Vonda Sinclair
I joined the year after the chapter formed. So I think I’ve been a member for about 6 or 7 years. I was vice president for two terms and education coordinator for two terms. Celtic Hearts is one of my favorite chapters.
What prompted you to join this chapter?
I love all things Celtic, especially Scottish things. I’d always wanted to write Scottish historicals. At first, the research intimidated me since my degree is in psychology, not history. But once I got into it, I discovered I enjoyed hunting down those specific details that bring a story to life. The workshops and knowledgeable members of Celtic Hearts have helped me in many ways over the years.
What are some of the benefits you favor most about being a member of RWA and/or CHRW?
I love how the members of CHRW are friendly, supportive and encouraging. I truly feel I’m among friends. We all have a love of Celtic things and that means we have a lot in common. We understand and sympathize with each other. There are other great benefits the chapter has to offer too, such as the workshops, the contest, a great website and blog and fun meetings at the national conference.
You’ve recently signed with a publisher. Tell us about your writing journey before and after this point in your life, and the details about your upcoming releases.
I didn’t sign with a publisher, despite years of trying to get my foot in the door, but my publishing dreams have come true anyway. I indie published my two Scottish romances, My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander, and they’ve done well, especially at Amazon where I’ve sold around twenty-five thousand copies of the two books combined. My newest release in this series is My Brave Highlander. I call this series the Highland Adventure series because not only does it have strong romances but also action, suspense and adventure. The first two books are about brothers, Alasdair and Lachlan MacGrath, and the third is about their friend, Dirk MacKay and an interesting woman he meets during his journey home.
Have you ever been to Ireland, Scotland, Wales etc? Tell us about this trip and what you came away with afterwards.
I’ve been to Scotland three times and each visit has given me major inspiration, research information, life experience, happiness, and far more than I can explain. I’m in love with Scotland because it is such an amazing, beautiful and interesting place. When I convinced my husband to come along on that last trip, he instantly fell in love with the country too. We both enjoy the cooler temperatures, the friendliness of the Scottish people, the spectacular scenery, the castles, the Neolithic sites, and the wildlife. We love exploring the towns, villages, windy beaches, hiking up the hills, or slogging through ankle deep water to discover castle ruins. The more I see, the more I want to see. This year we plan to see some new places, such as Glamis Castle and Duart Castle, and revisit some favorites, such as Dunnottar Castle and Kilmartin Glen’s Neolithic monuments. We also want to hike in Glencoe and visit islands we’ve never been to, such as Iona.
If you could be transported back in time for a day, when and where would you want to go?
The Scottish Highlands of the early 1600s. What a fantastic research trip that would be!
Bio: Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She is a past Golden Heart finalist and Laurie award winner. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story.
