Monday, March 9, 2020

The Girl With the Crystal Soul by Barbara Dargan

Welcome, Barbara Dargan, author of
Historical fiction with a hint of romance
and mystery.
She’s here to share a little about herself
and her first novel.


            1. What was your hardest scene to write?

It would have to be the scene/chapter where Olga described her and her family’s murder to May. It was gruesome, horrible and sad and made me feel as though I was in the room too when they were all killed.

          2.   What makes you run screaming?

I really don’t like earwigs or wasps. 
    3.   You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?

I would go to a remote island in Fiji, on a beautiful beach and would take my sunscreen (of course), a box of matches and a cooking pot.

           4.   What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

I got a tattoo of an elephant on my ankle done for my 40th birthday. Back then it was a shocking thing to do, and close friends and family were amazed that I had done it! Some still are, mind you!

                     5. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

Adelaide, Australia, where my great, great grandfather lived.

          6. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Don’t doubt yourself. If you want to write a book, then write it! Find the time and stop procrastinating. You know that you are good enough!

7.    What does literary success look like to you?

Having people like my books and enjoying reading them. I’d love to have a following who looks forward to my next release. I’d like to make a living from writing, but to me, that is secondary to having a following.

8.    Tell us about the book you’re working on now.

This is a novel (I am 7 chapters in), about a real event that took place in Adelaide Australia. My great, great grandfather was involved in an incident where a man died in a boardinghouse. Was it suicide or murder? Years later, the daughters of both men look to try to unravel the mystery and, in the process, uncover a murderer as well as discovering who their fathers really were. It’s called ‘Fathers of Hindley Street’ and I hope to have it out before Christmas.




The Girl With The Crystal Soul
by Barbara Dargan

This is a novel based on Olga Romanov, her last few months of life, her death and burial. It is also the story of May Dawson, a forensic scientist who assists in the examination and identification of Olga and her family's remains in 1991. May feels a connection with Olga and a desire to tell her story, and to solve the mystery of the two missing children; Maria and Alexey and will not rest until Olga and her family are all reunited.

           Read my Review HERE!

*****



I have always wanted to tell Olga’s story. I have been fascinated with her for many years, ever since reading ‘The Summer Day is Done’ by Robert Tyler Stevens. It remains one of my all-time favorite books.



I spent years procrastinating and doing nothing because I didn’t think I could write before my health deteriorated and my lifestyle changed. I enrolled in a creative writing diploma course with the NZ Institute of Business Studies and doing that has given me the confidence to finally start writing.

The Girl With The Crystal Soul is my first novel and I have started my second.

I enjoy genealogy and am finding lots of inspiration for plots amongst the deeds of my ancestors.

I was born in New Zealand and have lived here all of my life. I have two grown children and two gorgeous grandchildren. I live in Opunake, a seaside town in South Taranaki and have a wonderful view of Mt Taranaki out of my front window. My best mate is my little dog Indie, who is turning 14 this week.

I enjoy gardening and raising monarch butterflies.

Find Barbara Dargan HERE!

***

Congratulations, Barbara, on your first novel!

Wishing you all success and many sales!


So readers, have you ever used a place or time in history to set your novel?








21 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

You have both incited my bookie lust. Thank you and drat you.
And huge congratulations to Barbara.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much!

Christine Rains said...

Wonderful interview! I cringe at even the words earwigs and wasps. I like your advice to your younger self. If only my younger self spent less time doubting and more time writing! Good luck with your newest WIP.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I don't think I've ever met anyone with an elephant tattoo. What's the story behind it?

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I must add this to my read list. I love history!

Jemi Fraser said...

Fascinating! Those strong connections to places inspire strong words!!

Pat Hatt said...

Sure sounds like a fascinating read indeed.

Unknown said...

Many thanks Christine! I am really enjoying writing my next novel and discovering what a rogue my great great grandfather was. Cheers, Barbara.

Unknown said...

Thanks Alex! I've always loved elephants for some reason. When I decided to get my tattoo, I wanted it to be something really different, and took along a little ceramic ornament I had. The tattoo artist drew it from the ornament and it's perfect. Cheers, Barbara.

Unknown said...

Many thanks Christine. I hope you will enjoy it. I love history too. Cheers, Barbara.

Unknown said...

Thank you Jemi. They sure do! I've never been to Russia where my novel is set, but I can see the places vividly in my mind. I hope one day to be able to go to Yekaterinburg and make my visions real. Cheers, Barbara.

Unknown said...

Hi Pat, I think it is, but then I am totally biased! I hope you enjoy it. Cheers, Barbara.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Great interview. I hate wasps too. Congrats on your book.

Unknown said...

Thank you very much Natalie. Cheers, Barbara.

Denise Covey said...

I'm with you on wasps and lovely that you'd like to live in Adelaide, Australia. Good choice and you have your reasons. Great answers to Yolanda's tricky questions.

Unknown said...

Thank you Denise! They are tricky questions, and a long holiday in Adelaide is most certainly on my bucket list! Cheers, Barbara.

Nilanjana Bose said...

I love historical fiction and wasps and earwigs are not my favourite things. Congrats on the book and best wishes for its success. Renee, hi and great interviews all, this series.

Susan Kane said...

The questions and your answers show much about your personality.

Unknown said...

Thank you very much Nitanjana, most appreciated. Barbara.

Unknown said...

Many thanks Susan. Cheers, Barbara.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Any book that can make history come alive is a winner to me, and this definitely sounds like a winner! I wish Barbara much success with it. (Having written it is ALREADY a huge success, so congratulations!)