Interview with Heidi M. Thomas

www.heidimthomas.com

Let’s get some of the typical interview questions out of the way first. When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?

I like to say I was born with ink in my veins. I’ve always written stories, from the time I began to write and spell.

Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publishing?

It’s been a long road. I started writing fiction in 1993 with a series of original fairytales that I still hope to get published one day. In 1996, I began my first novel, which will actually be the third in my series. The novel I’ve just had published, Cowgirl Dreams, was started in 1999. It’s taken ten years to finally get to this point.

Tell us a little bit about either your latest or upcoming release. If you could only tell your readers one thing about the story that had to convince us to buy the book, what would it be?

Cowgirl Dreams is based on my grandmother who, as a teenager, rode bucking steers in Montana rodeos during the 1920s. You don’t have to be “into westerns” to read this book. Dreams are the same, whether in the 1920s or today.

What, or who, has been the greatest inspiration for your stories?

My grandmother, of course, for this book. And my dad who told me many anecdotes of family history, which are the basis for all of my books so far.

Let’s hear about your family, who I’m sure are thrilled to have a published author among them!

My seven-year-old grandniece recently asked her mom, “Is Aunt Heidi famous now?” and she took the book to school for Show & Tell. My husband and family on both our sides are my biggest supporters—I couldn’t have done this without them.

Now for some fun facts. What’s your greatest comfort food?

Chocolate!

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning?

Make coffee, read a Bible study, and either read manuscripts that I’m editing or read books about writing.

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

I don’t have many pairs of shoes, and the only cowboy boots I have belonged to my grandfather.

Everyone asks the question about “if you could be a tree, which tree would you be?” so I want to know: If you could be a color, which color would it be, and why?

Red. It’s bright and courageous and confident, things I need to help me promote myself and my book.

Who is your favorite cartoon character?

Rose, in “Rose is Rose” (newspaper comic strip) because when she needs courage, she morphs from her quiet, nice-gal self into a motorcycle babe—strong and assertive.

Which cartoon character is most like you?

Maybe the Roadrunner—because he never gives up!

If you could beam yourself to anywhere in the world (“Beam me up, Scotty!”), during any time in history, where and when would it be—and why?

I would love to go back to about 1923 and watch my grandma ride those steers.

So what’s your favorite type of music to listen to?

I enjoy all types, depending on my mood, from classic rock to classical. Favorite musical artists? That changes with whatever song or piece I’m “into” at the moment—from Il Divo to Brooks and Dunn.

Do you listen to music while you’re writing?

I do sometimes and sometimes I like the quiet while I’m writing. I’ll listen either to classical like Mozart because it stimulates the brain or, since I’m working on western stories, I might listen to country music to put me in the mood.

Do you have any favorite T.V. shows?

I like music-related shows like American Idol, America’s Got Talent, or Dancing with the Stars. I also like the CSI or Law & Order and House TV shows.

Movies you watch over and over again?

I don’t usually watch movies over.

What was the last movie you saw at the theater?

My husband & I usually get our movies from Netflix, so the last one in the theater was Star Wars.

You have the chance to give one piece of advice to your teen readers. What would it be?

Dare to dream. Find your passion, set a goal and go for it. Learn, practice and persevere. For example, in my writing, I received 36 rejections before my first book was published. Many well-known authors have received up to 100 rejections before being published.

One last question. What stories can we look forward to from you in the future?

I have a sequel to Cowgirl Dreams, with a working title of Follow the Dream, and two more books in the series about strong, independent women from Montana.

Again, thanks so much for joining us at TeensReadToo.com!