Wednesday Book Interviews - Sarita & Cindy

Hi Sarita. Thanks for being here today. Tell us about your holiday release.

Snowdance is essentially the story of one woman’s life, told in its entirety on one snowy afternoon. Elinor Montoya has lived in the same home for nearly a century. Memories fill every corner, not only of her home but her heart as well. Elinor has never done anything spectacular—never flown to the moon, made millions in the stock market or written a bestselling novel. She is an ordinary woman, living an everyday life. Snowdance shows that even the most commonplace events have meaning and, as a whole, can turn even the ordinary into the extraordinary.

I love titles. How did you come up with this one?

I love titles, too. Honestly, this one came easy. Since childhood I’ve been fascinated with the way snowflakes “dance” through the air as they fall to the ground. They remind me of the way we dance through life, so when I decided to tell Elinor’s story it seemed a very logical title.

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

I did do some research, particularly for the chapters that deal with World War Two. The research was so intriguing that I’ve got a file filled with facts from the era. I’m still not sure where they will eventually end up, but I’m pretty certain there will be an upcoming book dealing with that time. There is just too much fascinating information to be wasted! I did investigate other items pertaining to Elinor’s life story. I learned about old cars, postal practices and wardrobes. It was all very interesting. I love to investigate and learn, so research is one of my favorite parts about writing a novel!

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

We live in the middle of nowhere and we get many winter snowstorms. We are often snowed in, sort of cut off from the world, so it wasn’t hard to imagine how an elderly woman would feel in a similar situation. Her most constant companions would be her memories… So there you have it. Elinor Montoya came from our real-life experiences.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

While there are a number of likeable characters in Snowdance, I’ve got to say I am in love with Elinor. I have a deep respect for those with age and wisdom, and Elinor has both. She is smart enough to know that her life has meaning. And she loves wholeheartedly and deeply. She is savvy, even without any of the so-called modern conveniences. I’ve been blessed to receive letters from readers who have fallen in love with Elinor, so I know I’m not the only one who thinks she’s super! It’s heartwarming to know my dear, elderly heroine has touched readers’ hearts. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Where can we get in touch with you and purchase your book?

I love hearing from readers, so please feel free to drop me an email anytime. My website has a contact link on it. My blog, From the Heart, has one as well. Snowdance is available from Whiskey Creek Press.
Thank you, Cindy, for having me here today. I’ve loved chatting with you. I’m thrilled to be part of your White Christmas Book Jubilee!

http://www.saritaleone.com/

http://saritaleone.blogspot.com/

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Here are the answers to my own questions. ;)

The Spirit of Christmas was my very first published book. I wrote it in the summer of 2006 in only six days. It was such a freeing, wonderful experience. And amazingly I received a contract for it right away. December 31st it will go out of print and I am a bit nostalgic about it.

This is a best friends romance. A Christmas romance. A story of learning and growing...and of course fun. I can't seem to write a story without some humor. My heroine, Kathryn, hates Christmas. Her friend and co-worker, Nick, loves the season and determines to bring back Kat's Christmas spirit through the use of Secret Santa.

I love titles. How did you come up with this one?

I knew right away that I wanted to name this story, The Spirit of Christmas, because that is exactly what it's about. In fact, I open the book with an anonymous quote:

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else

is outward display - so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn't the holly,

it isn't the snow. It isn't the tree not the firelight's glow. It's the warmth

that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.

-- Anonymous

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

I actually did no research for this book. My characters work for a local magazine. I worked for a small magazine like this myself so I used that experience in the story.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I started writing this book because I knew the publisher was looking for Christmas stories. I sat down and started to think up a plot and it came to me that I wanted to write a best friends story and that Secret Santa would be part of it. Then I just started writing and the story pulled me along.


Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Definitely Kathryn. I based her on Lois Lane and named her after the great newspaper woman--Katherine Graham. A few words to describe Kathryn: smart, attractive, stubborn, and sometimes abrasive. She is the type that puts on a hard exterior but inside she’s mush. She isn’t close to her family, so she puts everything she has into her job. She wants to be a part of the legitimate press instead of having to write all these “puff pieces,” as she calls them. You know, public interest stories. She doesn’t find them important enough. To quote her, “Give me a shoot out, bank robbery or a scandal any day of the week. Then I’ll be happy.” But when she's put on an orphan-home story, it brings some changes to her life.


Where can we get in touch with you and purchase your book?

You can keep up with me on this blog or my website--www.cindykgreen.com
The Spirit of Christmas can be purchased in print at Lulu or as an ebook on Fictionwise. It will go out of print at the end of this year.