writing, I'd be painting, and that is what I do now. I see no reason to change. I love them both. With both you take raw material and when you are finished you've used your mind and talents to create something that you hope will reach out and touch others.

ER!-Of all the characters you've written about, who would you say is most like you? And why?

BMH-I think there is a little of me in all my characters, male, female, even in Maggie the basset hound. As a writer I draw on my own experiences to give my characters life. And there isn't just a little of me in each of them, but also a little of everybody who has touched my world in some way.

ER!-What's the non-writing world like for you? Is there a husband, a boyfriend, slaves hidden in the basement? Children?

BMH-Today is the 22nd of January. My husband Jeff's and mine's 29th wedding anniversary.  We have no human children, but have two basset hounds, Winston and Sydney, and a cat, Cleopatra, who is just as regal as her namesake. As far as slaves and boyfriends, well Jeff fills both of those requirements.
Jeff and I are both NASCAR fans, watch every race faithfully, and even attend some in the flesh. Although I have to say that most of the fun is all the partying before the race, then the actual race itself. I'm a football fan. . .go Chiefs! And both of us are RVers. We have a fifth-wheel and just like to take off for quick little jaunts close by, as well as longer trips.

ER!-You write a regular column for EPPRO at http://eppro.homestead.com/letstalk.html Can you tell us a little more about what we can expect to read in your column "Let's Talk"?

BMH-Let's Talk is a column dealing with the marketing and promoting of ebooks. I plan to interview authors, publishers, and book sellers. The questions I ask, are the ones that I need answers to. My first interview was with author, Lindsey McKenna, AKA Eileen Nauman. My second will be with Katherine Struck, of Awestruck  E-Books. If there is a question that you'd like answered e-mail me, and I'll see if I can get an answer to it.

ER!-Many readers wonder what's going on in an author's head, and here's the part where we find out<g>.
Describe yourself in one line:

BMH-I'm emotionally volatile, but the kind of person that I would like to have for a best friend.

ER!-(Finish this sentence) On a Saturday night you'll find me...

BMH-. . .at home, stretched out on the couch, with Winston on one side, Sydney on the other, and we would all be watching a movie with Jeff.

ER!-If I were a cartoon character I'd be...

BMH-Shoe

ER!-If I could have one wish, I would wish...

BMH- For more than twenty-four hours in a day.

ER!-What kind of car do you drive?

BMH-A 92, maroon, Toyota Camrey.

ER!-What kind of car do you *want* to drive?

BMH-A 92, maroon, Toyota Camrey

ER!-Answer the following questions as quickly as possible, but feel free to expand on any of your answers (Hey, it's not a test).:
What's your favorite movie?

BMH-The Wizard of Oz.

ER!-Favorite song?

BMH-Unchained Melody

ER!-Favorite snack?

BMH-Ben and Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.

ER!-Favorite book?

BMH-Lord of The Rings

ER!-Typewriter or computer?

BMH-Computer! Computer! Computer!

ER!-Soup or salad?

BMH-Soup. I hate salad.

ER!-Pre-planner or blind leap?

BMH-I've done both. Different paths for different moods.

ER!-Turkey burger or steak?

BMH-Steak. . .one inch thick, medium rare.

ER!-Slacks or jeans?

BMH-Jeans

ER!-Boxers or briefs?<g>

BMH-I like my man in both!

ER!-Are blondes really more fun?

BMH- Yep, but hey, I'm a blonde!

ER!-Have you ever held anyone hostage?

BMH-Just myself.

ER!-If no, would you?

BMH-Yes. If it was for their own good.

ER!-Do you believe in love at first sight?

BMH-Yes. It worked for me.

ER!-Are aliens real?

BMH-You bet your sweet bippy they are for real.

ER!-If you could vote members off of Gilligan's Island, who would get the
boot first?

BMH-Ginger.

ER!-If Godzilla and Superman got into a street fight (no weapons allowed),
who would win?

BMH-Godzilla, he wouldn't fight fair.

ER!-What is one thing about you that very few know?

BMH-I have a slight anxiety attack every time I read my work aloud.

ER!-What is your greatest fear?

BMH-I haven't discovered my greatest fear yet.

ER!-If you could be anyone (dead or alive) who would you be? And why?

 BMH-There are so many people, both dead and alive, that I admire, but to choose one I would say Neil Armstrong. To go to the moon, well that took
courage and faith.

ER!-And finally (and you can take your time on this one:-)), what's next for you? Your next book? Writing venture? Goal?

BMH-Right now I am concentrating on marketing and promoting The Blue Flame. This part of writing is new to me. I find it exciting and scary at the same time. I've let my baby go out into the cruel world, now I have to see how she will be accepted. I'm also working on a second fantasy novel, The Scrolls of Destiny. And after that is a sequel to The Blue Flame. I figure they will keep me busy for a time, then. . .well, I'll just wait and see what life has in store.