Saylor:
If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or
body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you
want?
Darcia:
This is a difficult question. My initial thought was that I’d like to retain my
mind. But, as I consider that, I realize that my mind became a much calmer
place in my forties and now early fifties than it was in my thirties. So
retaining the mind of a 30-year-old would mean not gaining the insight,
confidence, and peace I now have. The advantage, of course, is that I’d have a
better memory and less clutter in my head. I just don’t think that’s a good
trade-off. Retaining the body, however, doesn’t seem to have any
disadvantages. Initially, it feels like a shallow thing, to want to retain a
youthful body. But, in considering this question, I realize that retaining the
body of a 30-year-old comes with better health, which is vital to happiness.
And maybe that would also keep my mind healthy. So I’ll go with retaining
the body.
Saylor:
For what do you feel most grateful?
Darcia:
I am most grateful, without question, for my husband. I have chronic Lyme
disease, with a lot of neurological complications. My declining health, and the
resulting medical bills, has been a problem throughout our marriage. My
husband never complains. He has stood by me and supported me throughout
all the ups and downs. Sure, he irritates me sometimes. We’re all faulty
humans, right? The important thing is that each and every day he shows me,
in all sorts of little and big ways, what love is all about.
Saylor:
If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what
would it be?
Darcia:
This question reminds me of the times, during my teen years, in a fit of anger
at my mother, I’d proclaim things like, “I will never say/do that to my kids!”
Then, of course, I did/said those same things, or other things equally
irritating to my own children.
One thing I’d change that comes to mind has to do with having a father figure.
My biological father walked out on us when I was four. My mother met my
dad (stepfather) when I was 15, so a lot of years went by without a father in
my life. I think it would have been nice to have a father during my childhood.
Then there are a variety of minor things I wish had been different about my
upbringing. The problem with any change we might make to our past is that
even the little things help set us on the path we take as adults. If I’d grown up
with a father, countless other things would then have been different, which
would have altered my life in a variety of ways and likely set me on an
entirely different path.
I was fortunate to have a mother and one set of grandparents who loved me
unconditionally. If I could change any one thing about the way I was raised, I
think it would have to be for me to show a little more gratitude for the
sacrifices they made.
Saylor:
If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one quality or ability,
what would it be?
Darcia:
The ability to magically melt fat from the body, so I could eat hot fudge
sundaes for breakfast every morning.
Saylor:
What is your most treasured memory?
Darcia:
My grandfather playing the guitar is one of my most treasured memories.
Sometimes, all these years later, in quiet moments, I can still—almost—hear
him playing.
Saylor:
What projects are you working on now?
Darcia:
I’m currently writing book #4 in my Michael Sykora Series. This series is in
the suspense/thriller genre, and Michael is, I think, a likable killer. I’m also in
the process of formatting the fourth book in the Mind’s Eye Series. This is a
collaboration between multiple authors and photographers, in which we
write stories and poetry inspired by photos.
BIO:
Darcia Helle lives with her husband in a house ruled by spoiled dogs, cats and the occasional dust
bunny. Suspense, random blood spatter and mismatched socks consume Darcia’s days. She writes
because the characters trespassing through her mind leave her no alternative. Only then are the
voices free to haunt someone else’s mind.
Join Darcia in her fictional world: www.QuietFuryBooks.com
The characters await you.
http://www.QuietFuryBooks.com
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