Interview Angela Verdenius
by
D.H. Parker
1. Angela, Heart of a Peacekeeper will be book 12 in your Heart And Soul Series. How do you keep continuity throughout that many books? Do you have some kind of notebook where you keep track of all the characters' physical, mental and emotional make-up, or are you able to keep it all in your head?
I actually have lists and notes which I keep adding places, people, time lines, etc with each book. Physical, emotional and mental make-ups don't appear until I'm actually concentrating on a certain couple. I generally know my other side characters really well, and have no problems remembering how they act. It's the time lines, people and places I have to keep track of the most!
2. I'm also curious about the worlds you create. Where do you get your inspiration for your "galaxies far away"?
Um... my head. I daydream heaps. I read heaps. I love sci-fi movies. I guess it all gets mixed up when I daydream and my own worlds appear <g>. And somehow, no matter how far science goes, I just can't see us living in places so very different to those we have now!
3. Do you do any special research as you create your new worlds?
Not really. That's what I love about sci-fi/futuristic fiction. Everything is my own, I make it all up, and I can create whatever and whoever I want.
4. Was there anything in Heart of a Peacekeeper that gave you real problems as you were trying to write it? How did you work through it?
There sure was a problem area! Desdemona and Simon got into a heated episode pretty early on before they were even a couple, and this caught me off-guard. I'd never done that before, so now I had to figure out how to make it believable for two such characters to have this happen, and how they were going to continue from there. That made for an interesting time!
5. What are your favorite and least favorite parts of the book?
Um... without sounding egotistical, I actually liked all parts of the book <g>. I had a ball writing this story.
6. I know that you love cats and have been involved in rescuing and nurturing orphaned kittens. Cats can have amazing personalities. Do any of your cats show up as characters in your books?
I don't think so, but I do know cats do tend to crop up as pets, however briefly mentioned <g>. I just can't help myself. I thought having two big hybrid 'lycats' suited Desdemona's character right to the ground. She finds them soothing and great company, just as I do with my own kitties.
7. Has there been a happening anywhere in the world (at home or far away, big or small) that has had a huge impact on you and the way you write/see things?
I guess working at the hospital and in palliative care has given me a better understanding of enjoying what and who we have, and trying not to dwell too much on what we want but can't have. And being yourself--that came to me with experience <g>...though it's always easy to put on a face. Make the best of what you have and remember that what you have is yours, and things could be a lot worse. At the end, you want to think back on what you DID, however small, not what you DIDN'T. You're an important part of this world, and you will have touched at least one person in your life and made an impression on them. Make it a good impression.
8. Do you appreciate feedback from your readers? How has it helped or hindered you?
I love hearing from readers! It inspires me to keep writing through difficult areas and times when I hear from someone how much they enjoyed reading my books. For me, that's one of the best things about writing.
9. Will you give us your website url, so we can learn more about you and your books?
Oh yeah, of course, and I'll even give you myspace *wink*
http://www.myspace.com/angelaverdenius
10. Is there any message you hope readers will absorb as they read your books?
Four Ls - life, laughter, love and loyalty.
11. This one's just for fun. If you could have your pick of any actors, past or present, who would you cast in the main roles of Heart of a Peacekeeper?
Aw geez, I am so bad at this! Um.... for Love's Beguiling Healer--Sandra Bullock as Tera, and Brendan Fraser as Illam, though he'd need a wig <g>