Interview Carol Parsons

by

Lori Libby

1. Is Mystery At Eagle Harbor Lighthouse your first book?

This is my first children's book.

2. What is your book about?

Three children move into the haunted Eagle Harbor lighthouse in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They discover that they can go back in time through the lighthouse, all the while being chased by Bruce, who wants to kill them.

3. Where did you get the idea for your book?

I am fascinated by history and lighthouses, and I wanted to teach children how fascinating history really can be. I wanted to find a way to teach kids in a fun way, so I turned it into an exciting mystery.

4. What does a typical writing routine look like for you?

I don't really have a routine. I mostly write when the mood strikes me or an idea hits me to write about. I really should have a routine though, because I would get a lot more writing done.

5. Do you outline or make it up as you go along?

I usually do a chapter by chapter outline. That way I know I have a good enough idea to cover a whole book. It also helps me stay on track and not wander off into a whole other direction.

6. Who is your favorite character from this story?

I think my favorite character is Bruce, who is after the children and trying to kill their father.

7. What are you working on right now?

I have a couple of children's books in the works. One that takes kids to the Pacific where their father has built a new amusement park. The kids think it's the greatest thing ever until they find out that it is haunted by the men that were killed at war.

8. What do you do when you aren’t writing?

I will be promoting my new novel. Other than that, I take care of my own children and the house. I busy myself in my free time with exercising, reading, and being on the computer.

9. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Writer's block. I can go for a few weeks or even a few months without being able to write anything at all, and then all of a sudden, I start to write again. I also have difficulty with grammar and no matter how much I study it, it just doesn't sink in.

10. Is there anything that you want to say that I haven’t asked yet?

I have always wanted to teach children. I think most of them have a difficult time learning about history. I know I did when I was young, and still do, sometimes. So my goal in writing these novels was to find a more exciting way to teach them. My novels are spooky mysteries that I hope everyone will enjoy.