SEELIE KAY: Postcards from The Ledge: This week in The Loft: Author Helen Henderson

Joining me this week in The Loft is author Helen Henderson. The descendant of a coal miner's daughter and an aviation flight engineer, Helen credits her upbringing on a farm and her Gemini birth sign with enabling her to delve into all types of fiction, from westerns and science fiction to romantic fantasy. The prolific author has penned the Dragski Chronicles and Windmaster Novels, as well as many articles on local, American and military history, and antiques and collectibles. Helen believes her research and writing in multiple genres has provided her with special insight into fantasy worlds.

Author Helen Henderson

S: Thanks for joining me in The Loft, Helen!

Tell me, what inspires your flights of fantasy?

H: Regardless of whether it was the stand-alone dark fantasy "Imprisoned in Stone" or one of the novels in the two romance fantasy series, the Dragshi Chronicles or the Windmaster Novels, each of the tales was captured while Celtic music played in the background. No single song provided inspiration, although I admit that I wore out my tape of "Ireland's Call," as performed by Celtic Thunder. However, my formal answer is the piano solo played at the end of each episode of "The Incredible Hulk." The haunting tones of the "Lonely Man Theme" have applied to a character, a fantasy setting, and even a scene of leave-taking on the eve of battle.

S: Wow. That's so interesting. Creative minds are inspired by so many different things, but I think music plays a very important role for many.

Do you have an alternative occupation?

H: (Smiles.) I love the term "alternative occupation!" It is much more elegant than "day job" and also shows the emphasis of writing as an occupation. At the moment, although the work is unpaid, an activity that takes up most of my time is care giving for a family member. Before that task became full-time, I worked in several fields, including electronics, pharmaceuticals, finance, and insurance. My titles have varied from administrative assistant to departmental secretary, computer programmer to system analyst, and technical writer to marketing communications specialist.

S: You've been a busy lady!

What do you crave?

H: Chocolate is always a must. Sometimes when you move to a different part of the country, as I did a few years ago, you find out that for whatever reason--maybe you live farther inland now--a food that was once readily available is now either exorbitantly expensive or not available at all. Which can lead to cravings. For example, I would love to be sitting on the waterfront watching the sunset while eating fried scallops from the local fishery. Unfortunately, there is no waterfront or fresh scallops where I'm now living. I'd also like a large chocolate éclair from a New York City bakery.

S: (Nods.) If anything, I think travel has increased my cravings for certain foods. Living in Wisconsin, I have plenty of access to beer, cheese, and brats, but I would kill for a bakery with genuine French pastries, or a place with Italian street food or Spanish tapas.

A genie grants you one wish. What is it?

H: Some people would wish for long life, or happiness, or enough gold to fill a dozen vaults. However, in order to answer that question, I would need to know the rules. Can I benefit from the wish or does it have to help someone else? Is there something that I can't wish for or a time frame in which the wish has to be used? If there are no restrictions, my one wish is simple—to have an unlimited number of wishes.

S: (Laughs.) Why not?

If there is such a thing as reincarnation, what would you like to return to earth as and why?

H: In my younger days, I would have said a horse. Even now, equines, although of the magical kind, appear in each of my fantasy tales. The falaire, seidheirn, and seisag are loyal, honorable, and possess strength and intelligence beyond a true horse. If I couldn't be one of them, I'd at least want to be accepted as their rider and as such, a member of their herd. But that doesn't really answer your question because I couldn't be reincarnated as a mythical, magical creature. So, after having had one grace my home for over 15 years, I choose to live my next life as a cat. They bestow their loyalty and favors as they choose. They rule their human's heart. They can have a door opened for them or food placed in their dish with a simple meow. And if that doesn't work, they just yell louder or slam a door or dish.

S: Yup, the life of a cat is to be envied!

Tell me about your book, "Windmaster Legend."

H: It's about a forbidden love. An impossible quest. Threats to life and career. If love survives, there is one more challenge—the accusation of witchcraft. Here's the blurb--

Fate conspired to keep Iol and Pelra apart. Friendship is allowed between members of competing trading houses, but nothing more. He loves the sea and wants his own ship. She hates the deep blue and has worked too hard to allow her dreams to be sidetracked by the lure of magic. Despite a beautiful woman on his arm every night, Leod wanted the one he couldn’t have—Pelra. His kin on the ruling council did more than put him on the fast track to his own ship. It provided him the power to fulfill his desires, or to ruin those who refused him.

Exiled to distant posts, given impossible challenges, and subject to Leod’s machinations, Iol and Pelra only have the hope of a future together to sustain them. But can their love survive the accusation of witchcraft?