I had an opportunity to interview Catherine Palmer, co-author of the Four Seasons of Marriage series with Dr. Gary Palmer. Visit the Summer Breeze Amazon by clicking on the book cover. For a review, click here.
Thanks so much, Catherine. It was fun getting to know you.
Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?
I’d love to be Mma Precious Ramotswe in Alexander McCall Smith’s series THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY. Mma Ramotswe is a loving, intelligent woman who does her best to help everyone she meets. She’s totally comfortable with her size 22 “traditional build” and her tiny white van. Most of all, she lives in Botswana. I grew up as the daughter of missionaries to Kenya, and I love Africa!
If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question -- what question would you ask of whom?
I’d ask Mahatma Gandhi why he never became a Christian even though he seemed to admire and understand Christ so well. I’d also love to have a nice long chat with Osama bin Laden. My number one question – What incident in your life initiated your hatred of Americans?
Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.
Nothing too strange. Just a lot of tea drinking.
If you could change something in any novel, what would you change about it and why?
I’d create more easily read versions of Jane Austen’s books so everyone today could enjoy them.
What crayon in the box describes you on a good day? Bad day? Which one do you aspire to be?
On a good day, I’m “Cornflower Blue.” On a bad day, I’m “Burnt Sienna.” I wish I could be “Turquoise.”
Pick one…..Pink iguana, purple cow, periwinkle giraffe. Which one and why? Can be negative or positive.
Periwinkle giraffe – no way! I grew up in Africa. That would be the first one taken down by the lionesses. Kwaheri, Giraffe.
Favorite turn of phrase or word picture, in literature or movie.
Mr. Darcy (in Pride and Prejudice): My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.
Elizabeth Bennet: That is a failing indeed.
If you were assured of writing a best-seller, what genre would it be? Give us a sliver of information, a characteristic or glimpse of a scene.
My favorite genres seem to change almost by the day. Maybe that’s why I write in so many of them. Right now, I’m in a Regency frame of mind. I’d introduce an arrogant lord to a spunky housemaid. Oh wait. I already did that in THE BACHELOR’S BARGAIN!
What period of history intrigues you the most?
That’s a tough one. I love history. Right now I’m into the Regency, but I’d also like to know more about ancient sub-Saharan Africa, British-era India, and medieval England.
What would you write if there were no rules or barriers? (epic novels about characters in the Bible, poetry, greeting cards, plays, movies, instruction manuals, etc.)
I love writing books, but I’d also enjoy writing screenplays.
What makes you feel alive?
People. I especially love being around people with a multitude of nationalities, skin colors, languages, and backgrounds. That’s where I’m most at home.
How does something worm its way into your heart? Through tears, truth, humor or other?
I have to admit I’m a sap. I am SO drawn to sad, heartbreaking stories. On the other hand, if it’s a book or a movie, I must have a happy ending. If it’s real life, then I’m inspired to do whatever I can to help turn the sadness into joy.
Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.
A very long trip? My husband, of course! I totally love that guy. We’re coming up on our 30th wedding anniversary.
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
Easy. I’d go back to childhood – to Mombasa on the coast of Kenya with my mom and dad and my sister. We’d stay in our favorite thatch-roofed house with sea breezes wafting through the windows. We would walk on the white sand, snorkel out to the reef, collect shells, and stroll down to a beach-side hotel to get big glasses of mango juice. Those were the happiest days of my life.
Favorite season and why?
Believe it or not, I don’t like seasons. How ironic for an author writing about THE FOUR SEASONS OF MARRIAGE. Ha! Having grown up on the equator in a land of eternal flowers, occasional rains, and plenty of sun all year round, I’d love to live that way again.
Favorite book setting and why?
Right now, Regency. I love the clash of the classes.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
When a reader tells me that my book brought them closer to the Lord or strengthened their faith in some way, I’m touched to tears. That is my goal.
What criticism has cut the deepest and why?
I try not to focus on the negative. It makes it hard for me to write if I’m discouraged.
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
I’d spend time with all the people I love the most. I’m really looking forward to going to heaven, though, so I wouldn’t be panic stricken.
What is your favorite word?
Love.
What word annoys you more than any other?
Dental floss (okay, that’s two words)
Favorite chore
Weeding my garden on a cool, non-buggy day.
Anything you’d do but don’t because of fear of pain? What is it? Ex. Bungee jumping, sky diving, running with scissors.
Scuba diving.
Grammatical pet peeve…sound off.
Apostrophes in the wrong place. Aaaarrrrrrgh!!!!
Societal pet peeve…sound off.
Nose picking in public. Don’t do it. Just don’t.
CREATIVE CORNER:
I’m going to leave this fascinating section to your readers! If you want to know how I handle creativity, please read my books. Being creative is what I’m all about.
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