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WiDo Publishing: What kind of writer are you? Where do you get your ideas? What is your inspiration?
Lisa Dayley: I consider myself an historical fiction writer. I get a lot of
my ideas from family histories and journals. My inspirations come from
my ancestors and especially my great-great-grandmother Emma Girdlestone
Smith. For other creative writing projects, I often look through - of
all things - the obituaries. I find that some “ordinary” people have
led extraordinary lives. I especially look for the obituaries of the
elderly as they have lived through some very important parts of history
such as the Depression and World War II. It would seem that everyone
has a story to tell. I like to take those stories and expand on them.
WP: How much research did you do for this book?
Dayley:
I started researching my book about 18 years ago. It started out as a
college creative writing assignment. I had the choice to write three
short things or one long story. I opted to write a longer story about
my pioneering great-great-grandmother. I relied on family histories
and journals and family lore. I also researched LDS Church history.
Over the years I gathered pioneer stories from LDS ward members. I did
extensive internet research and also read a variety of pioneer
histories. I worked on the book off and on for 15 years before finally
finishing it.
WP: When did you start writing? How long have you wanted to be a writer?
Dayley:
I started writing as soon as I could use a pencil. I wanted to be a
writer since I was in grade school. My mother tells me that I once told
her that I wanted to be an “arthur” of children’s books. It’s the only
thing I ever wanted to be.
WP: What did you do before you started writing?
Dayley:
Before I started being writing professionally, I worked at a grocery
store. I was once employed as a secretary, but, when I had no work to
do, I spent my free time writing my book. I’ve worked as reporter for
about 20 years for various newspapers and magazines. I actually wrote a
radio commercial once.
WP: What are your passions and hobbies?
Dayley:
My favorite hobby is tracing my family tree. It is something that I
work on constantly. I also enjoy knitting and crocheting . I like to do
that while I’m watching TV as it makes me feel like I’m accomplishing
something instead of just vegetating! I like to work out and go to the
gym nearly every day. I also enjoy rollerblading – my son taught me
how. I also enjoy growing pumpkins every year and selling them in the
fall.
WP: What do you feel your strengths and weaknesses are as a writer?
Dayley:
My strengths include knowing how to tell a story and write dialogue
that sounds realistic. My weaknesses are assuming people know what I’m
talking about. I need to add information so that those unfamiliar with the
plot line will understand the entire story.
WP:What is your favorite book or books?
Dayley:
My favorite books include Saints by Orson Scott Card, Cain River by
Lalita Tademy and Heaven Help Us by Joseph Heller.
WP: What made you decide to submit to WiDo?
Dayley: I attended the BYU Publisher's Fair in March of this year and gave a copy of my book to a WiDo representative.
Lisa Dayley lives in Burley, Idaho, with her husband and three
children. She is the grandmother of one. An award winning writer and
photographer, she has written for both newspapers and magazines
throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Dayley lived in Okinawa, Japan, for four years and later moved to
Denver where she graduated from Metropolitan State College with a
degree in Mass Communications and a minor in Creative Writing in 1995.
She has been writing since she could pick up a pencil.
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