Friday, May 18, 2012

CHRW Meet The Member:

Tracy Brogan

How long have you been a member of Celtic Hearts? I actually joined Celtic Hearts just before Nationals last year (2011) but then got distracted by life and never joined the on-line loop. Finally in February 2012, I managed to re-engage.

In what genre do you prefer to write and why?
I love historicals for their ability to transport me to another time. I don’t do paranormal or fantasy, so historical romance is my way to visit a different world. I love learning about the clothes, food, social restrictions and everything about their lives. And then I remind myself how lucky I am that I don’t have to wear a corset.

Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
An American friend of mine married a Brit a few years ago. The wedding was held in a 12th century chapel in Somerset so I spent a few days at a ‘country estate’ there. Most amazing house ever, even though it smelled of soot and there were no elevators. Then my husband, two daughters, and I took a week to travel around Scotland and visited as many castles as we could squeeze into the time we had. We spent one night at Dalhousie Castle in Bonnyrig, and took a midnight ghost tour through the darkened halls. And we had a falconry lesson. I’d go back to Scotland in a heartbeat!

If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?
This may sound odd, but I’d go back to December 7th, 1941. I’m working on a WW2 story, and I’d like to comprehend the emotions of the American population on that day, when their entire world changed. Or, on a more romantic note, I’d go back to the day my parents got married. They passed away when I was fairly young and I’d like to witness their joy as their married life was just beginning.

What historical person would you want to meet and why? What question would you want answered?
So many choices! If I have to pick one, I’d say James V of Scotland (1538) because history offers such contradictory information about him. And he happens to play a central role in my current WIP! If I got to choose another, I’d say Cleopatra. I’d love to see what all that fuss was about.

If you could have any super hero power, what would it be?
When I was little, I longed to be Samantha Stevens from Bewitched. I wanted all her powers, even though they never seemed to work out very well for her! Now I’d have to say I’d like the ability to “know” stuff without going through the struggle of learning it. Like, I wish I instantly understood everything about my computer and its programs, Facebook, Twitter, et cetera because trying to figure out every upgrade and variable wastes time and makes me irritable!

19 comments:

Renee Vincent said...

Hey Tracy! So glad to meet you. I think that is so awesome that your friend married a Brit and you got to go there and soak in all the culture. And a falconry lesson too? How cool is that!

Tracy Brogan said...

He's a wonderful guy and they just welcomed their first son. I'm hoping they invite me back across the pond for his first birthday!

Susan M. Boyer said...

Hi Tracy! Great interview! I always wanted to have Samantha's powers as well. I think she would have been fine if she hadn't had to spend so much time hiding the fact that she was using her powers from Darren. :)I hear you on the constantly evolving technology thing, too.

Elisa Beatty said...

Now you've got me longing to go to Scotland!!!

Did you see anything eerie on your ghost tour??

How great that you're wide-ranging in the settings for your historical novels--I have a feeling WWII is poised for a resurgence as a romantic setting in fiction.

Oberon Wonch said...

Hi, Tracy! The DH and I are planning a trip to the UK for our 25th anniversary in 2014. I hadn't thought about visiting a haunted castle in Scotland, but now I think we will! And Cleopatra is definitely someone I would want to meet as well.

Suzanne said...

Tracy, that is such a lovely idea to go back to your parent's wedding day. What a wonderful way to get to know them in a different context.

I love historicals! Do you have any books coming out?

Tammy Baumann said...

Failte Tracy!

Great interview. And I’m with you on the knowledge thing…Twitter and me just don’t get along. ;0)

Looking forward to meeting you in Anaheim this summer!

Tammy

Darcy Burke said...

Your UK trip sounds amazing! I love Scotland too and can't wait to go back. I did a "witchery" tour in Edinburgh - very fun! And wanting to see your parents' wedding day...well, sniff.
Darcy

Robena Grant said...

Hi, Tracy. Lovely interview and congratulations again on the final in the Golden Heart.
I'm also a lover of Scotland and went there to trace family roots. We were in Northern Scotland and I loved it. Especially the area around Ballater and Balmoral, and Grantown on Spey. I have a photo taken of daffodils in Ballater on my FB page. : )

Terri Osburn said...

I am so jealous of all the trips to the UK and Scotland. I want to go SO BAD! Lovely blog. I'd love to read stories set around WWII. I hope Elise is right and those stories will get through to the shelves soon.

If you get that technology power, you'll have to start freelancing to help the rest of us!

Tracy Brogan said...

Thanks for making me feel so welcome! Yes the trip to Scotland was fabulous and I encourage anyone to go! The night at the 'haunted' castle was one of my favorite experiences, in part because of a Scottish couple who regaled us with tales of all the ghosts THEY had seen. I think they may have been pulling my American leg. :)

Deborah Wright said...

Hi Tracy, great interview! I love that you view historical romance in the same way I view fantasy/sci-fi -- a way to visit a different world.

And you've picked one of the days I would have chosen to visit (Dec 7, 1941). I think the WWII era is poised for a surge in stories.

Pintip said...

Tracy,
Great interview. (And gorgeous photo, too!) I loved how you said you wanted to go back to your parents' wedding day. I lost my mom when I was young, too, and it's such a lovely thought to think about how she might have felt on her wedding day. (I've seen photos, and she certainly looked happy!)

Nikki McIntosh said...

Bewitched!!! I forgot all about that show ... those would definitely be the superpowers I'd want too ... I'd never have to leave my chair and my house would be spotless!!

Great interview Tracy

Dawn Marie Hamilron said...

Nice to meet you, Tracy. So glad you re-engaged with Celtic Hearts.
I wish I could wiggle my nose like Samantha too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracy! Wonderful interview! Scotland is on my bucket list! I liked Bewitched too :) Congrats on the Golden Heart finalist!

Diane Burton said...

Hi, Tracy. Great interview. Visiting Scotland is on my to-do list.

Pat McDermott said...

Hi, Tracy. I enjoyed your interview and getting to know you. Love the idea of the visit to the site of your parents' wedding. Wouldn't it be great if we could wiggle our noses and update all our loops, blogs, websites, etc. all at once?

Sarah Hoss said...

It is so very nice to meet you Tracy!

hanks for sharing a piece of yourself with us.