Hi there everyone.

Just one more day until the weekend, oh how I am looking forward to that and I’m sure you all are too!

For tonight’s Author Interview, I would like to introduce you all to Lori Beasley-Bradley, as she takes us into her worlds of historical romance and historical fantasy fiction, so without further ado, let’s get cracking and on with the show.

 

Hi there Lori, so good of you to join us here today to talk about your written works and writing advice.

Let’s start with your novels that you have released this year – “The Green River War”, “Promises”, “Haunted Delphi: A Tale of the Black Bayou Witches”, “Man in Black” and “Moon of the Witch”. Can you give us a brief overview of each of these works, what the focus of each of the stories are and if any of the books are linked at all when it comes to the characters, do any of them cross over or are these all stand-alone novels? Furthermore does every book have a connection to witches/black magic or is that theme only common with some of them?

Moon of the Witch, Man in Black, and Haunted Delphi are all connected in that they relate to covens in my fictitious Black Bayou in southern Louisiana and to my first novel The Legend of the Swamp Witch. Promises is a contemporary romance with characters in their mid fifties and sixties. The Green River War is a Western that takes place in central Texas in the 1870’s. It’s a romance between a 40-year-old woman who’s been divorced by her abusive husband, but finds romance and a future with a 45-year-old drifter cowhand.

Last year you also released two books in a series called “The Soiled Dove Sagas”, a historical series set in the Old West dealing with prostitution in the 19th Century. Please tell us more about who your protagonists are and what angle you are taking with this particular saga when it comes to their points of view, story arcs and character motivations?

The Soiled Dove Sagas came to me after watching a History Channel documentary about prostitutes working the California Gold Fields. I was further inspired by the HBO Series, Deadwood, that did such an excellent job portraying the lives of women practicing prostitution in the Old West. My characters, Mattie Wallace and Roxie North meet in 1870 while traveling in a stage together and then on a Mississippi Riverboat. In the course of the three books they travel from St. Louis by way of Abilene, Kansas, Dodge City, Denver, Colorado Springs, and finally Prescott, AZ where the series wraps.

If any of your novels were to be made into movies (or even a TV series), who would you cast in the lead roles?

I’m 58 and don’t know the names of most of the young actors and actresses these days.

I’m afraid one of my books would have to be made in black and white with actors popular decades ago. I didn’t have any actors or actresses in mind for most of my books as I wrote them.

Angelique Clairvoux in The Legend of the Swamp Witch is mulatto and I pictured her as Halle Berry.

As I was writing The Green River War, I pictured my heroine, Millie as Sissy Spacek and Trevor Aimes as Tom Sellek in his mid-forties.

What do you find the most difficult thing about writing? And what do you find the easiest?

The hardest part of the writing game for me is not the writing, but the promotion. I always thought the writing was supposed to be the hard part. Not!

I have endless ideas. With a good outline program it’s simple to plot a story and with a basic knowledge of grammar, the writing is easy! Promoting my work is the struggle! I hate shameless self-promotion. My mother beat humble into my head as a child. Never brag on yourself! It’s rude! Now it’s required and I have a very hard time tooting my own horn.

Who are some of the authors and historical figures that inspire you?

In high school I read Dune and fell in love with Science Fiction, after high school I picked up a Darkover novel by Marion Zimmer Bradley and fell in love with Fantasy, now I read everything I can get my hands on by James Rollins or Steve Berry. As you can see, my reading has been all over the map. I would like to think that my writing has been inspired by them all.

What sort of research do you do to write your books?

I love history and enjoy the research into my subjects. The third book, Crown Queens was especially fun to write as it takes place in Prescott, AZ, and I was living in Arizona and quite familiar with the area. I’d walked the same streets my characters walked. Roxie and Mattie are both very forward thinking women, living in a time when the only women with any true freedoms were prostitutes. Women could not have their own money or hold property in their names. Prostitutes, however, managed it. (they generally knew all the dirt on the bankers and public officials.) It’s not widely know, but most social programs of the day were run by prostitutes. They ran food banks for the needy and paid for schools and libraries. They sponsored holiday parties and picnics. If it hadn’t been for a madam, the city of San Francisco would not have been rebuilt. She had cash hidden away and used that to make loans to men when all the banks had been destroyed and there was no federal deposit insurance.

When there were epidemics, doctors turned to prostitutes for nursing services and Madams gave their bordellos to be used as hospitals. Prostitutes were the women who won the west! Miners and cowpokes came west first, followed closely by prostitutes. Many of those married the miners and cowpokes. Then churches followed and towns were born. Book 1, The Ruby Queen is told from Mattie’s point of view as a 19-year-old coming into the business. Book 2 is told from Roxie’s point of view and takes the reader through rediscovering her lost husband and rekindling their romance. Book 3 is told from both women’s alternating points of view and their life in the rough-and-tumble territorial capitol of Prescott, Arizona and their individual Happily-Ever-Afters.

Why do you write? What inspired you to become a writer?

I was born in 1958 in a small town in southern Illinois. My father ran a small manufacturing plant making barstools for Sears and my mother was a nurse. I am the oldest of five children and grew up on a small self-sustaining farm.

I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve been reading. I was that kid in school who hid books behind her textbooks and read in class. I also wrote stories that got passed around during class. My teachers either loved me or hated me.

I tried writing short stories in the late 70’s and early 80’s, but got lots of rejection letters and gave it up. I continued to read, however. In 2009 I suffered a stroke and lost my ability to read for pleasure, though I could suddenly read and understand technical manuals, which I could not suffer before. In 2013 my daughter, Tiffany Rock wrote a YA novel and talked me into writing again. I sat down and wrote a novella. Soon after writing that, I found to my great joy, that I could read fiction again. The brain is a funny thing! I didn’t publish the novella, but enjoyed writing so much I wrote the Legend of the Swamp Witch in 2014.

What keeps you motivated during creative slumps? How do you deal with Writers Block?

I always have several projects sketched out on my laptop. If I become blocked while working on one, I set it aside and move on to another until the mood strikes me to go back to it.

Tell us more about your upcoming projects. Are you working on anything specific or have plans in the pipeline?

I’m currently working on a contemporary romance about a woman in her late fifties who goes back home to the small town where she grew up and strikes up a romance with a man she knew in school. She is remodeling her grandparents’ home and wakes up a ghost. Actually, the ghost has been visiting her dreams all her life, but she never realized it was a ghost. She’s used the image from her dreams to create characters for her romance novels. When she begins going out, she runs into acquaintances from high school and has to deal with the mean girls again and old flames. I started writing it as a ghost story, but it soon turned into a story about someone dealing with the reputation she made for herself forty years earlier. It’s called Dreams of Molly and should be live in early 2017.

A historical romance called Sweet Rewards will be live soon. It is set in New Orleans and on a sugar plantation outside New Orleans in 1876. I took the lead male character from The Ruby Queen, Charles Deveroe. He’s less of an ass in Sweet Rewards, but not much. When I was writing him, I pictured the actor Clark Gable.

You have access to a time machine. What advice would you give to your younger self?

I’d tell my younger self not to stop writing, find a critique group for guidance, and borrow the money to buy some stock in Apple and Wal-Mart! Then I could afford a publicist when I need one.

Finally, are there any nuggets of wisdom that you can impart to other aspiring writers?

I published my first book using CreateSpace, and haven’t stopped writing since. I’ll continue writing until I die. So never give up and keep writing!

And that’s a wrap! Thank you for chatting with us today Lori, look forward to delving into your books further 🙂

Bio:-

Lori Beasley Bradley was born in Southern Illinois and grew up in a very small town called Akin. She has done an in depth study of that village’s history and is planning a historical novel set there.

Lori has had a love of reading and writing since grade school. She has also been an avid historian, taking every available history class in school at every level. She owned two successful costuming businesses dedicated to Medieval and Renaissance re-enactors.

You can connect with Lori on the following Social Media channels:-

Blog/Website:-  Lori Beasley Bradley my writing
Facebook:- Lori Beasley-Bradley – Author (FB)
Twitter:- @treewitch1958 (Twitter)

You can buy her books here:-

Buy Lori Beasley-Bradley’s books in Canada

Buy Lori Beasley-Bradley’s books in the UK/Europe

Buy Lori Beasley-Bradley’s books in the US/Rest of the World

If you too would like to be interviewed on my blog at TooFullToWrite and you have a book or a series of books that you would like us to chat about then fill out the Contact Me form here with your details and we can arrange a future interview slot.

Still want more? Well, some of Lori’s books deal with witches, who are part of an ancient society and tradition. For more articles relating to the theme of ‘Ancient’ then check out the links below:-

1. Ancient art of shoe repair still thriving – Your Nibbled News (c) 2016 YNN
2. YOU’LL LOVE THIS! – Okoto Enigma
3. Travel Much? – Haunt much?
4. On Ancient. Daily Prompt. – Pisstower’s Jettison
5. Modern system/Ancient regulations – FAITHFULNFABALOUS
6. Angelic Hands – Ancient Celebrations.
7. Travel Expose: Autumn Edition, Guan Men Mountain – The Bejewelled Secret (1 of 2) – “Bajan,” Chinese Style
8. witchlike – Billy Goat and the Cubs
9. Corned Beef Hashtag – Cursive
10. Hidden Ways (A Poem) – stephentotheplate
11. Authentic – Oh, border! – Artificial
12. THE ICONOPHILE – Frozen Hope
13. Ideas for home decoration
14. Milkfish – just a little magic
15. PROJECT ASTRAL – Finding Myself
16. Annette’s place – Daily prompt/Ancient/10/20/2016
17. The Showers of Blessing – Ancient Calculator-Abacus
18. SHARE YOUR LINK!!! – Okoto Enigma
19. Sacrificial Chain Breaker – ANCIENT TIMES
20. Ancient Publishers Inc. – writingboxblog
21. A shrine with thatched roofs – Sorry, my poor English ability
22. Persephoneina – Ancient
23. My Mixed Blog – From Pompeii to Pulitzer
24. Soulmate – Angela Montijo
25. PROJECT ASTRAL – Shine
26. Chris Writes – I Don’t Belong Here
27. chamael290 – Strength of the Ages
28. Floating – Tales & Trails
29. simplygiselle – Fab-u-lous at 50!
30. Awl and Scribe – Ancient
31. Disappearing Act (Part 2/2) – Resurface – AINSWORDLY
32. MY ENDURING BONES – The Oldest Story In The World: Boy Corpse Meets Girl Cadaver
33. logicaldreams – Drabble: The Ancient Tree that wasn’t Ancient
34. Darkness of His Dreams – Tell Me What I Need to Know
35. Expect Good Things – Field Notes: Create and Polish (that Old Car)
36. Michael J. Fite – What Are The Ancient Rules To Being Human?
37. Ancient – Image & Word
38. Occasional Dreams – Dream River
39. Sasha’s Writings – The Ancient times
40. The Password is “Password” – Island Grind
41. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center – Nomadic Adventurer
42. Slaying Fear, My Ancient Enemy – Le Happyone
43. ilinias – They are ANCIENT
44. Super Healthy Cocoa Spread! – GREEKMOM
45. It just remained with me – Inspirations and Aspirations
46. The little vintage postcard – Wangui on Travel
47. Ancient – Words in verse
48. Ancient – WORDS from SONOBE
49. Third Time Lucky! – Ancient, old, antiquated…..
50. Ride Me Again – Rawhead Rex
51. Purposive Writer – Ancient Wisdom
52. The Syllabub Sea – Ancient rituals
53. Closer – writemebad
54. Eat More Chicken – Mac’s World
55. Ancient…(daily prompt) – my unremarkable story
56. inspiration in progress – Beautiful
57. Ancient – The Examined Life
58. Some Days – Fifteen Minute Reads (Or Less)
59. The Showers of Blessing – Ancient Wall and Tomb in China
60. Lost Property Repository – All At Sea
61. I Will Fight Site – If I don’t mind … It won’t matter
62. Michael’s Monologue – An old photo and a 49 year memory shared
63. daily Prompt: Ancient – Paulina Angela
64. helen meikle’s scribblefest – Daily prompt: Old
65. Ancient Chinese Culture and How We Relate – Chinese Dreams
66. Ancient – Inner Whispers
67. For we are indeed his offspring – English Lit Geek
68. Autism in Our Nest – The History of Autism
69. Ancient Artifacts – Leigha Robbins
70. Brendon Ward – Suicidal Sinner Meets All Sufficient Saviour
71. manvsloneliness – Day 107: The Man and the Oldest Penis Joke in the World; ‘Ancient’
72. Ancient – Postcard from a Pigeon
73. Stonehenge – Just A Pile Of Rocks? – Kiwiontheloose
74. Fru – Ancient Africa: Inspiration for the Woodlands
75. What it’s like – Ancient
76. The Man Behind the Mask – Lance Price Blog 2016
77. Eden of Knowledge – Ancient Poem
78. Stutter-Stepping Heart – Ancient Heart
79. First of Three Day Three Quotes: Mother Teresa – Settle in El Paso
80. Fluffy Pool – Ancient and Magical
81. Cage Dunn: Writer and Author – The Nights are Long . . .
82. A Belly Full Of Love – Kurilane
83. Write Now – Strong Like Ralph
84. Lessons – Expressions
85. Your Nibbled News (c) 2016 YNN – Ancient art of shoe repair still thriving
86. The Consulting Writer – Side Effects
87. Poet’s Corner – Balance
88. Ancient – The Inkwell
89. Ancient – Postcard from a Pigeon
90. Steps Times Two – Balance
91. Light & life – Ancient of Days
92. Le Drake Noir – First floor with a view
93. wordsareallihavesite – Ancient
94. Mainline_Matter – Ancient Hand Wagon
95. Success Inspirers’ World – Ancient times ancient ways
96. Setting It Free – Opinionated Head
97. sparksfromacombustiblemind – Ancient
98. Bigly – A lot from Lydia
99. Musings of a Random Mind – Garden of Eden Revisited
100. Truth or Tale – Far Behind Me
101. Stonehenge – indisputably inconclusive
102. Little By Little – Sunken Thought
103. Fantasy – Scribbled by M
104. 83 Unsung Heroes – Ancient Aluminium
105. PROJECT ASTRAL – DOOR EXIT.
106. Alison Leigh Lilly – Honoring the Past: Weaving Story from Memory
107. Notes to Women – Memories
108. Writing and Works – Half Dead And Half Alive: Solitary Creatures Part Two
109. LadyLebz – WHY THE MOON SHINES AT NIGHT
110. valley of the kings – Spectres & Stardust
111. ancient angry birds???? ⋆ Obsolete Childhood
112. pavement stories – weekly photo challenge: ancient
113. Mother is not ancient! – Elaine’s Bloggers Paradise
114. An Ancient Gesture – Scattered Showers in a Clear Sky
115. Daily Prompt:”Ancient” – An island which is full of antiquity -Gozo! – Caboosemama Little Pleasures
116. Getting “Old” Isn’t So Bad – Oddities and Ends
117. The History of the Marathon – Sneakers on Pavement
118. thejasminegate – Trees of life
119. Who? – Reem Writes…
120. Frisson de Shambhala – LazyHaze
121. Ensnaring Apollo – LazyHaze
122. Myammy! Moving in together at 50… – The Lost Art of Shoplifting – Do you know this woman?
123. The Wandering Poet – Very much ancient 
124. The Gad About Town – The Old Stone
125. Older but not ancient – In my world
126. debooWORKS – Ruins
127. Some days I get up and feel ancient – susiesopinions
128. lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown – Weekly Photo Challenge: Ancient Signs
129. kStan(ly) kSays – confuscius he is not
130. the ancient me – Love it Now
131. The Prodigal Writer – ARJUN SHIVARAM
132. Micro Management: Ancient Practice – SUCCESS STRATEGIES
133. Ancient Riders – ARMY OF THE FALLEN BIKERS
134. Flowers and Breezes – Ancient
135. A woman in the box – teenspirit
136. Prayers and Piazzas – Snapshots from Italy, Ancient
137. Enemies From The Past – emotionsoflife2016
138. s1ngal – Almost Ancient
139. Ancient – Covert Novelist
140. kristinakoti – A look Back
141. Frank Prem – memorial park
142. Ancient Triggers – Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman!
143. confabler – The Twin Pools Of Mermaids
144. Hope – The Grateful Dead – The Voice of the Mortals
145. Nameless Skeletons (5 Haikus) – Zone of Non-being
146. The Last Sentry – Leaking Ink
147. Talking to the Stars – The Grateful Dead – The Voice of the Mortals
148. Ancient? Or just Old? – HorseAddict
149. There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament – megalomania kills
150. Ancient ME – INDIAN YOUTH
151. Ancient #DailyPost – Of Glass & Paper
152. Common Pursuit – Pyramid Street
153. The Green Dog Chronicles. My Life in Navia – Fear of Love
154. Mysterious Mitawali – Don’t hold your breath
155. Now ‘trending’. Then ‘ancient’. – Jk109
156. Ancient – Daily Prompt – ladyleemanila
157. The Memory Shop – Its PH
158. The Cat Chronicles – Ancient Felines
159. MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO – Ancient
160. Inspirational Places: The Greek Island of Rodos (Rural Edition) – Sweat, Tears and Digital Ink
161. Zombie Flamingos – Finally! Kitten Thursday!!
162. sonja benskin mesher – rusty nails
163. Ancient – Cahla’s Tawkin’
164. Devil Doll Musings – The Last Song
165. I’m not! – Elaine’s Bloggers Paradise
166. The Daily Post – Progressing into Solitude – Ancient
167. Love, Sex & Marriage In The Ancient Time – eddaz
168. Ancient and Young – poorhaiku
169. Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss – Ancint is relative
170. Kate Murray – Ancient
171. Gomke & a Witch – Khayal
172. Sindile Monday Publications – Ancient
173. Warm and Cozy – A Dose of Sunshine
174. An opinion piece on age and fashion – art of being fabulous
175. Booknvolume – The Ancients –
176. I wrote a book. Now what? – Rejecting the rejected
177. Salvation (an excerpt) – cmshuckstories
178. waterlooseneca – New Mexico. The Deserted Village.
179. The Sleeping Reading Beauty – Door Tower
180. Ancient History Fresh in My Mind – Jerome Danner
181. Gal’s Got Moxie – Enoshima: Dragons and Goddesses
182. Durham Cathedral – one of the wonders of the world – Back On The Grid
183. Inspiring Etymology of the Day – The One Who Can – Justus Creek
184. Ancient History – Bits of Poems
185. Kenya’s Mashujaa Day (Heroes’ Day) 2016. – LIVING AND LEARNING
186. Designer Sophisticate – Seven wonders.
187. Indian Architecture – Travel Crusade
188. We never got closure. – onedimpledgirl
189. And then there was one – Same ole shirt
190. Lost Property Repository – Beyond the Underground
191. IN OUR ROOTS, LIES OUR STRENGTH – Rainbow
192. I Was Ready to Quit – Pete Gardner Psalms
193. Lost Property Repository – Life in Song: If You Really Loved Me
194. Downsizing – The Hope Filled Addict
195. Hot White Snow – Old Friends, Getting Older
196. Love Paradox – Opinionated Head
197. Ancient… – Emotions that matter.
198. Let’s go get that lighthouse! – alkasharmablog
199. Michel Montecrossa Blog – Featured Art: ‘Mirakali In Egypt’ – felt-pen drawing by Michel Montecrossa
200. THE CRAZY THING ABOUT RIPPED JEANS – Okoto Enigma
201. THIS CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD: AMAZING NEWS!! – Okoto Enigma
202. Dark Energy: The Ancient Glamour of Cruelty – Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman!
203. Lantern Words – The Ancient And New