We’re so proud to introduce Roberta Kagan, a dear friend of M.L. Gardner, and author of many successful books including “A Flicker of Light,” The Heart of a Gypsy,” and her most recent “Lilly.” As a child, Kagan discovered that the Holocaust had claimed the lives of her parents’ extended family. Profoundly affected, she began researching the period and has since written many books set during Nazi occupation. You can purchase her book “A Flicker of Light” here.
Describe your books/genre to our readers.
First off I would like to thank M.L.Gardner and her entire staff for offering me this wonderful opportunity. I am honored to be associated with such a fine and talented author.
I write Historical Novels. Most, but not all, are set during the Holocaust. I try to stay as true to the period as possible. However, I do have a message that I want to convey to my readers and that is that as dark as things may seem, if we look deep enough God will provide us with a flicker of light. By the way, that is why I titled my first published novel “A Flicker of Light.”
How and why did you become an author? Do you write full time?
When I was a child, times were tough at home. Quite often books were my only salvation. I found that no matter how bad things got I could go and sit under the weeping willow tree in my back yard with my cat Harry, and escape into another world through the pages of a book. This was a gift that was given to me by, what I considered my heroes, authors. As I got older, I wanted to share this gift with others. I wanted my readers to experience the wonder of books the way I had. And so…I began to write.
I do not write full time yet, but it is my dream to be able to afford to do so. However, even should that dream never becomes a reality, if I can even touch even just one person the way Steinbeck, or Hemmingway, touched me, then I will have achieved something truly wonderful in my life and I will be forever grateful.
What inspires you?
Everything inspires me. I am keenly aware of everything around me all of the time. The piece I am working on now was inspired by a visit to an exhibit at an art museum. I spent the day with my daughter looking at the art work that Dr. Goebells used as propaganda to help Hitler’s rise to power. When I got home, I could not eat or sleep. The pictures were rolling around in my mind. By two in the morning, I’d begun the novel. It seems that writing is the only way to release the emotions that are sometimes overwhelming to me.
Describe a typical day.
I must admit that I don’t know what a typical day might be. Every day for me is different. I do not have a specific routine. The only thing I can say that I am consistent with is feeding the cat twice a day. He wouldn’t have it any other way!
What are 3 fun things we should know about you?
Three fun things about me? Hmmmm…now that is a good question. Let’s see. I was a juvenile delinquent, didn’t want to go to school at all. I am a devout champion of the underdog, and boy does that get me into trouble some times. But most of all, I love and honor every one of my readers. I feel privileged and humbled that they would take the time to read my work and allow me into their lives.
What advice would you give to new authors?
Enjoy the ride! Every day is a learning experience. Respect your readers; it is a privilege to serve them. Take this privilege very seriously and only share the work that comes from your heart.
How can our readers contact you?
I welcome any emails, or friend requests, from any readers. You can find me at my website: http://robertakagan.com/Or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Rkagan4
Again, thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity. Many blessings and much success to all of you, Roberta Kagan
Playing in the Past 