5 Questions with Connie Claire Szarke

At the Minnesota River Arts Fair recently, I shared a literary tent with a bunch of other authors, and had a chance to interview them briefly. I asked each of them the same five questions. Here's what author Connie Claire Szarke had to say!

1 – What’s your latest book about?

A Stone for Amer  - a prequel to Delicate Armor - takes place in 1919, in eastern Montana. Uncle Amer is killed, and his nephew, 16-year old Will and Will's father travel to claim his body. They also try to figure out why Amer was killed.

2 – Who’s your favorite author and/or what’s your favorite book?

Truman Capote, Anton Chekhov, John Steinbeck. My favorite book is Steinbeck's East of Eden.

3 – What’s your favorite aspect of writing?

Once you get beyond the first revisions and your characters start kicking in - then the author starts to work in tandem with the characters.

4 – Any good anecdotes about being a writer?

I feel very fortunate to have met Brent Spencer, Bob Lacy, and to have been in a writers' group with Faith Sullivan. Jon Hassler was also a friend.

5 – What was the most helpful writing advice you've ever received?

Brent Spencer once told me that if a character thinks about something on the page, have her do it. When he said that, it mentally gave me the permission to expand my characters.