Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?
I’m originally from the old historic city of St. Joseph, Missouri – a place known for the Pony Express and Jesse James among other things. I love the history there – it’s everywhere and much of it has been preserved in a way it hasn’t been where I live now.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
From about third grade forward, I wanted to be an author. I made up stories before I could even print or write cursive and I wrote my first “novel” in the back of my binder in the fifth grade.
Tell us about your latest book.
In my latest Rebel Ink Press title, Dust Bowl Dreams, it’s the summer of 1933. Henry Mink is a desperate young man. He’s the sole support for his widowed mother and four younger siblings but the crop’s dead in the field and the bank wants money or they’ll foreclose on the farm. He’d like to court his pretty neighbor, school teacher Mamie Logan, but without money, he can’t do much. He decides to do what Pretty Boy Floyd and other outlaws are doing and rob a few banks. Mamie’s against the notion and so is his kid brother Eddie but Henry must do something and soon. His efforts turn out far more complicated than expected and even after he comes home, there are a lot of bumps along the road.
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it?
I have a novel coming out November 17 from Rebel Ink Press, “Devlin’s Grace” which deals with an Iraq war vet, his struggles with PTSD and the young woman who makes a difference in his life, just as he does in hers.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing?
Everything and nothing! I love the process, creating a story and putting it down to paper. Sometimes it flows smoothly, sometimes not.
What advice would you give to writers just starting out?
Never give up. Learn your craft and always hone it. There’s always room for improvement.
How did you deal with rejection letters?
I view them as a challenge to persevere. If a particular piece gets rejection often, then I take a harder, closer look at it to see what’s wrong.
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?
Writers need to have a good command of language, a decent computer, a Thesaurus, a dictionary, and some basic grammar knowledge. And most important of all, a vivid imagination!
Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content? Hmm…I write about almost everything. My sex scenes may not be as extreme as some authors but there’s not much I wouldn’t write about.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research? Hmm…hard choice, LOL. I guess it would be to drive my car – then a Cadillac down a one lane rough track down the side of Rich Mountain in Arkansas over rugged terrain, hardly passable by car.
Don’t forget to give us links to your website etc.
My author page on Facebook:
A Page In The Life: http://leannsontheimermurphyblogspotwriterauthor.blogspot.com
Rebel Writer: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy: http://leeannsontheimermurphy.blogspot
Facebook: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy
https://www.facebook.com/leeann.sontheimermurphy
Twitter: @leeannwriter
Amazon author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Ann-Sontheimer-Murphy/e/B004JPBM6I/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
