Interview Teagan Oliver

by

Roberta Olsen Major

1) If your book were a cookbook, would the recipes be sweet, complicated or extra spicy?

They would most definitely be short and sweet, or something that takes a long time to cook and comes out as something that delivers sheer comfort. Ironically, I am a horrible cook. However, I love cookbooks of all kinds and the history and tradition behind the recipes, especially the regional ones.

2) What experiences in your life have brought you to this point of the publication of The Three Truths Of Katie Talmadge?

Everything in my life has gotten me to this point. I'm a firm believer that we are all exactly where we need to be at that time. Sounds strange, I know. But Three Truths is a great example of a culmination of events that started with my chaperoning my nephews Jr. High class on a trip to Salem (he's now 21). It was there that the idea of the book began to form in my mind. I made several other trips to Salem over the years and each time the book kept nagging at me until one night as I raced for time on computer against an approaching thunderstorm that I got the outline for the book completed. The other part of this story is Simon's struggle to deal with his guilt over his wife's death from cancer. At the time I wrote Three Truths my mother was going through treatment for colon cancer for the second time. Unfortunately, she didn't last to see my books in print, but she was a wonderful inspiration and this story is as much hers as it is mine.

3) What is the most satisfying thing for you about writing? The most frustrating?

Probably the most satisfying thing for me is the reaction of those who read my stories. When someone tells me that they couldn't put my story down or that they were moved to tears then I know that I've written the stories that I've always wanted to write. Stories that touch people.

The most frustrating would be just finding the time to write the stories within me. I work full time outside the house and have two kids and a husband who are patient. But sometimes the hardest part is actually making myself ignore the laundry and the vacuuming and just write.

4) Is Halloween your favorite holiday of the year, or was it just the best time of year for the setting of your story?

Naturally, the idea of setting a book in Salem at Halloween is a draw. It's a truly amazing time there. A time when people are very proud of who they are and individuality. The Mistrals Ball is my own creation, but the celebrations that go on in Salem at Halloween are most definitely real.

5) How are you and the character of Katie alike? How different?

I was very much like her when I was young, a bit naive, a bit scared to take on the world. But now that I've matured (ahem), I'm actually closer to the character of Simon's aunt. The relationship between my nephew and I is very much the same as Simon and Rita's. I've been truly blessed to have a nephew who thought I was the "cool aunt".

6) Do you believe in fate? In magic? J

Most definitely I believe in fate and I'm a firm believer that we make our own magic. So many people spend their lives adhering to what they think they should do or be when only one step out of that path could put them in another truly exciting and fulfilling experience. 

7) Are you working on something else, now that The Three Truths Of Katie Talmadge is published? If so, what? Same genre?

I write both sweet paranormal and romantic suspense and I always have at least one or two books going at a time. But the idea of setting another book in Salem is very tempting.

8) What are the Three Truths of Teagan Oliver? J

Truths of Teagan

1. Never give up... if it's something that you want then persevere. It took me 12 years to get published.

2. A good attitude will bring good things... Being positive never hurt anyone, but it sure can help them.

3. Hug your mom... your kids... your husband... your cat. Because you never know when you won't have that opportunity again.

9) What do you wish I had asked you?

I think we've covered most everything. I only hope that the readers enjoy this story as much as I did writing it. Thank you to Wings for letting me share it.