      
      
      
An Interview
With
Valerie Hardin
ER-Valerie, thanks for agreeing
to let me pick your brain!You're the author of a number
of books, including poetry, children's stories, as well
as non-fiction. Let's focus on the four books out
right now. Three children's books and a gothic. I'M
WITH MOTHER ON SUNDAY is from Saint Street Publications,
OLD TURTLE, NEW MOON is from Crossroads, and TWO TURTLES
is from Hard Shell Word Factory, correct? Then there's
CRIMSON KISSES, the gothic, from Dead End Street. Going
from children's books to gothic is an extreme jump in
genre. Is there one that you prefer over the other?
VH-Most
people considered me a gothic poet first, but
children's writing is a big part of my heart and I
love it.
ER-Are
there ever times you consider giving up the writing?
Bouts of writers' block? If so, what do you do to
overcome it?
VH-I
have to take each day as they come. Sometimes I
think we all feel like giving up. I try to put it off
as much as I can.
ER-The
excerpt from CRIMSON KISSES is intense. Can you
give would-be readers a description of this gothic
vampire tale?
VH-The
novella was written as a short story about hope in
the bleakest hours. Sometimes people need that.
The story itself is about a young woman since birth
has always been connected to vampires even when she
did not believe.
ER-And how
about telling us a little about your children's stories?
VH-I
love writing for children. I want to entertain them
of course but I also want to comfort them. Children
have real fears and they deserve respect. I am
tending to write less novels and more picture ebooks
for children.
ER-What are
you currently working on?
VH-I am
working on a new children's ebook called Star Babies
which is about adoption. I am also working on a Goth
Wedding Guide which I started when doing freelance
work for wedding sites.
ER-On your
website you say that you started writing to avoid
housework. I can relate, of course. But was
that the beginning of your desire to write? Or has
your passion always been there?
VH-I
was always making stories in my head, soap stories,
gothic stories, sc-fi ones.
ER-Is there
anything out there that you'd like to do, but haven't yet
been given the opportunity?
VH-I
would love it if my short film script Broken Door got
produced into an actual film. Some independent
people were interested but it never came to pass.
ER-Is there
a book that you've written, but we'll never see? Why?
VH-I
think all writers have a book like that. I have at
least three, but you never know which will be
published. Sure bets fall through.
ER-If you
weren't a writer, what would you be doing?
VH-
wouldn't have a job if I wasn't a writer and
artist. I was once paid to act in an outdoor
drama. Acting was fun and I don't mind doing it every
once in a while but not as a career.
ER-Of all
the character's you've written about, who would you say
is most like you? And why?
VH-My
newest one the mother in star babies is a
horrible housekeeper so she's very much like me.
ER-I want
to talk about The Children's Ebook Hall of Fame, of which
you are co-founder. For anyone interested in
visiting The Children's Ebook Hall of Fame, the url is http://www.geocities.com/crushedangels/Childrensebookhalloffame.html
What made
you decide to build the Hall of Fame, Valerie? What
was the inspiration?
VH-I
was emailing writer Jennifer L. B. Leese about
wishing there was an ebook museum that people could
go to. Sadly Jennifer and I didn't have
the time for a real life building just yet so I
thought a virtual one would be a nice staring point.
ER-Of all
your successes what would you consider your greatest
accomplishment?
VH-It
changes from time to time.
ER-What's
the non-writing world like for you? Are there children,
grandchildren, a "day" job?
VH-I'm
not married as of yet, no children or
grandchildren. I mostly do odd, part time work
so that I can work from home.
ER-Many
readers wonder what's going on in an author's head, and
here's the part where we find out<g>.
(Finish this sentence) On a Saturday night you'll find
me...
VH-Going
out to eat with my family.
ER-If I
were a cartoon character I'd be...
VH-I
love cartoons. When I was a little girl it would have
been Daphnie because I used to have red hair.
As a teenager I would have been Daria or Marge
Simpson but as an adult I'd be Bubbles of the
powerpuff girls. Everyone tells me I remind them of
sweet little Bubbles.
ER-If I
could have one wish, I would wish...
VH-I am
keeping it private but if it comes true I'll try to
remember to tell you about it.
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).:
Favorite song?
VH-I
love almost anything by They Might Be Giants. I also
love the songs Total Eclipse of the Heart, and
American Pie
ER-Favorite
snack?
VH-Too
many to mention.
ER-Favorite
book?
VH-Jane
Erye.
ER-Typewriter
or computer?
VH-Computer.
ER-Soup or
salad?
VH-Both
are nice.
ER-Pre-planner
or blind leap?
VH-Depends
on what I'm wearing.
ER-Turkey
burger or steak?
VH-Neither,
I don't eat meat. So mine would be a Soy Burger.
Skirt or
jeans?
VH-Anything
velvet, velvet pants, skirts, velvet dresses .
ER-Do you
believe in love at first sight?
VH-As a
magic Date Ball (pink Eight Ball) would say Why
Not?
ER-Are
aliens real?
VH-I
don't know if they are but they might just be like us
wondering if there's anything out there. It be cool
to find out if I was from outer space. There
are a few people I adore that seem to be from my
planet.
ER-If you
could vote members off of Gilligan's Island, who would
get the boot first?
VH-Maybe
all of them, I don't think they wanted to be there.
<G>
ER-And
finally (and you can take your time on this one:-)),
what's next for you? Your next book? Writing venture?
Goal?
VH-My
Grandmother's Wedding which will be published by www.streetsaint.com shortly.
I just finished the art. I also have more issues
lined up for The Write Charm http://www.egroups.com/group/thewritecharm
Remember
to visit Valerie's Website
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