Talkshow Thursday: Meet Sandra Merville Hart
Linda: Your latest book is the second in your Civil
War Romance series. Where did you get the idea for your story?
Sandra: I had a
feeling that there was a story waiting for me in Gettysburg. My husband and I
went there to find it. We started at the battlefield where I found Tennessee
regiments that fought the initial battle on the first day and were part of
Pickett’s Charge. We attended ranger talks and tours. An idea began to form.
Gettysburg has many
wonderful museums—we visited them. We took evening walking tours and walked the
town’s streets around the “Diamond” where women and children lived through a
nightmare. Then we returned to the battlefield.
Standing on Cemetery
Ridge at dusk, I stared at the open field crossed by Pickett’s Charge. Though
the land is peaceful now, it still tells a story. I also wanted to show what
the townspeople endured. The idea for A
Rebel in My House was born.
LM: You are an
editor for DevoKids.com. How does that affect you as a writer?
Sandra: Besides
editing the few submissions we receive, I write a lot of historical articles
for DevoKids.com. The three main areas I write for on the site are Adventures
in History, God’s World, and Holiday Traditions. This task has honed my skills
for writing articles. Even a 200-300 word article requires research; I’ve
become a better researcher. Learning where to find free images to enhance the
post helped me for my own Historical Nibbles blog.
LM: Your website
is full of fascinating historical information. Have you always enjoyed history
or did something in your past spark an interest?
Sandra: Thank you! I’m thrilled that you like my
blog. I had a great history teacher in high school. She brought history to
life. It was the first time I thought of historical figures as people who
struggled and triumphed as we all do. Then I took an elective in college for
World War I. The teacher grabbed my attention the first night and held me
spellbound with fascinating, behind-the-scenes, glimpses of the history.
My fascination with the
Civil War began as a child with stories of brother against brother and father
against son. I wanted to know more, even when in elementary school.
LM: Do you have
an intriguing research story to share?
Sandra: When I went
to research in Gettysburg for this novel, I decided to pay for a private ranger
tour. I asked our Battlefield Guide, Clay Rebert, if there were any Tennessee
regiments in the battle. I told him I was researching for a novel and didn’t
have a clear idea of the story line yet. I study the history first and then the
story solidifies. Our guide tailored the tour for my research and even missed
part of his lunch hour. I had offered him my homemade chocolate chip cookies
during the tour. He declined. My husband assured him that my cookies receive
lots of compliments. He was very gracious and knowledgeable, answering all the
questions I had at the time. When he missed part of lunch because of our tour,
he accepted a couple of cookies and a bottled water. I hope that tided him
over!
LM: What do you
do to prepare yourself for writing? For example do you listen to music or set
up in a specific place?
Sandra: I write in my office. I turn on a box fan
to mask background noise. That helps me focus.
LM: You seemed to
have done a lot of traveling. If money were no object, what is your idea of the
ultimate vacation?
Sandra: Most of the
traveling I’ve done has been for family vacations, conferences, and research. Often
I don’t look for inspiration—it finds me. People and places with a history
inspire me. Many stories fester for months and years before they enter my
conscious thoughts. I’d love to tour Revolutionary War cities like Boston and
Philadelphia. I’d also love to travel Route 66 at some point to see some of the
family businesses that survived all these years. There’s a story idea there …
LM: What is your
next project?
Sandra: Thanks for asking! I am writing a Civil War
novel set primarily in Tennessee. A friend told me that a husband and wife
served in the Confederate Army together. That sparked lots of research! An idea
was born for a very different story. My working title for the new novel is A Lady in My Regiment.
LM: That sounds intriguing! Where can
folks find you on the web?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.hart.7
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sandra_M_Hart
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sandramhart7
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8445068.Sandra_Merville_Hart
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/100329215443000389705/posts
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sandra-Merville-Hart/e/B00OBSJ3PU/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Watch the trailer here
Buy the book! https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-House-Sandra-Merville-Hart/dp/1941103383/
Thank you for hosting me on your wonderful blog, Linda! I enjoyed being here.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
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