Penny Ehrenkranz is a talented author, who writes for both adults and children. I’m delighted to have Penny and her story-telling here today, as I’m expecting my little niece, and I’m hoping Penny will be able to help keep her entertained. I also have some buns and lemonade all ready, so excuse me talking with my mouth full!
Lovely to meet you, Penny!
Where have you come from today? I live in a small rural community about 30 miles NW of Portland, Oregon. I have also lived in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Of all the places I’ve been, I have to say I am completely in love with Oregon.
Oregon always reminds me of another children’s author, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her Pa always wanted to settle there, but he never made it. It sounds a beautiful place.
Where is your favourite place in the world? I love to travel, and I’ve been fortunate to see most of Europe, parts of Canada, and several provinces in China. But my most favorite place to be is at the coast. I love the ocean and spending time at the beach. Long Beach, Washington is one of my favorite spots along the NW Pacific coast.
By the sea is one of my favourite places to be, as well. I’d love to see the Pacific one day!
Being a writer is a great job. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? All of my “day” jobs have been interesting. I’m not sure I could classify any one of them as the worst, as each gave me fodder for various characters and stories. I’ve done everything from waitressing and cleaning hotel rooms, to being the office manager of a district attorney’s office.
What book do you wish you’d written? Tolkien’s Lord of the Ring trilogy. I love that series and can only hope to write a tenth as good as he does.
If only!
What’s your favourite song? The Moody Blues’ Nights in White Satin.
Lovely choice. That takes me back!
If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them? I would love to meet my dad, who died when I was ten. I would tell him how much I miss him and wish he could have stayed with us to see me become a wife, a mother and a grandmother. It was his bedtime storytelling which set me on my course of wanting to be a writer.
He sounds like a great dad, Penny.
What’s your happiest childhood memory? That would probably be the Christmas just before my dad got sick. We had just moved into the home my parents purchased, after previously living in rentals. That Christmas, I got my first two-wheeled bike. It was blue and silver with blue and silver tassels on the handgrips. I loved that bike. My mom has a picture of me sitting on it in front of the tree. I’ve got a grin on my face that goes from ear to ear.
Lovely memory!
If you had to marry a fictional character, from film, television, or books, who would it be? One of my favorite fictional characters is Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden. So, I guess if I had to marry a fictional character, I guess I might choose him. This was probably the hardest question you asked! So many choices…
I know. But it’s fun thinking about them, though! :)
What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? Never give up. No matter how bad things may seem for you, there is always someone else who has it much worse.
And finally, please tell us about your latest book, where we can find it, and where we can find your blog/website
I have several short stories which were published recently through MuseItUp Publishing: Love Delivery, a contemporary romance, Lady in Waiting, an historical romance, and Mirror, Mirror, a time travel romance. They can be purchased through the MuseItUp bookstore
My most recent book, however, is a picture book for young children ages eighteen months to six years, Boo’s Bad Day. This
can be purchased through the 4RV Publishing bookstore
All of my books are also available through Amazon and other online booksellers.
My website is http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.yolasite.com and my blog is at http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com . Please stop by my website for excerpts and other information about my books.
Thanks very much for leaving your lovely home state to come all this way and talk to us, Penny. It’s been great to meet you. And now I’m going to pour us all some more lemonade, and tell me niece all about Boo’s Bad Day!
If you have any questions or comments for Penny, please let me know. We’d love to hear from you!
Helena Fairfax 
Great interview Penny and Helena. I, too, love the Pacific Coast. We lived in the San Francisco area and in Washington State and spent time on the seashore in Oregon. Best wishes for your children’s book, Penny!
Susan Bernhardt
The Ginseng Conspiracy
http://www.susanbernhardt.com
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I would love to go to the Pacific Coast, Susan. It sounds wonderful. Thanks for your comment.
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Thanks for stopping to comment and for the good wishes. I love the NW and can’t imagine living anywhere else.
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Hi Penny and Helena
Lovely interview. I loved getting to know you a bit better Penny.
Nancy
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Thanks for taking the time to come by, Nancy :)
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Nancy, thank you for commenting. One of these days, you may find me knocking on your door and really getting to know me better! LOL
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Great interview ladies….Awe, the Pacific Coast. We traveled up Highway 1 from San Diego to San Fran….Beautiful, the whole way!
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That sounds like such a fabuous journey, Penny. Thanks for coming by!
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The Pacific Coast Highway is gorgeous. Next time you’ll have to come all the way through Oregon. There’s always room for visitors.
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Hey, Helena and Penny. You do have some of the best questions around, Helena! Penny, you come across as a strong, calm woman. Frequently, I find “creatives” to be a bit intense. (Myself included. :) )Maybe where you live influences that. Maybe, it’s Helena’s delightful way of hosting. BTW, the lemonade was scrumptious. Good luck with your writing, Penny.I’ll help spread the word, and I’ll be picking up BOO for my grands. :)
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Glad you enjoyed the lemonade, Marsha. I think I needed the refreshment more than my great-niece and nephew, after a strenuous day at the park! Thanks so much for your lovely comment :)
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Marsha, if you do get a copy, I hope your grandkids enjoy it. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I do feel calm most of the time, and, yes, a lot of it has to do with where we live. It’s so peaceful here.
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Great interview, ladies. Nice to get to know you better, Penny.
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Thanks very much, Sharon. Good of you to come by!
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Thanks, Sharon. Helena asked some very interesting questions!
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A great interview, Penny. Your dad sounds like he was wonderful, and it’s obvious his storytelling was a strong influence on you. Your story about your two wheeled bike left me grinning, but not quite from ear to ear.
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Great comment, John. I smiled too about the bike. Memories like that are more precious than anything
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Hi John, thanks for stopping and commenting. I definitely have very vivid memories of that bike!
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Hey, Penny, I learned a lot more about you,,,all good I should add. I had my dad for 28 years, but so many days I wish I could tell him about things I am experiencing. Dads are special. You honor your father with your creative writing and editing. I have enjoyed your stories and Boo is a cutie! Best wishes.
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Thanks JQ. A lovely comment.
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Janet, thank you for your kind words. I would like to think my dad and I would have remained close had he lived. He has a special place in my heart.
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Great interview Penny! I learned a lot about you.
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Thanks for coming by, Elle!
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Hi Elle, glad there was something new to learn and that you took time from your busy schedule to read and comment.
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How incredible it is to be able to write different genres like you do, Penny! Good luck with all your stories and projects!
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Great comment, Marie! I’d love to try writing a children’s book some day. I’ll be back to ask Penny for tips!
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Thanks Marie. I love being able to write in different genres. It keeps me from getting bored!
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Helena, thank you for hosting me today. Sorry I wasn’t able to stop in earlier. What fun to see so many friends stopping by to comment. You certainly have an active blog audience.
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A wonderful interview, ladies. I wish you could see your dad again, Penny, but I bet he’s watching you right now and is very pleased with his lovely daughter. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Best of luck to you.
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Thanks for coming by, Beverly, and your great comment. Penny’s dad really would be proud of his lovely daughter
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Hi Bev, thanks for taking time from your own busy writing schedule to stop by. Yes, I think my dad would be pleased with how my life turned out. I certainly am :-)
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