Wendy:
Molly, as a fellow author of children's books and mystery books, I would like to ask you which is your favorite form of writing, fiction or non-fiction. Why?

Molly:
For my mysteries and fantasy the circumstances are fiction, although many of the characters are patterned after people I know: Jono in my fantasy series is my oldest son, Marc is my youngest, etc. My children's books are often rooted in things remembered from my own children and from the children my classes. Can't say whether I prefer fiction or non fiction the best. I like both.

Wendy:
I note that you have written several essays about 'the War of 1860s. Do you consider yourself an historian? Why did you write these articles?

Molly:
A student of history, although I have been called 'local historian' now and then by some here in Oklahoma. As with many who live here in the US, I have ancestors who fought on both sides of the war between the states. It is a period of United States history I find especially fascinating. Have studied the era from childhood. Have visited many battlefields in the deep south as well as those here on 91the frontier' as this area was considered during the 1860s. Nearly everyone knows something of this war, however few realize bitter, bloody war was waged in Missouri, Indian Territory, Arkansas and even Kansas as well as the better known areas further south and east. I write the essays to help those who may have limited knowledge learn a little more about the time. And, I write because I find it a compelling time in our history.

Wendy:
Is 'Sadie' the Red Dog featured in your book 'Sadie ' still alive?

Molly:
She is lying behind me as we speak! Sadie has grown to be a dear girl, who is content most of the time. She is now so comfortable with me that she knows I have no intention to ever hurt or otherwise abuse her. As a matter of fact not long ago I was working on my computer, didn't know she was behind my chair and when I stood, fell spread eagle all over her. She opened one sleepy eye, gave me a "walk much" glance and when back to sleep. Quite a change from the cowering craven I met in 1990. I wrote Sadie in the hope that someone may read the book, and decide they too will try to rehabilitate another abused and abandoned dog. Sadie's trust for humans was so low when I first met her in 1990. It took nearly the whole decade of the 90s for her to really realize that we are not going to starve, beat, abandon or otherwise mistreat her.

Wendy:
Do you have plans to write any sequels to this book?

Molly:
Maybe, I do write other stories of the critters who have "come for dinner" and stayed a decade! We have a real soft spot for the creatures who come to our front door as frightened, abandoned, starving and thirsty, near hopeless former house pets.

Wendy:
Is there a special reason why you chose the pen name tomsdattar, for your children's books?

Molly:
Daddy was Tom, I am his daughter. Heh, I do genealogy in my spare time and have found a Viking tie, I find their patronymic appealing. I wanted to use a name separate from the one I use for writing mysteries while keeping the name ME. I am actually m j hollingshead, it is my maiden name. And, I am Tomsdattar.

Wendy:
You like to write the 'cozy' style mystery. Who are your favorite mystery writers? Why?

Molly:
Have always liked Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, and Erle Stanley Gardner of the old time folks. As to contemporary writers I like especially would include William Manchee and Christine Spindler. I like old fashioned story telling type of writing, and each of these authors do that I think.

Wendy:
How much research goes into your writing?

Molly:
I usually throw some reference or two regarding the war of the 1860s in all of my books other than the children's books. I have a pretty nice library of my own on the subject so it is easy to find "tidbits" to include. For my mysteries I have books, maps and etc of London, and Arlington, Virginia so that my characters can walk down the correct streets, etc. When writing on my London series I like to turn the television to BBC to get me in the right frame of mind.

Wendy:
Do you start your stories with characters first or do you start with the setting? Why?

Molly:
I like series rather than one single book here and there. Inspector's Wife was the first in my British series, I used my knowledge of the fog and police problems we had in the San Joaquin Valley, California and moved the whole shebang to London. The characters seem to crowd my thinking as I write. By writing series it is easy to really flesh the characters out, get to know them, etc. When I start a book I may think the story will go thus and the characters will do that, however, as I write I often find the characters have other ideas and they propel me along.

Wendy:
Do you have a 'dream' project?

Molly:
Gosh, I don't know. Chuckle, they are all kind of dream projects I guess. Would like to see each of my series grow and grow.

Wendy:
Which is your favorite book? Why?

Molly:
I especially enjoy reading and re reading a series by Dana Fuller Ross. The books begin with western expansion here in the U S and follow characters lives, and the lives of their descendants for several generations. Also am very fond of anything written by Lewis Grizzard. He was a columnist in Atlanta, Georgia for many years, had a home spun manner of speech and writing. I learned to love Mark Twain as a child, still enjoy his books.

Wendy:
Would you like to comment about the e-book versus the p-book debate?

Molly:
I like both mediums and know there are advantages for both. There is something very nice about holding a printed paper book in the hands. And no matter how popular eBooks become I don't think paper and ink will just disappear. I love my beautiful historical volumes and wouldn't want to see them eliminated.

However, for those who have limited storage space, money, want to tote along a half dozen or more books on a camping trip, etc. nothing beats an eBook. Books on CD can be stored in a drawer. The new eReaders can hold many books in a single device smaller than a pocket book, and because they are self lighted camping trips out in the wilds without electricity cause no problem for those who like to read in the evening. Downloads and other eBook formats cost a fraction of paper and ink tomes.

Wendy:
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Molly:
Write everyday. Develop a real thick skin. Expect rejection letters. Steven King says he too had rejection letters and he is now one of the foremost of writers here in the states. And keep writing in spite of all. I am convinced that writers write because they must, it isn't something we do just to earn money, or fame or anything else that may or may not be ours because we write. We write because we are driven to do so.