Interview with L.C. Hayden, author of That Last Ghost Dance (Aimee Brent Mystery Series Book 3)

Today it  gives the Indie Crime Scene great pleasure to interview L.C. Hayden, whose novel That Last Ghost Dance was published on November 5.

First of all, tell us something about yourself. How did you come to be a writer?

Writing has always been in my blood. When I was a kid in school, the teacher would assign us compositions. I would write 2 to 3-page long essays while everyone else turned in a small paragraph. Later, I became a high school teacher and hated those students that wrote such long essays!

That Last Ghost Dance is the third instalment in your Aimee Brent Mystery Series. What is the significance of the Ghost Dance in the title and why is it set in the Paiute’s Pyramid Lake Reservation?

The dance was created by a Paiute shaman named Wovoka during a solar eclipse on January 1, 1889. The mystical ceremony was created to re-establish the Native American culture and bring a peaceful end to the white men’s westward expansion and return the land to the Native Americans. Tribes from all over the country heard about the dance and sent representatives to learn the movements. Even warring tribes came.

The creation of this dance shows the Native American’s struggle to regain what once belonged to them and their deep desire to return to their way of life. They wanted their land back and not the reservations located in the worst parts of the United States. This, then, became one of the main themes of my novel.

The Paiute’s head councilman decides to bring back the ghost dance in order to bring peace and joy to his land. The members of the tribe are divided. Some support him while others want to move forward and adopt white men’s way. The councilman’s dream ends when he is killed.

Being from the general area, reporter Aimee Brent from a small newspaper in Lake Tahoe is granted an exclusive.  Once there, she stumbles upon secrets—secrets that could lead to her death. It's up to Aimee to unravel them before more people fall victim to the grand scheme of That Last Ghost Dance.  

What is the importance of National Native Americans Month both generally and to you? 

For some unknown reason, I’ve always felt a tie to Native Americans. But it wasn’t until recently when I had my DNA done that I discovered why. To my surprise, I’m mostly Native American. The results wouldn’t narrow it to one tribe. It just said I had Native American blood in me expanding from South America to Alaska.

Even before learning this, I’ve always wanted to somehow help them out. History shows us how much they lost and how much they endured. Most still live in poverty. For example, the Paiute Pyramid Lake reservation doesn’t even have any parks, except for the playground equipment by the old St. Mary’s church. Nixon, the town within the reservation, is a small rural town.

National Native Americans Month was created to bring awareness of the Native Americans’ plight. I would like in any way I can expand on that. That is why I decided to write a novel set on a reservation to be released in November, National Native Americans Month.

 

The Aimee Brent Mystery Series is one of two award-nominated and winning mystery series that you have written. Who is Aimee Brent and what are her adventures so far?

Aimee is a dreamer and wants to land that big story that will take her to a big-time newspaper. However, she falls in love with her editor, and despite offers from the big guys, has decided to stay with the small newspaper. Her adventures have forced her to face her unknown past (ILL Conceived), have taken her deep into the Mexican jungles in search of her mother’s killer (Vengeance in My Heart,) and now have taken her deep into Paiute land.

You are a hybrid/indie author who writes in more than one genre. How do you find it swapping between genres, and do you have a favourite?

Some of the genres I’ve written in include mystery/suspense/thriller, young adult, inspirational, paranormal, children’s books, how-to, and others. One of my favourites is the inspirational line. I write a nonfiction series about miracles and angels. My other favourite is the mystery line. After completing one book, I switch to another series. I want my stories to always be fresh. This keeps them from becoming stale and repetitious.

Both the Aimee Brent Mystery series and the Harry Bronson Thriller Series have appeared on several bestseller lists, including Kindle and Barnes & Noble. What difference has that made to your visibility as a writer? Are you reaching your readers?

The more I write, the more I reach readers, but like every author, I struggle to get my name out there. Hitting those bestseller lists fills my world with warm bubbles but so many readers still have to be introduced to my books. When the books hit the bestseller lists, the sales soar but soon begin to dip again.

You have lived a long and creative life after a difficult start as a preemie baby in Mexico. You are a grandmother and have also worked as a teacher for 20 years, teaching English in High School. And you hold a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso. Tell us something about your life and how it has influenced your writing in different ways.

I came to the United States when I was in the third grade. I spoke no English and had to quickly learn it. Now I consider it my first language. Unfortunately, I still have some basic grammar problems that I’ll probably never overcome. When it comes to editing, I have to analyze each sentence. The fact that I like to make up words only adds to my dilemma!

How easy is it for older women - and indeed older men - to find an audience in today’s competitive world?

I had the opportunity to go to Hollywood to pitch my novel idea to major producers. At that time, I only wrote the very successful Harry Bronson series. He is a retired detective who buys a motor home and travels all over the U. S. finding mayhem everywhere he goes. Hollywood very clearly told me no one was interested in “old.” They wanted young.

However, through the years, readers of all ages have come to accept Bronson in spite of his age. That means that the readers are also accepting me, a senior citizen, who remains young at heart.

What happened when you travelled on several cruise lines, talking about your writing and books?

I “worked” for major cruise lines where I did presentations during the days at sea. My husband and I received a free cruise and major discounts on excursions and items purchased at their stores. To put a cherry on top of the pie, I received a check at the end of the cruise. And the best part was that we got to see so much of the world—places we would never be able to afford to visit and learn to love.

Some of my most devoted fans are folks I met while cruising. We shared a wonderful memory and now we share our love of books.

Based in Texas, you love travelling with your husband (and dog) while researching your novels. Where do you like to go and what discoveries have you made along the way?

Basically, this is how it works. I ask myself, where do I want to visit? Then I set my novel in that place and go research it. Some of the gems in my novels come directly from our travel experiences. For example, we were in the wilds of upper Canada when a white wolf crossed our path. In What Lies Beyond the Fence, Bronson has such an encounter. 

When Aimee Brent is in Mexico, she is forced to scuba dive. Immediately, my husband, our sons, and I got certified to scuba dive. Heck, I’m not letting my characters have more fun than me!

Together with writing, you have several other pursuits - drawing, reading, travelling, and scuba diving. Tell us something about those, and what you love to read when you’re not working.

I spend most of my time reading thrillers and suspense novels—especially those by indie authors. But I do vary. For example, I’m currently reading one of the books from the Left Behind Series.

Since I love to draw, I usually try to include one of my drawings in my angel and miracle series. That ties both loves: drawing and writing.

Most water sports, travelling, and camping—I love those. They relax me, provide me with a chance to further my writing, and stimulate my brain.

You describe yourself as a religious person - how far does that inform your writing?

My angel and miracles series (4 so far in that series) is strictly based on the idea that miracles and angels do exist. However, I tell each story and let the reader decide if it was a miracle or just a coincidence.

When Bronson’s wife got kidnapped (Why Casey Had to Die) in desperation, Bronson turned to God and promised to start attending church if He’d lead him to his wife. He kept his promise. Although his belief in God is strong, he keeps it to himself. Once when a policeman finds Bronson in church, he says, “I never figured you to be a churchman.” Bronson replies, “Imagine that.” And that’s basically how he handles being religious.

In the Aimee Brent Series, there’s no mention of religion but who knows what the future will bring.

Crime novels and thrillers are often about ideas of justice and the restoration of balance after a crime has been committed. What are your thoughts about this?

I’m all for that. I believe in the “happily-ever-after” theory of life. My characters—especially Bronson and Aimee—put themselves in horrible circumstances and the readers wonder how they’ll ever survive—or if! But then, here comes the “happily-ever-after.”

Is there a sequel to That Last Ghost Dance? What are you working on next?

Since I’ve just finished an Aimee Brent book, I’m switching to either Bronson or another angel and miracle book. I’m working on the angel stories but I might not have enough to yet make a book. So I’ll probably write the 7th in the Bronson series. However, after what I put Aimee through in That Last Ghost Dance, I feel her tugging at my heart and urging me to continue with her story. In this particular novel, I developed a very strong bond with Aimee. I felt each of her heartaches, her fears, and her determination. So I’m iffy about that next book: Aimee or Bronson? What do you think?

Amazon

About L.C. Hayden:

L.C. Hayden is the author of the popular Harry Bronson and Aimee Brent mystery series. Her works have been finalists for the Agatha and LCC Awards, hit the Pennsylvania Top 40, the B&N Top 10, and the Kindle Best Seller Lists. Her angel/miracle series are International Best Sellers. Hayden is also a popular speaker. She presents workshops, has spoken to clubs, and major cruise lines have hired her to speak while cruising all over the world. From October 2006 to October 2007, Hayden hosted Mystery Writers of America’s only talk show, Murder Must Air.

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