Larada Horner-Miller is a poet and essayist who lives with her husband in Tijeras, New Mexico—a town nestled in the east mountains above Albuquerque. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in Spanish and a master of education degree in integrating technology into the classroom. For thirteen years, she was a beautician until transitioning into what would become a twenty-seven year career in education.
1. When did you first realise you wanted to be an writer?
I was in my thirties. I had become an middle English teacher and participated in the National Writing Project, a professional development workshop. We were treated like writers and it was there that I realized I was a writer.
2. In what kind of environment do you work best in?
I work best in a coffee shop atmosphere where there is some gentle background sound and a good cup of coffee.
3. What's your favourite thing about being a writer?
My favorite thing about being a writer is getting to live life twice – once when it happens and then again when I write about it.
4. How did you come up with the idea for your latest book?
My Mom died last year and I wrote poetry to deal with the grief. I read my poetry to my therapist and she encouraged me to think about a book of poetry.
5. Do you ever base your characters on people you know?
Yes and no
6. Do you ever wish that some of your characters were real?
Yes
7. What do your family and friends think about your book/s?
My family and friends are very proud of me. My brother is my best promoter.
8. Do you plan out your books or do you just go with the flow?
I go with the flow and then I change it in the revision process.
9. Who is your favourite author?
My favorite author is Tony Hillerman.
10. What’s your favourite genre?
My favorite genre is mysteries.
11. What’s next for you?
My next book is a poetry book about my grief process when my Mom died last year.
12. What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
I waited 20+ years to publish my book—don’t wait!
13. What’s your favourite movie?
My favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz.
14. If you were stranded on an island which three items could you not live with out?
I could not live without my iPad.
15. If you could be born in another time when would you choose and why?
I would be born in the 1890’s in the west because of the wild free life style.
16. If you wrote an autobiography about yourself what would you call it?
My recently self-published book is a memoir. It is called, This Tumbleweed Landed.
17. What your guilty pleasure?
Raspberries
18. What’s your favourite season and why?
My favorite season is the summer because I am always cold in the other seasons. I love the hit.
19. Do you have a nickname?
Yes, my Dad called me “Shorty” and my friends at home called me “Rada.”
20. How do you handle writers block?
I use Natalie Goldberg’s ideas of a 7 minute free write.
21. What’s your favourite writing snack/ drink?
Coffee
22. What three words best describe you?
Enthusiastic, busy, passionate
23. What your fondest childhood memory?
My fondest childhood memories was spending time on our ranch in the corral, training my horse, Prince as a 4-H project.
24. Would you prefer a quiet night in or a night on the town?
A night on the town
25. What has been the best day of your life so far?
My best day in my life was when I married Lin Miller.
26. If you could go back in time what one piece of advice would you give yourself?
Don’t marry the 3 husbands before Lin Miller.
27. If you only had one more day to live how would you spend it?
I would dance!
28. For many of us writing is not our full time job, what is yours?
I am a retired middle school English, Spanish and computer teacher.
Read about this daddy's little girl and her adventures that mold and shape her formative years. Where will this tumbleweed land, and what kind of woman will she be when she finally arrives?
