WARRIOR WEEKEND: D.E. Haggarty

Hello Space Cadets! Today, I wanted to introduce you to another author from my WARRIOR WEEKEND INTERVIEW SERIES, D E Haggarty.  She isn’t another science fiction author, but I made myself a promise when I started this series of interviews to include anyone who writes, edits or works in the various roles that compromise the traditional publishing agencies if they had the qualifications.  The only requirement, time in the uniformed service of their country.  If they were Canadian soldiers or German Marines, they would be interviewed here.  This policy lead me to Madam Haggarty, an Army veteran living abroad who writes romantic escapades.  And hey, I like it that she can give my shenanigans a run for their money!

 

So, without further ado – let’s get cranking!

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Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I grew-up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom’s Harlequin romances, to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the Army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But being a lawyer really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out being a B&B owner wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before deciding to follow the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

 

Tell me a little about your military service?

Two lifetimes ago, I was in the Army for five years as a military police woman. I joined for the GI Bill to pay for law school. I got more than I bargained for! Military police work is more varied than the civilian law forces. I’ve done security work, been seconded with NATO, and worked as a plain clothes detective as well as just the typical police work.

 

How do you feel that your military service has influenced your writing?

The biggest influence the military has had on my writing is not in my stories themselves but in the writing of them. I have no problem being disciplined and getting my butt in front of the computer at least five days a week. My friends think 6 a.m. is early to be working, we military people know better 😉 I’m also very anal about details in my novels that no one probably even notices. For example, I’ll check things like flights to make sure the timing works and that there are direct flights from the locations I’m writing about. I blame that on my military police training. I’m sure I wasn’t this uptight before my military service. Well, pretty sure.

 

Do you think your military service, and more specifically your training, adds to the realism in your books?  If so, how?

One of the genres I like to write is murder mystery. My training and experience as a military police officer adds some realism to these mysteries, but I take some – okay, a lot – of artistic license because I like to make readers laugh.

 

When did you start pursuing your writing more seriously?

I tried – without success – to get serious about my writing a few times in my adult life. It was when I was on my third career that my husband suggested I try to self-publish, and I finally got serious.

 

Of all your work, which was your favorite to write?

That’s like asking a parent which child is their favorite! My most recently published novel is usually my favorite as I’m like a proud mama bear when it releases. Since I just released Fat Girl Begone!, it’s my current favorite.

 

How many of your characters were inspired by your military service?

Besides Unforeseen Consequences, which is completely based upon my time in the military, the other characters based on my military service are the police officers. Because the structure of the police and how they work is similar to the military, I can often use my military experiences when making the police characters in my novels.

 

How many of the scenes you wrote were inspired from your service?

Other than Unforeseen Consequences, I don’t really have scenes that were inspired from my time in the service.

 

Do you feel like your writing has served any therapeutic value for you?  Has it helped you process your experiences?

Definitely. I wrote Unforeseen Consequences as a sort of therapy to process my thoughts and experiences.

 

If you could serve with any of your characters, who would it be and why?

The heroes of my murder mystery series Death by Cupcake. They are two police officers who are willing to do pretty much anything to protect the women they love. That kind of dedication is what a soldier needs.

 

If you would want to avoid serving with any of your characters, who would it be and why?

Um… is it too mean girl to say all of the others? Okay, that is totally mean. It’s impossible to know what people are capable of until they’re in a certain situation. I’m sure – no, I know! – nearly everyone I’ve served with me underestimated me. I’m changing my answer. I’ll willing to give everyone a chance. Well, except for the murderers in my murder mysteries (but I can’t exactly tell you who those are, now can I?).

 

What are you currently working on?

I’m working on a historical romance set in Istanbul during the Second World War. Research will be my best friend for the next months.

 

How can people find you?

1. Amazon
2. E-Mail: dena@dehaggerty.com
3. Facebook
4. Twitter
5. Website

 

If this convinced you to find out more, look up D.E. Haggarty.  I hope you all had a great time getting to know about her, and don’t be afraid to say hello over on her website.  If she doesn’t respond quick enough, glitter bomb her!  Mwahahaha!!

 

 

Until next time, stay frosty and don’t forget to keep your powder dry!

JR

 

 –> As usual, all images came from the Google’s “labeled for reuse” section or are screen grabs taken by JR Handley for use under the Fair Use Doctrine.