And our Sue's Clues Mystery Author is: Debra Salonen has been writing romance novels since 1996, sold her first one in 1999, and I have a feeling she won't be stopping anytime soon. "I would write even if I never sold another book. Why? Because being a writer isn't what I do for a living, it's who I am."
And what a writer. She's tackled some very interesting situations in her stories. Heroines who are ex-prostitutes. Heroes who are Senatorial candidates finding out they have a child from a one-night stand. Children who are victims of violence and infertility are also topics in Debra's books. Perhaps her teenage years working as a cabdriver for her parents' business gave her some insight into what goes on in the world some of us will never see. Debra grew up in the Midwest. Brookings, South Dakota - a college town, an area that attracts sportsmen, a small town where people know each other. In other words, a place where you can meet all kinds and a job that made that easier. "Every stop was a chance to meet someone interesting - or quirky. And, believe me, every quirky passenger had a story to tell. ... I like to think I stored up all those stories for later use...." I think that Debra can tell you about herself better than I can, and she's been kind enough to answer some questions below. Thanks Debra! 1. Driving a cab for your parents' taxi company must have been the coolest job! I imagine you've run into some very interesting people and situations. What would be the funniest fare you ever had? Were there any that were on the scary side? And what was the most annoying thing that people would do when you were a driver?
No particularly scary memories come to mind, but I'll never forget the most gross. One night, an old drunk named One-Eyed Mary (picture a black patch just like John Wayne wore in Rooster Cogburn on a 250-lb old woman in a bad wig) needed a ride home from the bar. I had to help her stagger into the back seat. As I closed the door, I prayed I'd get her home before she hurled. My prayer was answered, but as I opened the door to help her out, I realized there are worse things (and worse smells) than barf. Does that qualify as most annoying? I also remember getting a $10 tip for a seventy-five cent trip. I was over the moon. That was a lot of money back then. The fare was a pheasant hunter who'd flown in from Palm Springs. I recall thinking that he might have been someone famous, but since he was old (at least, thirty), I didn't pay much attention except to the money. My favorite passengers were the old ladies. They took a long time to get to the car, but I loved their style dresses to the middle of their shins, prim shoes and thick hose, handbags with stiff handles, and, often, gloves and hats as the occasion demanded. I always called them “Miss” or “Mrs.” They always gave me plates of specially made cookies or fudge at Christmas. As each one passed away, I knew we were losing another piece of our collective heritage. 2. Where did you go to college and what was your major?
I enrolled in college as a journalism major. This made sense since my teachers in high school believed I had an affinity for writing. I agreed until I got to my first journalism class and saw the word “deadline” on the chalk board. My reply? “Deadline? Deadline? I don't need no stinkin' deadline. I'm here to have fun.” Geographers know how to have fun. And I had a blast. I also learned a lot about life, the art and science of studying and the world at large. One of my most significant classes was called, “Classroom on Wheels” with Dr. Lee A. Opheim. “Dr. O's Traveling Show” we fondly called it. Three SDSU stationwagons full of students, touring the west. We were a danger to ourselves and others, but, somehow, this hands-on approach made all those previous classes in history and earth studies more real.
My daughter lives thirty miles away -- close enough to give me a massage once a week. She's a massage therapist with amazing hands and a wicked elbow. I'm really blessed to have so much support for my writing. My son pushes my books on all his friends and in-laws. My daughter says she has never been prouder than the day one of her massage clients made the connection between our last names. The woman nearly fell off the table. “Your mother is Debra Salonen? I've read all her books. I love her writing.” How fun is that? My daughter also gets credit for giving me the germ of inspiration behind my November book, CALEB'S CHRISTMAS WISH. She's godmother to her best friend's son. The child's godfather is best friend of the dad. She was idly wondering one day what she and this fellow would do if anything happened to their mutual friends. Which got me wondering…and a story was born.
My wonderful editor, Zilla Soriano, replied that Superromance readers were evolved enough to understand that not everyone enters a relationship with an unblemished past. I agreed. But there was “blemished” and then there was “ex-prostitute.” But Zilla was right. Claudie was an amazing heroine who taught me a lot about self-forgiveness. I do research for every book, but sometimes it comes down to being in the right place at the right time. I've noticed that when I'm starting a new book, I'll suddenly find links to people and opportunities that I couldn't have foreseen before I started the book. I love talking to people about their experiences and learning from them. For my April book, A COWBOY SUMMER, I interviewed a young bull rider who used to go to school with my son. This is how you get the “real life” stuff that comes through in Superromance. You asked about my favorite book. That's a little bit like asking which of your children you like best, but I have to admit that WONDERS NEVER CEASE is a book that makes me smile every time I think about it. It was the first book I wrote after quitting my day job -- I was a feature writer for a newspaper (that whole journalism thing again). I needed to find out whether I still had any creative juices left inside me. I let my imagination run wild, never questioning where it would lead or if I'd find a readership/market for the book once it was written. The manuscript suffered the slings and arrows of rejection for various reasons. But as it was out making the rounds, I wrote another book, THAT COWBOY'S KIDS. This book found a home at Superromance and four books later, my editor asked, “So what else have you got?” I mentioned WONDERS, although I warned her that it was “too different' for Superromance. She bought it in less than a week. WONDERS is different very different, but every reader letter I've received mentioned the word “fun.”
But, in addition to writing, I love yoga (keeps me from turning into a hunched back crone), gardening (aren't sweet peas the most fragrant, glorious gift of spring?) and baby-sitting my eight-month old granddaughter. She is such a delight. I'm keeping a journal so all of my future stories with babies will be accurate (at least, by Malte standards).
In A COWBOY SUMMER, I have two strong characters, Anne and Will, who followed their dreams right out of high school, but fifteen years later are drawn home for the summer. Each has achieved success in their chosen careers. He's a professional bull rider; she's in the management level of a national hotel chain. They've returned to the Silver Rose Guest Ranch in western Nevada to fulfill an obligation to A.J. Cavanaugh, Will's grandfather and Anne's stepfather. Added to the mix is my heroine's nine-year old asthmatic daughter, Zoey. Anne is a single parent with a demanding job. Her focus is her daughter and her job. Period. Will has never wavered from his goal of being a national champion, but a recent injury has made his future in the sport questionable. A summer on the ranch isn't something either would choose, but A.J. doesn't give them a choice. He calls in old favors to fulfill a promise that can't wait. “It's just for the summer,” he tells them. “What's the worse that could happen?” For Anne and Will, that would be falling in love. Take a minute to visit Debra at her website: http://www.debrasalonen.com/ |
