Interview Shirley K. Wolford

by

Cheryl N. Warner

1) Please tell me how your writing career began. What prompted or inspired you to sit down and write that very first novel?

I knew I wanted to be a writer back in grammar school, and actually wrote several short stories for our high school magazine. I took the usual creative writing classes in college (NYU) but they only lead to descriptive episodes.

My husband and I thought that there had not been enough fiction written about the Mexican war as there had been about the Civil War. So, we wrote Green Grow The Rushes in an attempt to fill the void. This sold within a week of sending it to an agent. Dodd, Mead published it in hard over and Bantam books in paperback, renamed Dragoon.

2) The Voice of the Turtledove--the title is intriguing. Can you explain a little about how and why you chose it? Do you come up with titles for your books before, during, or after you write a story?

The Voice of the Turtledove is part of a quotation from the song of songs which is Solomon's. "For low! Spring has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard threw the land". I usually find my titles after the book is partially written. Generally by that time a title has jumped out at me.

3) Where does the story take place?

On Catalina Island, Ca., which is off the coast of San Diego. I chose it because it is isolated and difficult to get to. Our hero goes to work in an airplane!

4) When you're writing, do you place yourself in the middle of the action or are you on the outside looking in?

I place myself in the middle of the action.

5) In which genre do you write? Do you plan on authoring books in any other genre?

I write romance--historical--mystery and modern. I probably would not write in another genre.

6) If you could travel back in time, what era would you choose and why?

Any part of the 19th century--that's when America was growing.

7) How many books have you written?

I have had 19 books published--one made into a movie and I am currently writing a western.