ROCCO welcomes author Barbara Schlichting!

Meow!

My guest this week is author Barbara Schlichting!

• Tell us a little about your background

Barbara Schlichting was born and raised in Minneapolis and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt high school in 1970. She and her husband moved their family to Bemidji, Minnesota, in 1979. She attended Bemidji State University where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education and special education. Ms Schlichting has been married for forty-four years and has two grown sons who have blessed her with five grandchildren and two great grandsons.

• Tell us a bit about your First Lady mystery series. What was the inspiration?

I’ve always loved American history.  It was my favorite subject in school and the First Ladies were top of the list.  I was able to get signed photos of each of the living First Ladies which spurred me onward to writing the series.  What’s not to like about Dolley Madison?  She may have been the first First Lady to introduce ice cream to the White House.  How American can you get?

• How do you “get to know” your characters before and while you’re writing the books?

As the middle child and only girl in my family, I played constantly with dolls.  My character, Liv, had to love dolls as much as I do and also love history.  While writing, I continued to learn about my characters, their likes and dislikes. 

·       How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I gave up on outlining a very long time ago.  I have a horrible time staying on track.  The characters like to take me all over and I have to rein them in. I usually have an idea that I build upon.

• Which do you consider more important, plot or character?

I’m more character driven than plot.  The characters have to fit the plot.

• What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?

The biggest challenge is to keep history fresh and relevant.  A sprinkling at a time is how the readers will learn bits and pieces of little known historical facts.

• Do you have an “How I got my agent” story you want to share?

I gave up on agents. Since my series has historical facts it’s hard to know where it should be marketed.

• What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

Currently, I’m putting the finishing touches on the third in the series which features Edith Roosevelt.  The title hasn’t been decided upon.  Edith was Theodore’s second wife.  Since I graduated from T Roosevelt high school, it’s a must that I write a First Lady featuring his First Lady.

• What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?

I walk for thirty-forty minutes every morning before I strap myself to the computer where I’ll sit for three-four hours.  Sometimes it’s a good day for writing and other days, I play too long on social media.

• If you could take only three books with your for a year-long writing retreat in a gorgeous setting with no library, which three would you take?

Little Women, Ordinary Grace, and All the Light We Cannot See.

• What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

It took me over twenty years to get published.  Don’t under any circumstance, give up.  Keep writing and writing, then write some more.

• What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

In two weeks’ time, I visited my penpal of over fifty years in England for three days, flew on to Norway where I stayed on a sheep farm and was able to see where my great-grandparents immigrated from and see their respective houses.  I then flew to Liverpool, England and experienced the Magical Mystery Tour. I saw where the Beatles came from. After, I flew to Dublin, Ireland.  On a tour to northern, Ireland, I was able to walk on a rope bridge.  I had a magnificent time.

• What’s one thing your readers would be surprised to find out about you?

I studied the Norwegian language in high school.

• What question do you wish interviewers would ask? (And what’s the answer?)

Have you ever received correspondence from the White House?  Yes, of course!  First Lady Obama sent me a photo plus a letter on White House stationary and both signed by her.

•  Where can we learn more about you and your books?

My website is: http://www.barbaraschlichting.com

My blog is: https://barbaraschlichting.blogspot.com

Ebook link: http://a.co/4lOd53q

Amazon: https://amzn.com/1945467037

Just for Fun:

Night or Day?  .  Night

Dog or Cat? (answer carefully) 

Beach or Pool?   Beach

Steak or salad?  Salad

Favorite Drink?  Perfect Margarita

Favorite Book?  ORDINARY GRACE

Favorite TV Series?  Murder She Wrote

Favorite Movie?  Sound of Music

Favorite Actor: Robert Redford

Favorite Actress:  Julie Andrews

Dirty Martini or Pina Colada? Dirty Martini

Hawaii or Alaska? Hawaii

Finish this sentence:  If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be Louisa Mae Alcott___________________

If I had just one wish, it would be to laugh more._____________________________________

If I could trade places with anyone in the world, it would be _someone who has danced around the world.______

Find Barbara at 

WEBSITE http://www.barbaraschlichting.com

Please like my

FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarbaraSchlichting/

Please follow:

AMAZON: amazon.com/author/barbaraschlichting

TWITTER https://twitter.com/BSchlichting 

GOODREADS:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15196167.Barbara_Schlichting

FIRST LADY BLOG: https://barbaraschlichting.blogspot.com/

Barb will give away a copy of her latest book to one lucky commenter!  To enter, leave your email address with a comment in our comments section!  Winner will be chosen by random.org. Content ends midnight, October 21! US residents only.