Radine Trees Nehring's Journey to Die For

My guest today is Radine Trees Nehring. For more than twenty years, her magazine features, essays, newspaper articles, and radio broadcasts have been sharing colorful stories about the people, places, events, and natural world near her Arkansas home. She's also the author of a book of essays set in the Ozarks. "DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow" was published in 1995. She and her husband John live in the Arkansas Ozarks.

Anne – Welcome to my little corner of cyberspace, Radine. It’s always a joy to talk writing with a fellow author! Tell us something about yourself that you would normally only share with close friends.

Radine - My most valued recent gift was a doll house. I was given a pasteboard doll house when I was eight, but my brother burned it when testing a water-squirting fire engine he got for Christmas. I've since made and furnished doll houses for nieces, but never had one of my own. Then, this last Christmas season I admired a hand made wooden doll house in the window of the bookshop a friend owns.

"Oh that," she said, "I bought it for $4.50 at a thrift shop, I'll give it to you after Christmas."

She did. "Sunflower Cottage" is one of my most treasured possessions, and I am now at work finding or making furnishings for it.

Anne – What a lovely story! When did you first realize you were destined to be a mystery/suspense writer?

Radine - When, after my non-fiction book "DEAR EARTH: A Love Letter from Spring Hollow" was published, I was wondering what to write next and decided--since my favorite books for reading were mysteries--I'd like to try writing one. 

Anne - Tell us about your book. (Title and story blurb.)

Radine - The sixth novel in my "Something to Die For" series is JOURNEY TO DIE FOR. All my novels are set realistically at Arkansas tourist attractions, and JOURNEY opens as Carrie and Henry are boarding a popular attraction here, The Arkansas and Missouri Passenger Excursion Train. Riders enjoy a round trip from Springdale to Van Buren, Arkansas, in restored plush 1920's passenger cars. During a lay-over in Van Buren--founded on the Arkansas River as Phillips Landing in 1819--riders have time to explore antiques shops and restaurants in preserved buildings along Van Buren's Main Street, and stroll in a park by the river. While walking in the park, trying to picture the many steamboats that used to move needed merchandise to riverfront towns, Carrie and Henry find a body lying partly in the water. The problems unfolding following this discovery take them into danger in Henry's home town, Kansas City, and, finally, to a dramatic shoot-out in a Van Buren antiques shop full of crystal and glassware. (Just picture it!)

Anne - Is this part of a series? If so, include other titles. What do you enjoy most about writing a series?

Radine - This series began with A VALLEY TO DIE FOR, set around Carrie's home (and mine) in the Ozarks. It was followed by MUSIC TO DIE FOR, which takes place at Ozark Folk Center State Park (Think Sturbridge Village in the Ozarks). Next came A TREASURE TO DIE FOR, which takes place during an Elderhostel in historic Hot Springs, Arkansas, where Henry proposes to Carrie. Their wedding is celebrated in the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, AR, in A WEDDING TO DIE FOR, but the path to the alter is anything but smooth. Carrie's adult college professor son, Rob, becomes a participating character in A RIVER TO DIE FOR, set largely in caves and abandoned mines along Buffalo National River. (Yes, scary, and the darkest of my novels thus far.) Then we come to JOURNEY TO DIE FOR, when Carrie and Henry are celebrating their eight month anniversary during a train trip. Next up is A FAIR TO DIE FOR, to be released in June. Carrie, Henry, and their friends go to work at one of the largest and longest-running craft fairs in the United States, and get involved in trying to stop a drug pipeline into the Ozarks.

I love writing this series because I enjoy spending time with my characters and, at times, have even remembered something they said or thought when I needed to think myself out of a muddle in real life.  (I am always pleased that I, unknowingly, gave them such wisdom!)  I also love visiting the Arkansas tourist destinations where my novels are set.

Loathe? Nothing about the writing. Sometimes I do fume at the constant need for self-promotion.

Anne – Promoting one’s work is time consuming. Of all the characters you/ve created, does one hold a special place in your heart? Why?

Radine - One hundred year-old Mad Margaret Culpepper in MUSIC TO DIE FOR. Why? Zippy woman with all the compassion and smarts often found in native mountain folk.

Anne - What is the most surprising thing you've learned about yourself from writing?

Radine - Surprising? That I can write, complete, and sell, not only one book, but eight.

Anne - J That is a gift! Kudos. Tell us about the defining moment when you felt as if you'd finally made it as an author?

Radine - There were two. First, when a chapter from DEAR EARTH, (non-fiction), earned the Arkansas Governor's award for best writing about the state, andsecond, when I got the notice that my first novel, A VALLEY TO DIE FOR, had been nominated for a Macavity Award.

Anne - Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?

Radine - Know yourself and your strengths and use them well. Get busy establishing an Internet presence while you're writing a terrific book. Make use of a skilled editor (not yourself), and then, never give up until you reach publication.

Anne - Outside of writing, what accomplishment are you most proud of?

Radine - Establishing a home in Spring Hollow. My husband and I lived our dream to leave careers in the city and do this. After we bought the land at Spring Hollow we made a clearing in the forest and, on weekends, the two of us built a two-room cabin and established a large garden area where we could grow much of our food. Eventually we quit our city jobs, built a larger home, and moved here full time.

Anne – Final question, Radine. Where can readers find you online?

Radine – At my website and blog. 

Anne - Thank you, Radine, for visiting with me today. 

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Until next time, happy reading.

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