Interview Olga Button

by

Kate Henry Doran

Over the weekend of July 24 and 25, 2004 Olga Button was gracious enough to allow this first-time author to interview her. It was great fun getting to talk to a "veteran" Wings author. We're grateful for her time and patience.

What can you tell us about your personal life?

I am a recent widow and still live in the country as I like the quiet out here. My three sons are married with children. Two of my grandsons come out to help with the work which needs to be done outside.

I see that your first published novel was "Phoenix Farm", and your second was "Run Joy Run". How do these contrast/compare to your upcoming release "Eagle's Nest".

"Phoenix Farm" was inspired by a news article about a wealthy farmer who hired aliens but never paid them, then buried them on his farm. "Run Joy Run" was therapy for me because as a teenager I was placed in a cult with an arranged marriage [deranged is a better word]. So "Joy" is from true experience and watching people around me. "Eagle's Nest" came out of the blue. I watched a man struggle with the system over the care of his children. Also, I had a lot of input on the story from my script-writers' group, Pen Tales.

Of your three novels, do you have a personal favorite?

Yes, "Run Joy Run" for reasons mentioned above.

Where else do you find ideas for your books, "Eagle's Nest" in particular?

Ideas come from the news or magazines, or just watching and listening to people. But, sometimes, ideas just pop into my head when I'm writing about the characters. I just wrote a script called, "One Night With Jack". My producer, Paul Tompkins, told me to write about my husband and myself. I punched it up a lot, finished the script, and he liked it. Now I'm writing the novel based on the script. George dies from a fall and turns into a ghost who throughout the story torments Bessie about little irritations. Had I known my husband would pass away shortly after its completion, I would never have had the nerve to write the story. It will eventually become a movie.

Do you belong to any writers' groups and do you find them valuable?

Groups are very important to me. I belong to CORA: Central Oklahoma Roundtable of Authors; OkCity Writers; Word Warriors and Play Pens, a screenwriters group.

What attracted you to Wings e-Press?

It's policy and staff; its fairness and great books. And Lorraine Stephens, who is a very special person.

What are some of the joys of being a Wingnut?

I'm sorry I'm not a Wingnut just now, just a nut. I was receiving more mail than I could handle.

When you're not writing, what do you do for fun?

Writing is my fun. Attending groups is fun. We make fun, or watch movies, and socialize a bit. Writers are so great. When I retire, I'll go back to art work.

What authors do you read for pleasure?

In the past, I've read Mary Higgins Clark, V.C. Andrews, Stephen King, Barbara Kingsolver, and lately, many good authors at Wings.

What person has made a strong impact on your life?

Top of the list is Lorraine Stephens; Catherine Johnson, script teacher; Paul Tompkins, producer; plus many, many more authors in the writers' groups.

Thank you so much, Olga for taking the time out of your schedule to answer our questions. We look forward to reading "Eagle's Nest".