Interview Irene Pascoe

by

*lizzie starr

1) Interviews can seem daunting, so I’ll start out with an easy question. What do you have for a wallpaper and/or screen saver on your computer?

I love looking at my computer wallpaper. It’s a picture of my cherished back yard flower garden in full springtime bloom of hot pink, white and lavender dwarf rhododendrons and azaleas. The raised bed garden (the view from my living room window) is set off by a tan cobblestone retaining wall. Centered in the garden, and built at the base of a cedar tree that was logged off in 1890, is a three-tiered fountain. There are lush green native plants, a backdrop of tall evergreen trees as well as feeders for squirrels, birds, and hummingbirds. My screensaver is a collection of family pictures.

2) And of course, what would this interview be without the usual question… please tells us a little about Dark Tides.

When Rachel Montgomery arrived at the palatial Phillips estate in Hawaii, she was startled to discover that her host--the handsome Drew Phillips--had a brother. But that was only the beginning of the surprises that awaited her on the idyllic island…

There was the unexplainable hostility of the servants--and the disturbing whispers about a mysterious woman named Claudia.

Then, finally, a sinister turn of events threatened Rachel’s very life and forced her to choose between two brothers--only one of whom could be trusted to protect her from the darkness that descended upon them…

3) Which came first in Dark Tides--the story, the characters or the setting?

The creative process for me always begins with the setting. All of my books have been set in places I have visited. My love of the place triggers the need to delve into its rich history. Dark Tides was inspired by my first visit to Maui.

4) Another typical interview question--please, tell us a little bit about yourself beyond the bio blurb at the back of the book.

Well, like most of us, I always have too many things to do and I race through each day trying to accomplish it all. I’m a total family person and spend a lot of time with my children and grandchildren. I love the outdoors, hate to exercise but force myself to workout daily, and I stick to a healthy diet. However, I abandon the healthy diet when we travel, which is once or twice a year, and totally indulge in all the rich, fattening foods I deny myself during the rest of the year. And I love my computers. We have four of them in the house and I’ve taught myself how to network them as well as do all the troubleshooting stuff. I’m now in the process of teaching myself computer animation and graphics, just for the fun of it, and because I love challenges. So far, my biggest challenge was home schooling my oldest grandson from 6^th grade through high school. In his last two years of high school, he also attended community college. It was a struggle at times to keep him on track and focused, but we made it! Now I’m guiding him through full time college.

5) And some writing questions--What is your writing routine like? Do you have a set schedule or go with the flow? How long does it take you to write a book? What do you do to relax after writing? (Boy, that’s a lot all at once, huh?)

That is a lot, but here goes. I have another gothic romance in the works, but I’ve kind of set it aside for now in preparation for an upcoming transatlantic cruise to Lisbon, Portugal with my husband and dear friends. My brain operates better in the morning, so when I’m writing I get an early start and work for about four hours straight. When I was under contract with Harlequin, Berkley Publishing Group, and Kensington, I finished novels in about three months. I really work much better and faster under the pressure of a contract. I am a Capricorn and Capricorns are painfully organized, so I could never just go with the flow in writing.

6) Has anyone been an influence or catalyst to your writing? How so?

Almost from the day I began writing I was fortunate to belong to a wonderful support/critique group. Without those warm-hearted, talented and hardworking authors/aspiring authors/ friends, I would never have become published. Bless them for sticking with me through all the highs and lows of my writing career,

7) When you’re not writing, what are some of your favorite things to do?

I mentioned it all above. Oh, I did leave out one thing; I’m the family travel agent. I love pulling together trips. I’m currently working on my oldest daughter’s honeymoon trip for this coming August.

8) What’s the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

Challenging myself to become published and accomplishing that challenge. Equally, all the friends I’ve made along the way. Writers are the most wonderful and helpful group of people.

9) What’s next from the pen of Irene Pascoe?

I’m several chapters into another gothic romance. This one is set in Philadelphia at the beginning of the Civil War. My heroine sails from her home in Belfast, Ireland, during the Naval Blockade, to assume guardianship of her two young, orphaned cousins. But of course someone does not want her there and her life is in peril.

Thanks, Irene, for sharing with us!