Today’s guest on the Love Dust Blog Tour is Barbara Ristine, author of “Her Mother’s Ring”. Here is her interview with Pixie Forest Publishing. Enjoy!
Barbara Ristine used to be an attorney, but she changed professional hats several times before she settled down to be a writer. Originally from New York, she moved through several states before landing in Reno, NV, where she lives with her family. She’s a graduate of St. John’s University (B.A.) and the College of William and Mary (J.D.). She’s a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and the Historical Novel Society. When she’s not mindlessly staring at the Sierras, she writes short stories, poetry, and historical fiction. Her work has appeared in, or is forthcoming in Bards and Sages, Literally Stories, The Meadow, Bewildering Stories, Piedmont Journal of Poetry, and The Magnolia Review.
1. Where did your inspiration for your story come from?
Actually two separate events occurred a year apart. I saw a news story about an older woman deliberately crashing her car into a pawnshop’s store front, and wondered what would make someone so angry or desperate to do that. Later, I was in a workshop, and we were given the prompt to write a scene entirely in dialogue where one of the characters is trying to hide something. From those two disparate things, Eddie and Dolores sprang to life.
2. Who is your favorite character in this story and why?
Oh, definitely Eddie. He clearly loves his wife even though he doesn’t say the words out loud. He has such a big heart, but he’s also part of that silent group of men we call the Greatest Generation. He’s not one for talking or showing affection but you know he would be lost without Dolores by his side. They’ve been married so long and they know each other so well, but Eddie can still surprise her, even though his surprises have unintended consequences.
3. When you aren’t writing, where can we find you?
Lots of places! I do things with my family and we travel a fair amount. We like to go for long walks in town or hikes in the Sierras. Other places you will find me: at home reading or watching movies, in class at the local university, hanging out in my hammock.
4. What author has influenced you the most?
Oh, I can’t pick just one! There are a number of writers whose work I admire and find inspiring. I read and write across genres, and as a result my list of authors is rather eclectic. Off the top of my head, I’d have to say Anne Tyler, Connie Willis, and Laurie King. They write in very different genres but each informs my own writing in some way.
5. Where do you write? Is there a special place? Share a picture if you wish.
I used to go to the university library to write, but now I have my office in a beautiful sunporch we added onto our home many years ago. It started out as a playroom when my children were small, then it morphed into their video game/tv hangout. When they left for college, my husband claimed it for his office, but earlier this year he offered to move his office to our den, so I have a real place to write!
6. Do you consider reading as part of your job as a writer? Why or why not?
Reading is a significant part of my writing life. I believe that you must read widely to fully develop as a writer. I read everything: literary, non-fiction, sci-fi, mystery, historical, women’s fiction, short stories, flash fiction. When I’m working on a project, I try to read things that aren’t in the same genre or on the same subject, just to stretch my mind. Reading helps to develop your own voice, and it helps you hear how words flow.
7. Other than family, what are five things you cannot live without?
English Breakfast tea, coffee, McVitties Chocolate Digestive Biscuits, books, and post-it notes.
8. What is your all-time favorite TV show?
Doctor Who (I love both the classics and the reboot).
9. Not picking your own, which story in Love Dust is your favorite?
I really enjoyed “Tootsie” by M. R. Ward. I liked how the speculative elements were woven into the love story in a seamless fashion.
10. If you could meet one writer in the history of the world, who would it be? What would you talk about?
Jane Austen, although I’d really like to invite the Bronte sisters to join us for tea and conversation. We could talk about surreptitiously watching other people to gather material for our writing, and how families influence our relationships, both romantic and social. And of course, we’d talk about men and secret crushes.
11. What are you working on now?
I’m working on a historical novel set in a London hospital during the First World War. As you can imagine, there’s quite a bit of research so it’s been a slow project, but I’m about halfway through the first draft. I’m working on several short story ideas and some flash fiction as well.
12. Where can we find more about you and your work?
I have a blog where I post occasionally about writing and other things, https://mydearestcassandra.wordpress.com/. Other than that, you can find me on Twitter @renobarb.
Barbara’s story is about a long married couple’s enduring love despite misunderstandings and painful consequences. Another must read! More interviews to come. Until then, have a wonderful week!
~Brandy Bonifas
