Interview with Sara Olds

by

Mary S. McGuire

I would like to introduce Sara V. Olds, one of our premier authors with Wings Press.

 In order to facilitate your readers understanding of you, Sara, I would like to ask you a few questions.

Sara: Shucks, Mary--premier, eh? (blush!) thanks!

Mary: I know you serve as an editor with Wings; and, does this give you a different perspective than an author alone might have?

Sara: Chuckle--I d say so. I find I can see little habits in my own writing I don t think I would ve noticed otherwise.

Mary: Along these same lines, what writing suggestions can you share with an aspiring author?

Sara: Write, write, write. As someone completes a full length novel, simply the experience is educational. But it s important to go out and learn your craft and for historicals? KNOW your stuff!! There s nothing I hate more than anachronisms! (you know, people driving in cars in the mid-1800 s--stuff like that!)

Mary: You are primarily a historical and young adult author. Do you write in any other genre? If so, what are they?

Sara: I also write contemporary things and science fiction (space opera)

Mary: Where and how do you find your ideas?

Sara: I had to stop and think about this one, but I ve realized that what I do is create a character or set of characters who find their own way into history and I build the stories around them. For instance, Kim, my heroine in BRIGADIER would not work well in a contemporary. Nor would she function well in other places in history. Her courage and stubbornness are needed right where she is in WWII.

Mary: How much time do you spend in researching your historical novels before you undertake the actual writing of the work?

Sara: It depends. This World War II series, of which BRIGADIER is the first to be published by Wings, uses much knowledge gained over several years. My eyes and ears are always open hoping to gather more information. Most of my historicals are based in periods I already know a great deal about (I have a masters in History)--so I don t usually need to wait to start the novel before I "finish researching" an era.

Mary: I understand you have an interest in music, perhaps the violin?

Sara: Ah, my secret is out. Yes, I play and teach the violin. I also enjoy singing.

Mary: Does this musical bent affect your writing? Has the musical ear also given you an "ear" for your written work?

Sara: You know, I m not really sure. I do receive many compliments on my conversation in my stories--that they "sound" real. It may be that my musical training helps me. However, my musical life and my writing life (except for one specific YA book) are quite separate.

Mary: Would you please tell us something about your new book? BRIGADIER, I believe it is called.

Sara: BRIGADIER shares the story of Kim Thomson and Mark Lansing, both Americans serving in Britain during WWII. Mark is a B-17 bomb group commander and Kim, after doing well at an experimental training program to create female pilots, comes under his command. Not to be a pilot, however, much to her frustration. The story of their discovery of the importance of courage and love is BRIGADIER’s theme.

Mary: Are there any other facets of your life or your writing you would like to share with us?

Sara: Let s see--my first and most important job is being a mom. I m lucky enough to be able to stay home with my children and have a husband who supports my dream and love of writing enough to help me accomplish that. So thanks to my children and thanks to him!

Mary: Thank you so much for being with us today and continued success with your writing career.