ECHO HERON

Q. I've heard rumors that you have a major new book coming out - historical/​biographical fiction? True?
A. True. I spent the last five years researching and writing it. It is unlike anything I've done before, however, I can tell you that my test readers love it.

Q. What about new Echo Heron True Medicine books?
A. I have completed the sequel to TENDING LIVES; Nurses On the Medical Front. I will be self-publishing this one - working title: EMERGENCY 24/​7

Q: Of your eight published works which book do you like the best?
A: I'd have to say MERCY was my favorite of the fiction, although I had the most fun writing the Adele Monsarrat medical thriller series. Of the non-fiction list, I like TENDING LIVES because the chapters are so varied, rather like a roller coaster ride.

Q. How did a critical care nurse end up as the author of eight published books?
A. Writing has been my escape of choice since I was a kid - dysfunctional families of origin can do that to a person. So, I was actually an author long before I became a nurse.

Q: Are all the experiences in Intensive Care and Condition Critical true?
A: Yes, and in many cases, very.

Q. What is being a writer like for you?
A. I love it - it's a mind playground 24 hours a day where your soul gets exercised. But don't let me wax too euphoric - it can seem like having homework every day and night of your life.When I am working on a book, I write 10-12 hours a day, 6-7 days a week. I am completely focused on what I'm creating.
In the words of 1940's screenwriter Gene Fowler: "Writing is easy - just stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead."

Q: We watched your son Simon grow up over the 18 years covered in Intensive Care and Condition Critical. How old is he now and what is he doing?
A: Simon is forty (!!) and has had his own twisty career path. Right out of college he became a mortician (I heard that collective gasp of shock). I believe he made this career move because I brought him to work with me one too many times. His most interesting 'client' to date? Jerry Garcia.

Q: Whatever happened to Janey?
A: Janey worked in the OR for a few years then quit to be a full time wife and mom. She lives in Southern California and amazingly enough, we're still great friends - like old war buddies.

Q. I have a hard time finding some of your medical thrillers. Why? And how do I find them?
A. The reason you can't find MERCY, PULSE, PANIC, and PARADOX is because my publishers had a lapse of good judgment and took them out of print. You will have to go online to some of the used bookstores and find them there...they are available so don't give up.

Q: In most of your books, you or the female main character are single but waiting for that soulmate. Are you married or 'hooked up' yet?
A: It is all too true that the life of a writer can be lonely. Besides being a complicated, strange and isolationistic lot, we don't get out much. Plus, I live in a National Park and the only way to get to my cabin is to hike in or come in by mule. However, despite all this, I have 'hooked up' with a kindred artistic and peculiar soul who has braved the trail and claimed me.

Q: How is Mooshie, the world's most bizarre and traveled cat?
A: Sadly,The Moosh died at the end of 1998 after 15 years of pet/​owner bliss and mishap. At the time of his death he was still addicted to dry sherry, English Breakfast tea, potato chips and a heating pad.

Q: How about writing a book about Mooshie?
A: I have. The working title is MOOSHU PORK WITH PANCAKES TO GO. I hope to get this published soon - one way or the other. Keep your fingers crossed.

Q: I understand that you are a bit of a nomad. Where have you been, and why do you move around so much?
A: It would be easier to tell you the places I haven't been...like, Outer Mongolia is one. As to why - I ask you this - why not? For a writer, it's all material.

Q: Are you still working as an RN?
A: I worked my last shift in an ICU in San Francisco at the end of 1994 and then lived to write about it in TENDING LIVES. That shift - which was exactly as I described - brought everything to a head and made me realize I could do more for the nurses and patients through writing about the world of medicine. That being said, I do keep my RN license and ACLS current as a sort of safety net.

Q: Would you ever return to nursing?
A: Well, I miss working in an ER, and I would love to get into forensic nursing. However, after all the political rabble-rousing I've done, I'm not sure there's a hospital administration in the country that would hire me.
And besides that, I love writing - I'm truly an obsessive writer.

Q. Is it true that you were a nurse on a Hollywood movie set?
A. Yep. It was a terrible movie but a hell of an experience! Unless you enjoy sleep deprivation and general abuse, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.