Dogs or Cats? Vanilla or Chocolate? Tristi Pinkston on Life and Writing

Tristi Pinkston

She blogs here

Launch party for her new book here

Tristi, who are you as a person, versus an author? What is your passion, and what are your hobbies, other than writing?

I'm passionate about families and the responsibilities we have as parents to raise our children with the knowledge of the gospel and to instill in them the seeds they will need to grow testimonies of their own. I enjoy trying new recipes, even if no one but myself will eat them, and I enjoy good movies. But it really all does loop back around to writing for me. You ask what my passions are ... writing! Reading! Reading about writing! Writing about reading! Oh, and talking. So, talking about writing and reading! I'm very cyclical that way.

What genre(s) do you write in?

I started out in historical fiction. My first three novels, "Nothing to Regret," "Strength to Endure," and "Season of Sacrifice" are all historical. Recently, however, I started writing contemporary mysteries, quite a departure from what I'm used to. I'm really enjoying the change, however. I'm thinking in whole new directions now, exploring different facets of myself. I will always love historical fiction and I have several ideas along those lines, but for right this minute, I'm doing contemporary. And, the other day I even got an idea for a Chick Lit novel. I might end up trying a little bit of everything before I'm through.

Do you seek to educate or entertain?

With my historical novels, I hope to educate and uplift. My contemporary novels are sheer entertainment. Sometimes we need to just relax and enjoy ourselves, and I hope I'm creating a place where my readers can come, laugh, and know they aren't going to come across any content that would offend them.

Where do you write your best stuff, and when?

I take it when I can get it. I get all my e-mails checked fairly soon after I get up in the morning, and then I pull up whatever editing project I'm working on and leave it up on the desktop throughout the day. I homeschool, so I sneak over as I'm able and do a little here and a little there. I do my best writing at night after the kids are down. My husband oversees the bedtime routine so I can work.

From nine until midnight,you'll find me at the computer, either writing, editing my own writing, or editing someone else's writing. My computer is right in the middle of the fray. I used to have it off in my bedroom, but my kids felt left out and then they discovered they could get away with stuff if I wasn't right there. So now my computer is in the living room, in the flow of traffic. They have instant access to me, and I have instant access to squelch any simmering revolutions. I write regularly, every day but Sunday, but I don't always work on the same thing.

Why do you write?

It's the only way to keep the voices in my head happy.

Vanilla or chocolate?

I didn't know there was another flavor besides chocolate!

Laptop, PC, Mac, longhand, other? Why?

I wrote my first novel longhand and then transcribed it onto the computer. I wasn't very computer-savvy at the time and I felt intimidated by it. But as I transcribed it, I learned how to use the computer, and from then on, I've written directly on the computer. Sure saves a lot of time over transcribing! But I do have another reason for that. I developed carpal tunnel as a teenager, and while I control it with flax seed oil and vitamin B complex, I now can't hold a pen for very long. I also have to use an ergonomic keyboard (which I highly recommend, by the way. It takes about a week to get used to, but is so much better for the hands.) I can't use a laptop because the keyboard is so tiny. And I'm a PC user.

What is your current book?

My current book is "Agent in Old Lace," and is the first of my contemporary mysteries to be released. It's the storyof a young woman named Shannon who discovers that her boyfriend has embezzled money from her father, and has made millions through shrewdly investing that money. Now that she's uncovered his secret, her life is in danger. The FBI sends out their best agent to protect her, and he will do anything ... and I do mean, anything... to successfully complete his job. It's a romantic suspense that's also humorous. I guarantee you, there's nothing like it on the market.

One piece of advice/wisdom for the world?

There's a Shakespeare quote that often gets misconstrued. When someone wants to justify a selfish decision, they'll sometimes say, "To thine own self be true." But they forget the rest of that quote. When you put it all together, it actually says, "To thine own self be true, and it must follow as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." Stop lying to yourself. Then that determination to look truth in the face will show in your interactions with others. Entirely different meaning, and excellent advice.

Dogs or cats?

Dogs. Cats are too dang sneaky.

What do you want to be remembered for, or as?

Someone who was always herself. I've spent a lot of time working up the courage to be myself, and now that I'm there, I want to have the courage to stay there.

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A launch party will be held for Agent in Old Lace tomorrow, Saturday, May 16th, from 3-5 p.m. at Provident Book in Pleasant Grove, 661 W State Street. Refreshments, door prizes, sales and a guaranteed wonderful time. Bring a friend!