Give us a little bit about your background and when you first started publishing.
I am from Baja California, grew up in San Diego and have lived all over the world first as a soldier and later as a government contractor. Always an avid reader, I began to write romance in 2009 and was offered a publishing deal in 2011. Since 2011, I have never looked back. This is my passion, my career for a lifetime!
Historical Setting Related:
Have you visited the places you’ve written about or just read about them?
- I have visited Scotland, traipsed through castles, bogs and small villages in an attempt to get a feel for the environment and the people. It was amazing and I plan to return soon. While writing westerns, I went to Montana and Wyoming and drove through some of the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen. I visited battlegrounds and old military forts.
What interesting settings have you used (homes, battlefields, events in history, etc)?
- My favorite setting for Highlander historicals has always been the forest, the craggy mountainsides and along the shores of lochs and creeks. For some reason I am drawn to the outdoors for these stories.
Why did you choose the particular period you write in? What is it about that era that speaks to you?
- There was much happening during medieval time in Scotland. Clan wars, strain with England and the threats from Vikings. There is so much to draw inspiration from.
Writing Process:
What inspires you to create a certain character (give example)? Have you ever changed the character arc because it didn’t work with the story line?
- Characters usually come to me as I sit down to consider what the person’s personality will be like and if he or she will work well with the story. The characters that don’t seem to work well often end up being villains. In my latest release, A Heartless Laird, there is a character named Aiden. He was supposed to be a secondary love story, but his personality that emerged was not likable, so now he is the main villain in the story.
Do you have a certain quirk in your writing process? Do the stars have to be aligned or do you have to have your favorite tea? Where do you do your best writing?
- I drink English tea, two bags in a large mug. I set a timer and go until it dings. Then I count my words and repeat the process until I reach 3,000 words. Once I do that, for some reason my brain stops the story and it’s hard to write more. I have written 10,000 words in a day more than once, but that’s usually at a retreat with writer friends. My strangest quirks maybe, are that I have to have total silence and I can’t be in a dark area, but facing or next to windows.
Miscellaneous:
From all your books, who is your favorite hero and why?
- Hard to pick, but probably Valen from Highland Archer, in the beginning of the story, he was a foundling and that just made me write him a good ending. I love him!
Outside of your own genre, what’s your favorite genre?
- I read everything from Romantic Suspense to Women’s fiction. I love romantic comedy!
We hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Hildie. Her latest release “A Heartless Laird” is now available on Amazon.
