Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I am the eldest of six children, the oldest of 36 Ferron cousins and the oldest girl of the forty six cousins who are descendants of the O’Donnell Clan written about in the book, Dark Queen of Donegal. So,I have 80 first cousins. I love being from a big family and the closeness to Grandparents , cousins and joy of many family reunions, Baptisms, holidays, birthday parties and much more.
I love my husband, my children and my wonderful grandchildren many of whom have gone to Ireland and visited Donegal Castle.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Dark Queen of Donegal”?
One The most significant challenges I dealt with related to “Dark Queen of Donegal”, Ineen, who is more and more a warrior queen. Her husband, the king, became senile which left the kingship in her hands, especially after their prophesied son was kidnapped and held hostage by Elizabeth 1. These are true facts found in writings from 16th century Ireland, State Papers of Elizabeth l and Scotland.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Mary Pat Kelly inspired me very strongly, especially her best seller
“ Gallway Bay”. Others are Morgan Llywelyn, “Lion of Ireland”, a best seller, Annals of the Four Masters, C S Lewis, “The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe”, James Joyce, “The Dubliners”, Margret Mitchell, “Gone With the Wind”, Sigret Undest , “ Kristin Lavranstratter, “ and many more.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
There are three most important places. The first is my present home of 45 years where we raised our children and have had many grandchildren visits and two other places, important growing up – where I was born in Minnesota and my Grandmother’s farm in Painsville Ohio where so many happy times occurred.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Dark Queen of Donegal’?
The most significant reasons are the tales my Grandmother of the O’Donnell Clan told about our family heritage going back to when I was six years old. Writing my graduate degree in Ireland inspired me and later I realized that Ineen, the Dark Queen, was not acclaimed down the ages in her role in saving her heroic son.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book “Dark Queen of Donegal‘“
In many ways, I was writing about it for years in my head from the time my Grandmother, born in 1888, told about her royal blood. Later and after graduate school, I began writing about Ineen’s heroic son. Only in more recent years did I realized the significance of the mother’s role in saving her son from Elizabeth l.
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Masters Book Store in Donegal, Ireland, Kenney ‘s in Ireland and Book Stores In UK. I have learned that books have been bought in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Canada, and the USA. So the book can reach most countries.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Dark Queen of Donegal’?
I worked with two artists for the book cover and they worked together and sent me various options so that the cover would represent 16th century Ireland and a dramatic view of “The Dark Daughter”. The title came about because I wanted to have the word “Dark “ in it. Dark is important for those who viewed Ineen , dark, and for me because Ineen’s father nicknamed her“Dark Daughter”.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
To keep things fresh, I continue to read about Irish Books and Magazines, play Irish movies and I keep in touch with people in Ireland and those Irish in the United States. I especially look for new information, hoping this book becomes a Screen Play.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
Keep going and don’t give up.
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