I’d like to welcome Sue-Ellen Welfonder to Fallen Angel Reviews. Sue-Ellen is currently an author with Warner books with six novels under her belt. Welcome!

I’d like to start out by asking you a few questions about yourself.

You mention meeting your husband in Munich, can you give us a few more details? Exactly how did you meet?

We met in a pub on one of my Munich layovers. He walked in and ended up at our table - next to me. It is common in Bavaria for people to share tables in pubs. It was love at first sight so I always smile when someone argues the possibility of such a thing. I even turned to a friend as he entered the pub and said, "Here comes my dream man - I am going to marry that man." That was well over twenty years ago. The longer version is that he took me on a scenic drive to see the Alps the next day and we were in a horrific head-on collision. (not his fault) I was so severely injured that I could not leave Germany for six months. That gave us time to get to know each other. We married about a year later and lived in Munich for fifteen years.

Do you ever miss working for the airlines? If so, what do you miss the most? Other than the cheap tickets (grin).

Yes, of course. Flying was my dream job, what I'd always wanted to do. Clearly, I miss the free travel benefits, but most of all the flying itself. I never tired of flying and always found take-off especially thrilling. I also enjoyed looking out the window. Flying is a wonderful way to see the world and experience many different cultures.

Of all things you have accomplished, is there one accomplishment you are most proud of?

Aside from seeing my books sell, probably mastering German. I love words and so I am very pleased to be to fluent in another language. I speak, read, and write German. It took me two years to learn.

Most people only dream of becoming a successful writer. Now that you have accomplished that is there anything else you dream of doing?

Yes, I would love to learn to play the violin. I love classical music and especially the violin. Taking violin lessons is number one on my 'someday' list.

What is a typical day like for you?

Never long enough! I am up by 8 a.m., but since I am not a morning person, I check e-mail and do housework until about 10 a.m. Then I start reading and editing what I wrote the previous day. I break for lunch at about 1 p.m. and then write straight through until early evening. I then ride my bike for an hour. The time spent in the fresh air and exercising always proves great for getting ideas, which is how I justify taking that time away from my desk. I do my best writing late at night, usually beginning about 10 p.m. and through till the small hours. I also break several times a day to walk my little dog, a Jack Russell Terrier. I keep this schedule seven days a week with the exception being the time I spend in Scotland.

Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?

Oh, yes. They are very vivid and real. And, yes, they invade my dreams. I often get up in the middle of the night to jot down some snippet of conversation or a quick sketch of a scene - something that pops into my mind as I sleep or drift to sleep. I consider such things gifts and they always seem to be just what I needed for the story.

While writing, how does the story develop for you? Do you go from start to finish or create scenes as they come to you?

My stories are mostly inspired by atmospheric places I visit in Scotland. I'll be somewhere really special over there, and the atmosphere sparks the story. The whole storyline comes to me at once, start to finish. I write that way, too. From the first line straight through to the end. Ideas for a future scene might pop into my mind and I'll it jot down so I do not lose it. But basically, I write straight through, start to finish. I always edit and polish a chapter before I move on to the next. I could never blast through a rough first draft as so many do. So I am a very slow writer. But when I am done, I am done.

I've been seeing a number of discussions on the Yahoo groups about Happily-Ever-After. Do you feel that HEA is necessary to a romance novel?

I am not aware of such discussions, but then I keep a very low profile - I am not on any loops. Nor do I visit reader message boards, so I missed this. For myself, yes, the 'great HEA' is a definite must. I love the 'being swept away into another time and place aspect' of historical romances and I find the classic HEA very satisfying. I would not want to miss it. Real life is tough enough and can be quite bitter and hard at times - so when I read, or write, I want pure escapism. The kind of HEA that so rarely happens in the real world.

Of all the individuals you have created, do you have a particular favorite? What appeals to you the most about this character?

Definitely Devorgilla. She is a meddlesome crone who weaves mischief throughout my books. She is my alter-ego and gets away with being sassy and bold where I might bite my tongue. She also 'helps' me do my newsletters sometimes and is known for being outrageous. My readers seem to be fond of her, too. One recently sent me a darling likeness of the old gal. A wonderfully vivid painted clay likeness that is remarkably close to the way I have always envisioned Devorgilla. So she now has a place of pride on my desk and watches over me as I work.

Was there any one person or event in your life that finally inspired you to sit down and write your first book?

Yes, retired romance author, Becky Lee Weyrich. I loved her paranormals and wrote her a fan letter. We became friends and I'd send her long letters describing my travel adventures. She encouraged me to write. Without her influence, I would surely still be flying. I am not one of the many who claim to have been writing since before first grade. Writing was never a goal or dream for me. Flying was my life. I just sort of slid into writing - thanks to Becky.

Your latest book, Only for a Knight, brings back Robbie from Devil in a Kilt. What was it about Robbie that made you write him his own book? Was that something you had planned all along?

Well, all my books are connected. There currently are two series. The MacKenzie books that started with DEVIL IN A KILT and the MacLean books that began with KNIGHT IN MY BED. I enjoy writing connected stories and believe many readers enjoy them, too. So I think it is natural for an author to look for potential heroes and heroines in earlier books - unless they wish to create a wholly new set of characters with each book. So, yes, I have always planned to do Robbie's story. I chose him above others because he was such a sad little boy in DEVIL IN A KILT. I wanted to give him a happier adult life.

I saw that you have a book, The Bloodstone of Dalriada, coming out next year written under the pseudonym Allie Mackay. What made you choose to use a different name? And can you give us a sneak peek?

Yes, I am now also writing for NAL as Allie Mackay. The title of the first book, out in Sept. 2006, will be changed. Bloodstone was my working title. I do not yet know the new title but will post it on my website when I do. The choice to use Allie Mackay was wholly my own and simply because I wanted a name that signified Scottish books and sounded catchy. I opted to go with my real name with my Warner books because my husband's feelings would have been hurt had I not used Welfonder. But writing Scottish books, I would have rather used a Scottish-sounding name. So this was my chance. My maiden name was MacDuffie but Mackay is a family name as well, so I chose it over my birth name. Allie was my grandmother's name. So the name has sentimental significance for me.

Re a sneak peek, the NAL books are Scottish-set paranormals. They have all the Highland atmosphere and lore my readers enjoy but are lighter in tone and with more humor. They are as hot as my medievals - perhaps even a bit more so. And the heroes are sexy medieval Highlanders, but in these books they are either ghosts suffering under some curse or legend, or the heroine meets them through time travel back to medieval Scotland. The books are a lot of fun to write because they let me live the fantasy thoughts I always indulge in when I am in the Highlands: what it would be like to have a sexy medieval Highlander appear out of the mist to ravish me!

Can you tell us a little about any other upcoming works?

Well, there are more Warner books on the way. UNTIL THE KNIGHT COMES, out in July 2006, is Kenneth's book. He is the bastard son of the villain in DEVIL IN A KILT and he first appeared in Robbie's book, ONLY FOR A KNIGHT. I really love Kenneth and he made a fantastic hero. 2007 will see Jamie's book. He is a secondary character who first appears in UNTIL THE KNIGHT COMES. After Jamie, I have a Scottish medieval trilogy about Macdonald sisters. Their books are tied to the MacKinnons of MacKinnons' Isle in WEDDING FOR A KNIGHT.

I do have to ask, what is it about a man in a kilt (grin)?

Grin, indeed! I can't imagine any man sexier than a kilted Highlander. It is very true that they wear nothing beneath - except their fine Highland pride. That alone surely excites female hearts. Add in their butter-soft burrs and women melt. They also possess an earthy sensuality that is incredibly irresistible. In addition to their magnificence in full Highland dress, they can also have a soft-heart and a deeply romantic side that is very seductive. And they are renown for extravagant bravery - even today. Plus they have deep-rooted 'hero' traits such as integrity and honor. Many also have a beautiful way with words, a gift I credit to hailing from a culture that enjoyed centuries of fireside storytelling. The ones I know all cherish and respect the traditions of the past, hold deep appreciation for the stunning beauty of their hills, and have an abiding respect for their history and heritage. Put all that in a kilt and, well ... there you go!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Only that I'd like to reassure my Scottish medieval readers that I am writing my Scottish-set paranormals in addition to my medievals, not as a replacement. I will never stop writing Scottish medievals. And that anyone wishing to be updated about my books might wish to join my mailing list. There is a form to do so on my website's "Of Note" page. Thank you so much for this interview. I appreciate it. SE

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to answer our questions. If you’re interested in learning more about Ms. Welfonder, check out her website at http://www.welfonder.com/index.htm. Thanks again.

Interviewed by: Serena