Idaho Author Interview – Idaho Writer's Update

Rebecca Evans

She’s been in several anthologies and has co-edited a poetry collection in tribute to the life and achievements of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, when there are nine (available widely: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Bookshop.org, and via the publisher’s site, Moon Tide Press.

A memoir-in-verse, Tangled by Blood, is forthcoming (March 2023). This is a full-length collection, but delivered in a narrative format of three parts with a shifting point of view.

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I’m a fairly systematic and disciplined human, but I try not to overstructure my writing habit. I find I’m more creative in the early morning, so I usually wake around four and spend an hour or two in my self-care and reflection routine. This includes gentle yoga, stretching, reading, journaling, morning prayers, puppies, and sitting in silence. After, I eat a hearty breakfast. Eggs. Every day. No matter. And then I cook a big breakfast for my sons and walk my Newfoundlands.

By the time I settle in for writing, it’s around seven in the morning and I sit at my desk, I pull a Tarot card, I light a fig candle and some sage. I always write longhand first and then transfer to my computer. This early writing is generative and creative. I explore forms and song and methods and moods.

Margaret Koger

She’s a former teacher, librarian, and Poet in the Schools. Study of the interplay of nature and the economy during the settlement of the American West informs Maggie’s writing. Her poetry has appeared in numerous journals online and in print.

She’s very active in the Treasure Valley writing community. Here (Soundcloud link) Ken Rodgers and Rebecca Evans quiz her about her writing methods and her advice for new authors

Her most recent publication is What These Hands Remember (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kelsay Books).

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I write for deadlines! A submission window or an upcoming writers group session sends me directly to my computer where I rewrite a shaky draft or fly off on a new idea as suggested by the muse of the day: a river nymph, a robin, or a stranger’s face—it just depends. I write in my office, where I’m surrounded by my husband Grove Koger’s collection of books. They inspire me to keep at it.

Nancy Weston

With books running from mysteries to memoir, Nancy notes: “As I have matured, met people, had encounters, failures and triumphs and learned about life, I have filed away hundreds of interesting characters, events, encounters and sights. Now my mind fills with stories to share and my challenge is to select the one that is right to tell right now.”

Her works include:

Digger’s Izzy
Valley of Shadows
Ice in the Guise of Fire (published August 2022)
The Cruelty of Swallows (to be published later in 2022)

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

Not really. I have a list of stories in my mind that I want to tell. Once I find the one that inspires me at the moment, I pretty much devote myself to getting the outline, then a rough draft of the story. Then I may set it aside and work on something else or do something entirely different than writing. Once I come back to it, my mind is fresh and I read it again. This helps a lot! Once I get a complete story arc that I like, I get an edited copy for my beta readers. While they read the manuscript, I take another break. Once I get their feedback, I may mull over their commentary or not, but I don’t rush into the next draft. Time is my best friend in the process. Once I start work again, it is to complete a final draft of the work, although that may be many revisions later. When I have a complete final draft, I send it to be edited again.

Genalea Barker

Genalea has an Associate’s Degree in English Literature and a deep-seated passion for stories which highlight mental health and body positivity. Her short fiction has been recognized by Idaho Creative Authors Network, Idaho Writers Guild, and Women on Writing. Select works have been published with Bookends Review, Grande Dame Literary, Gemini Magazine, and Writers in the Attic: Rupture.

Watch for these Young Adult Contemporaries:

Life After will release 7 February 2023 (Immortal Works press)
Lovehurts will release in July 2024 (Vine Leaves Press)

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I’m a busy mom to four young children, so my “routine” is mainly to write whenever I have both the time and brain power to do so. Usually late at night after everyone is in bed, and occasionally during the school day when I only have my toddler at home with me.

Ellis “Skip” Knox

Ellis L. (Skip) Knox is a writer, medieval historian, and the creator of the fantasy world called Altearth, a place where magic is real, monsters roam the land, and the Roman Empire never fell.

His work includes several short stories published in online magazines as well as these intriguingly titled novels:

Goblins at the Gates
A Child of Great Promise
Into the Second World
The Signet Ring (released August 2022)
Mad House

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I have a study with my books, computer, and table. I write four days a week (I’m retired), usually for two to four hours.

Christi Nogle

Horror. Dark science fiction. Weird fiction. Literary realism. These are the realms author Christi Nogle travels. She’s published one novel, Beulah — set in a fictional small town in Idaho, loosely based on Buhl and Emmett.

Her short stories have appeared in over fifty publications including PseudoPod, Escape Pod, Vastarien, Nightscript, and Dark Matter Magazine.

Beginning in early 2023, she’ll have three short story collections released: The Best of Our Past, the Worst of Our Future (horror), Promise (dark science fiction and futuristic fantasy), and One Eye Opened in That Other Place (weird fantasy).

[Ed.: Update 2023-02 – Bram Stoker Award® Nominee]

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I like to write in the evenings, usually in the living room with my dogs resting beside me. If it’s nice out, I also like to write on the patio with the dogs playing in the yard. There are a lot of writing-related tasks like submissions, editing, working on critiques for writers, and I usually do these in the morning in my home office.

E. G. Moore

A vibrant and engaged author of YA and middle grade books from northern Idaho, E. G. has published two books, both middle grade novels:

Rowdy Days of Dom Sanders, a historical murder mystery
Moon Daughter Rising, a Native American mythology fantasy

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I have seasons of writing routines, mostly dictated by my roles as mother, wife, and worker. I often spend a lot of time developing bits and bobbles of the story mentally before I sit down to write it. Usually I write late at night in spurts, tucked away either in my office or my bedroom with a hot tea and chocolate. I also try to have at least two writing retreats per year. The pandemic put a damper on that, but when I do those, I write like crazy to finish a draft usually. It’s hard to get a lot of work done in one setting at home with three kiddos who need me, so this is a golden opportunity to feel like I really accomplished something.

Judith Keim

“Stories with heart” is how you’d describe Judith’s books. A USA Today Bestselling Author, she writes women’s fiction with a touch of romance, featuring strong women facing challenges and finding love along the way.

She is a prolific author and has over thirty-five books either published or available for pre-order.

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I’m lucky enough to have an office to write in and I write every day. The early hours are spent taking care of social media, administrative things — and then I tell myself I must write 1,000 words per day. I usually do.

Glida Bothwell

Most recently capturing 19th century America’s struggles in the time-travel historical fiction story Abbey’s Journey: A Long Trail Home, Glida has written screenplays, short stories, flash fiction (including participating in Fiction 101), and memoirs.

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

No routine, but I like to write in the morning. I write whenever I have an idea that needs to be put on the page, or when I can motivate myself to start. I write in my “office” — a space in our sunroom. But with my laptop, I can write anywhere. Sometimes I like to write in longhand as it helps me with the flow.

Michael Corrigan

Michael Corrigan was born and raised in San Francisco, California. He holds an MA in English from San Francisco State and attended the American Film Institute to study screenwriting. He was nominated for a Pushcart prize for the short story, “Free Fall.” He often draws upon his Irish heritage in his works, which include:

Mulligan: A Celtic Romance
In the River Bottoms
Brewer’s Odyssey
A Year and a Day
Confessions of a Shanty Irishman
Down the Highway
These Precious Hours

Do you have a writing routine? Where and when do you write?

I usually write in the morning at a quiet computer lab at the university. I like having that silent space to write, which includes articles for the local paper.