Sunday, June 10, 2012

Getting to know Sandra Gardner


My guest this week is author, Sandra Gardner. Let’s get to know her!

Sandra, where did you grow up? Did your childhood contribute to your desire to be awriter?
I grew up in small-town Massachusetts, about an hour north of Boston – Maldenin early childhood till high school, then Medford, the next small town. I read constantly, since the age of six, stories, fairy tales, later, novels. So I imagine that contributed to my desire to write – started writing poetry in highschool. In my senior year, I was lucky enough to have a wonderful teacher in English class. She had us write what she called a “theme” every week, at home.
I’d lock myself in the family bathroom and write whatever came into my head tillI was done. My teacher really encouraged me, for which I will be forevergrateful. My dream was to become a reporter, preferably a foreign correspondent,traveling to exotic, dangerous places and reporting on the news.
Where do you live now? Do you use that locale for settings in your novels?
I live in a rural section of Woodstock, NY (THE Woodstock). It’s a wonderful community of tolerant, laid-back people, lots of writers and artists.  So far, I haven’t used it for a setting.  My first mystery novel of my series, Mother,
Murder and Me, is set in NYC.
What inspired you to write your most recent novel?
Ah, this is strange.  I had a bout of bronchitis and was lying on the sofa inthe living room, when I had a sense, a feeling, of my mother standing over me. Ihad the sense to drag myself to my computer in my study and start typing. Twentyor so pages later, I had a daughter in her late 30s and her mother, recently deceased, who’d been the bane of the daughter’s existence in life.  A few days later, I realized that I couldn’t base a whole novel on a ghost-mother and
daughter’s relationship. Since I’m a mystery novel fanatic, I decided to try and make it into a mystery. Besides the murders, suspense, red herrings,relationships, etc., it had to have lots of humor, since that’s the way I think.
Did you plan your series before or after you wrote the first book in the
series?
Yes and no. I didn’t plan on it, but while I was revising the first book, I kepthaving ideas for future books with the two main characters, and I’d jot them down on little pieces of paper and shove them into a folder. So it had to happen.
Name three of your favorite authors in the mystery genre.
Kate Flora, Karin Slaughter, Kate Atkinson. (there’s lots more but you said three.)
What are your favorite things to do when you’re not reading or writing? 
Playing the piano – I took four years of classical piano when I was a preteen into my teens, played in competitions and recitals, which I hated.  But I loved my piano teacher. I finally (!) have acquired a rebuilt Steinway baby grand, which is my most valuable possession. I also like to meditate, do dance exercise, yoga, hang out with girlfriends, go to concerts and other things with my husband, occasionally visit my grown kids,  take care of my many houseplants, knit stuff, watch True Crime and old movies on TV and keep up with national politics, mainly on TV.
That’s quite a long list! Do you like to travel? If so, what are some of your favorite places to go?
London. We finally got to spend two weeks there last fall and both of us didn’t ever want to leave.  I really fell in love with all that wonderful history, tradition, everything.
How would you describe yourself personality wise?
Mostly extrovert, but I do like spending time with myself, too.
What’s your favorite color? Why?
Purple, and shades of blue-purple, like periwinkle. Maybe it’s a little magic and a little “Woodstock.”  My favorite Woodstock spiritual person, who introduced me to the teachings of the Divine Mother, Sri Kuranamayi, often wore purple—we sometimes dress very similarly – I even own some of her clothes I got at her yard sales --- recently died, and I really miss her.
What’s your answer to this question – If I won a million dollars, I would ------
buy a second home in London.

For a sneak preview of Mother, Murder, and Me or to order a copy in paper or Kindle format, go to:

25 comments:

  1. Great interview, and like you, Sandra, I'd buy a second home in London!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, if either of you ladies do win the lottery, I hope you'll invite me to come visit. :)

      Delete
  2. I'm not the least interested in London, but this was a fascinating interview, Patricia. And Sandra, I am so happy to learn a bit about your.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by and for the compliment, Marilyn. I enjoy getting to know the authors I feature on my GTKY series - including you.

      Delete
  3. Sandra sounds like an interesting person and I'm sure that colorful personality will come across in her writing. Thanks for introducing her here, Patricia.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, John. I'm sure Sandra will be with us soon. I appreciate your comment.

      Delete
  4. whew! thanks for all your great comments! maybe some day all of us who love and appreciat London will get to see more of it! And jrlindermuth, thanks re my personality-- and hopefully, it does come across in my writing. I would imagine that in most fiction, at least, the personality (or some of it) of the writer comes through. (at least that's my thought about it.) and many thanks to Patricia for this interview! I really enjoyed doing it!
    Sandy Gardner

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great meeting you, Sandra! And much success! Am I remembering correctly that purple is the color of royalty?!

    Madeline

    ReplyDelete
  6. what do all of you think: do you usually get a sense of the writer's personality in a novel? in a mystery novel? And what about your own writing: do you think your personality shows through?
    sandy gardner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Sandy. I usually do get a sense of the writer's personality when I read a novel.
      Yes to the second question too. I've heard from several friends of mine who have read "Mixed Messages" that they could tell I'd written the book. Good or bad? Who knows?

      Delete
  7. Madeline -- -royalty! well, I don't think I had that in mind but ......
    seriously, it just seems to suit me (my personality?) and it's a color I never got to wear as a child ....

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lost my first comment, so I'll try again.

    Yes, Sandy, I do think you can get a sense of the author's personality in their books, although it's probably pretty watered down sometimes.

    Great interview, and thanks so much for sharing. I enjoy learning more about writers.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Marja and Patricia,
    had family medical problem early this morning--everything ok now. just got home. My guess would be that some writers might try more to detach their own selves from the characterizations, etc.? Or maybe the process is not conscious at all? Also: maybe a reader has to be pretty discerning or really know the writer, his or her own persona, etc. I do know that several people who have already read MOTHER, MURDER AND ME, and who know me, have remarked that the M.C. sounds very familiar!
    Sandy

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your book sounds fascinating and inspired--going to look it up right now! I love Woodstock, btw...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Jenny,
    Thanks so much! Let me know if/when you come to Woodstock! Lots going on, especially during "high season" -- Memorial Day through Labor Day. In fact, I'm doing a reading/signing of MOTHER, MURDER AND ME at the Golden Notebook Bookstore in downtown Woodstock July 12, 6 pm. My email: sgardner2@hvc.rr.com
    Hope to see you in Woodstock!
    Sandy Gardner

    ReplyDelete
  12. Always enjoy a good interview this one qualifies. Looking forward to reading. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Jake,
    Thanks! Hope you enjoy the book!
    Sandy Gardner

    ReplyDelete
  14. Pat once again I enjoyed this interview with Sandra. Sandra looking forward to a new read. Augie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fine interview, Pat and Sandra. Always fun getting to know about another writer. I love Woodstock, your hometown, and get up there for visits when I can. Mayge you know Abigal Thomas, who lives there?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Augie and Eileen,
    thanks for your comments re: interview! Augie, hope you enjoy the book! Hey,Eileen, let me know when you're in my wonderful town! my email: sgardner2@hvc.rr.com. Would love to see you in Woodstock! Don't know Abigail Thomas -- have heard her name, though.
    Sandy Gardner

    ReplyDelete
  17. Okay, Patricia, you have to stop doing this to me. I clicked on the link to Sandy's book and read the first page. Hooked me immediately! Now it's on my gotta buy list too! I think I'm about to become a mystery reader too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Catherine,
      wow, thanks! so glad to hear that you got "hooked"! Hope you enjoy the rest of it.
      thanks again for your comment--
      sandy gardner

      Delete
  18. Hey, Catherine, that's what we mystery authors love to hear - another convert!

    ReplyDelete