CTR: Let’s welcome author Ginger Simpson. I might add that I am a big fan of her very historically accurate and also exciting western and Native American stories so am very honored to talk to her today. First, Ginger, can you please give us a bit of information about the book or books you’re sharing today. At least ISBN, Publisher and buy link please! Also the genre and heat level if applicable.
GS: Today, I’m going to talk about Sarah’s Journey, which is one of my favorites among my published books. You can find Sarah at Eternal Press in download and in print at Amazon.com. The ISBN number is 978-1-897559-01-7 – Ebook
ISBN-10: 1926647084 – Print
ISBN-13: 978-1926647081 – Kindle
CTR: What is your favorite historical period or region and why? Did you enjoy history while you were in school or was it frankly boring? How would you suggest we teach history to kids now—(i.e.) can fiction maybe be a tool here? Do you think we can and should learn from the past or is it now irrelevant to modern times and issues?
GS: American history has always been a favorite. Some of my best grades in High School were obtained in that class. I seem to be stuck in the old west, though, because I heard so many stories from my grandmother about how tough life was for her and her predecessors. Watching westerns at home was commonplace, and country music played a part in my upbringing. It’s often said if you play a country song backwards you’ll get your dog back, your truck back, your wife back…*lol*
I truly believe that encouraging the younger society to read historical fiction can help make it less boring for those who find it intolerable. Credibility as an historical author is very important, and although the characters and location may be fictional, the facts are historically accurate if the author has done their research. Those who don’t, won’t last long writing the genre. The more I write about the 1800s, the more I learn.
As far as learning from the past…we haven’t. There are always going to be those who need to bully others. People can’t play nice and learn from past mistakes. Collectively, we bullied one another in the civil war, mistreated slaves, slaughtered Indians, and now, as one United States of America, we still assume that our way of life is what others want and shove it down their throats. Nope…I don’t think we’ve learned much at all. In Sarah’s Journey, the prejudice that existed then is still a very real part of life. What a shame.
CTR: Do you think historical accuracy is important in fiction? How about the use of modern speech and politically correct ideas instead of those that faithfully portray the period? Do you find this good, bad, a necessary evil or something you shun?
GS: As I said above, any author who wants to maintain credibility as an historical writer, must research every aspect of the period he/she writes about. Nothing draws a reader out of the story faster than speech or equipment that doesn’t fit the period. I spend countless hours using the Etymology on-line dictionary to assure that I’m not using terms before the time they originated. Mom and Dad, kids, okay…don’t belong in the old west. Ma, Pa, Mama, Papa, children, all right are “timeline†correct.
CTR: Can you share a favorite author and title that perhaps inspired you to write in the historical genre?
GS: I’m sure eventually everyone will know this answer because I use it in every interview. Laura Ingalls Wilder and all her Little House on the Prairie books have inspired me since grade school. She snatched me from my mundane life and moved me into her house and let me witness life from her perspective. If I can do that as well as she did, then I have achieved a goal. Someone once compared one of my stories to her, and I was so awed I cried.
CTR: Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving family tradition or story to share? Does the old “Over the river and through the woods to grandma’s†verse resonate with you in terms of childhood memories or stories you heard or was your family pattern quite different? How about a recipe that you associate with this harvest and thankfulness time of year? What is your favorite dish of your family or circle’s traditional feast?
GS: Holidays used to mean so much more. As loved ones have passed, Thanksgiving doesn’t hold the excitement it once did. Where twenty people once sat at a decorated table in a room filled with delicious aromas and sampled each delicious offering, now only a handful are left. A rift between those remaining preclude our gathering to celebrate days we used to look forward to with anticipation. Instead of the excitement I once felt to see relatives I hadn’t seen for a while and spend a day enjoying their company, I now am saddened by memories of better days. However, I do have one tradition that I uphold yearly. My family is a mixture of agnostic, Jewish and Gentile, but I do insist that on Thanksgiving and Christmas days we all hold hands and give thanks. I’m always the appointed “prayee,†but to me, that’s what those days are all about.
CTR: If there was such a thing as a time machine where would be the first place you would go once you had a ticket to ride? Do you think you’d want to stay or just look around and then come right back to today?
GS: Of course, I would exchange my ticket for a ride to Tombstone in the 1800s. I’d love to meet Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the rest of the crew. I certainly wouldn’t stay long because my grandson lives in the here and now. He’s my heart and what keeps me going.
CTR: Where can our readers find out more about you and your writing? Please share your web site, social network pages, blogs or any other contact areas you maintain.
GS: I love to blog, so mine is pretty active. I’m always happy to have guests on Dishin’ It Out because I believe in supporting my peers. The url is http://mizging.blogspot.com
I also recently “created†a new website…one I can keep current. I’d love to have everyone stop by and appreciate my hard work…and also see my stunning covers. http://www.gingersimpson.com
I’m also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mizging
And Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mizing
Oh…it’s been a while since I’ve visited my Myspace page, but I’m there too…http://www.myspace.com/mizging
CTR: Thanks so much Ginger for being part of our November event and please come back whenever you have a book to share that fits the theme or just to visit with us!!
GS: Thank you for allowing me to be part of the event. Time spent with AzGaye is never a waste of time…I think I know you from somewhere. *lol* Oh, and I’ll be back. I’ve got lots to talk about.
0 COMMENTS
Yadira A.
14 years agoHi Ginger!
That’s awesome that you had a grandmother to relate her stories of the old west to you. Do you use any of it in your stories?Did you like Tombstone the movie?
yadkny@hotmail.com
Ginger
14 years agoYadira,
Love your name. I have used bits and pieces, especially speech my grandmother used. She definitely spoke “hillbilly” and I feel a little of her inspiration in most of my historicals. I loved Tombstone…too bad the real guys weren’t as handsome as those who played the part. 🙂
Karen Cote
14 years agoI knew I liked you Ginger. Everything you said resonated in my heart. You are a very lovely person. Laura Ingalls Wilder? She’s my kind of Diva.
Pauline Baird Jones
14 years agofun interview, Ginger! congrats on the book!
Joan Hall Hovey
14 years agoI wish my grandmothers had told me more stories of their own lives. I wish I had thought to ask more questions when I was a girl. I have to imagine those stories based on comments made to me from time to time. How wonderful, Ginger. Your work shows the rich heritage she left!
Libby McKinmer
14 years agoJust don’t show up in Tombstone the day of the showdown at the OK Corral! I love historicals, too, and always appreciate the research that goes into them.
Libby
Jannine
14 years agoGinger, I’d love to be transported to the Old West, too. Wouldn’t it be fun if we could take day trips? LOL
Loved your interview.
Marie Higgins
14 years agoGinger, I love reading your blogs. They are always so entertaining. I would like to go back to the old west with you, so please don’t leave without me. I agree that we need to bring the adventure forth to our younger generation so they WANT to read more about history. I love researching history – which is probably another reason I love writing historicals. (grins)
~Marie~
Heather Haven
14 years agoLike so many other things she does, I think Ginger Simpson helps to elevate the use of the blog into a magazine article or newspaper status. Her work is always entertaining, enlightening and excellent. I can see her gathered around the holiday table, joining hands with those she loves, and giving heartfelt thanks. Little House on the Prarie, The Waltons, and Ginger Simpson. All Americana and wonderful.
Ginger
14 years agoThanks to all who came out to support me today. I’m so thankful to have friends like you. I tossed names into a bowl and drew Karen Cote as the winner of a PDF copy of Sarah’s Journey. Karen, please email me at mizging at gmail dot com and let me know where to send your prize.
Karen McGrath
14 years agoWell, I am too late for the giveaway but want to mention that this is such a heartwarming interview! Cool, Ginger!
Lorna Collins
14 years agoI’m so glad to hear you mention your credibility as an historical (hysterical?) writer. We’re doing a workshop at EPICon 22011 called “Do Your Homework.” In your genre, it is especially important. Although there are few genres where research isn’t important.
I’m so sorry to hear about your losing your Thanksgiving traditions – and family. ours is shrinking, too, as the older generation dies off and the younger ones move away. But we still have plans to meet at one of our homes – whoever can make it. And the younger ones really want to be with the rest of us. But there’s no pressure to do it a certain way or for anyone to be required to attend. We all just love each other and want to be together.
If you lived closer to Dana Point,CA you’d be very welcome to join us!
Barbara Ehrentreu
14 years agoGinger,
I enjoyed reading about your love of the old West. I don’t share it, but I did love Laura Ingalls Wilder and The Little House on the Prairie books.
Thank you, Coffee Time Romances for letting us know more about Ginger.:)
Brenda
14 years agoGreat interview Ginger! Like you, I would love to go back in time…I love history! Good luck with your books…you are an awesome writer!
Take care my friend!
Juliet
14 years agoYup, Time Travel is the thing many readers wants in a historical novel. Each to his own time period, though–Tombstone would be last on my list of places to visit–those were some pretty grim folks you want to meet!
Lorrie Unites-Struiff
14 years agoI, too, remember the days that Grandma would have everyone at her house for the holidays. And like you, our family has shrunk, moved, or passed on. They were immigrants, but none-the-less it was Gram that kept us all going, and together.
What lovely times. I miss them.
Keep up the great novels.
I’ve been thinking about doing a creative non-fiction about the man from PA, Sheffenfield, who discovered the silver mine that created Tombstone.
An interesting story in itself.
Good luck with the books.
P. L. Parker
14 years agoI almost got ran over in the rush! LOL Great interview.
Diane
14 years agoGinger, great interview. You’re so right about people not learning from history and the constant bullying. I thought the same exact thought the other day after hearing the world news.
I don’t need to win a copy of Sarah’s Journey, as I helped to critique it and already know what a fabulous read it is.
Janet Lane Walters
14 years agoGinger, I envy someone who writes historical fiction. I went through a period when I read many historical novels and then for some reason, turned to other genres. You’ve inspired me to begin again.
Barbara Hodges
14 years agoGinger, great interview. I wish you weren’t right about the those of the U.S. not learing from the mistakes from the past, but you are!
The same with the holidays, they were so different when I was growing up, but we’ve all drifted apart…very sad.
Larriane Wills
14 years agolike you i listened to stories from not just my grandmother, but her brother, sister, and cousins when ever i got the chance. those who don’t take the time to listen miss so much
Marva Dasef
14 years agoCool, Ginger.
I did a similar thing with my father’s stories about his boyhood in West Texas during the 30s. I call them his almost-true tall tales. 😉
Ginger Simpson
14 years agoWow…I’m awed at the number of friends who came to support me. Thank you so much for the kind comments and confidence building. I don’t know where I would be without my “internet” friends. Pretty lonely, I can tell you that.
kerri williams
14 years agoSorry I’m late but I’m a firm believer in support teams. great interview and I tell ya, I couldnt go back to the day of dirt- yuk. lol
talk another time
Kez
TAKING BACK HIS WIDOW
eternal press 7 feb 2011
kerriwilliams-writerofromance.blogspot.com
Maryann Miller
14 years agoGreat interview. I’m with you, I love the old west. And that Thanksgiving song, “Over the river and through the woods…” We used to sing that when we traveled from Michigan to West Virginia for Thanksgiving. My father would belt it at the top of his lungs when we got close to his hometown. Wonderful memories.
J Q Rose
14 years agoWe are storming CTR to be in on your excellent interview. Historical writers have a lot of responsibility to get the times correct for the reader AND to tell an entertaining story. Good for you. I love history too. Some black sheep in our family rode with Morgan’s Raiders and Morgan’s Terrible Men during/after the Civil War. I love the Civil War history.