Talkshow Thursday: Chatting With Lisa Flickinger
Lisa Flickinger is joining me today and discussing her new book. Grab a chair and get to know this fascinating author.
Linda: Thanks for
joining me today. Your latest book, Fool’s
Notion is a story of a woman on the Oregon/California Trail with a pack
string of mules. What made you decide to write this story?
Lisa: When I was
eight years old, my family went on vacation to California and visited Knott’s
Berry Farm. I remember vividly a miniature display of covered wagons on the
Oregon Trail. At that moment I fell in love with the idea of pioneering.
LM: How did you
decide which time period to set Fool’s
Notion in?
Lisa: I use Borax
detergent for “keeping my whites white” and there is a picture of a mule team
on the box. When I researched the Borax “rush” I discovered it began in 1882. I
picked 1883 as the year for my heroine, Alda, to have a reason to cross the
country with her mules.
LM: Fascinating! I love hearing about those kinds of serendipitous inspirations. What do you
do to prepare yourself for writing? For example do you listen to music or set
up in a specific place?
Lisa: I don’t do
anything special to prepare, I generally only write at my desk, in my office.
Sounds of any kind disturb my creative process ;)
LM: Writers are
often people who grew up as voracious readers. Who was your favorite author
when you were a child?
Lisa: I’m
definitely a voracious reader and I’m pretty sure I read through all the
chapter books for kids in our local library. My aunt started me on Nancy Drew
mysteries, by author Carolyn Keene, from there I moved onto the Bobbsey Twins,
Trixie Belden …
LM: Yep - those were some of my favorites too! So, you live in a
gorgeous area of the world, one many people would visit on holiday. If money
were no object, what is your idea of the ultimate vacation?
Lisa: I have
traveled to quite a few beautiful places in the world like Thailand,
Philippines, Italy, and Switzerland, but my current wish list is to visit
Ireland and Scotland. I would love to take a car tour and stay at B&B’s so
we could stop and take in any sight we wished to.
LM: What is the
quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?
Lisa: Hmmm, quirky. Perhaps think I could write
a novel. Seriously though, I once washed the feet of street people in the
Philippines on a downtown boulevard with a mission team. It was one of the most
beautiful experiences of my life.
LM: What is your
next project?
Lisa: I’m writing
a story of a young woman with a secret child in the late 1800’s who’s living in
a rough and tumble logging town along the Rockies. She meets a new pastor with
his own secrets and the two of them attempt to form a relationship under
difficult circumstances.
LM: Where can
folks find you on the web?
Lisa: www.lisajflickinger.com
LM: Thanks so much for stopping by!
Lisa: Thanks for the interview.
