Meet Vivian Zabel

Today’s guest is Vivian Zabel. Vivian has been a storyteller and reader as long as she can remember. When she was in the eighth grade, she told a friend that she was going to write a novel. Her friend laughed at her, but she knew one day she would. Vivian, a teacher of English and composition for twenty-seven years, has written poetry, short stories, novels and articles, and to improve her knowledge of writing, not only to be a better teacher but to also to hone her skills, she likes to attend workshops, clinics, and classes every year.

It looks like your most recent release is “Prairie Dog Cowboy,” could you give me a brief overview of this story?

Prairie Dog Cowboy is a testament of a time when life was hard, but people weren't afraid of hard work. The day-to-day occurrences represented are an accurate telling of the time, history that should not be lost.

To give you a feel for the story: Buddy Roberts wants to be a cowboy. From the time he’s four-years old, he herds his father’s cows and calves on foot, even in winter. Neighbor rancher Caleb Hyman is impressed and can see the man Buddy will one day become so he encourages him and teaches him to rope, promising him he'll give the boy a job on his ranch once Buddy can rope a prairie dog. Not an easy thing to do, but Buddy works hard to reach his appointed goal.

What was the motivation behind writing this tale?

My husband shared many stories about his being a cowboy and breaking horses and I wanted to include those stories in a book. He was raised on his family's farm, which had been homesteaded years after the time covered in Prairie Dog Cowboy, but I could use his experiences adjusted to an earlier time period.

I see you also write mysteries, could you tell me a bit about your book "Midnight Hours?"

In Midnight Hours, while struggling to recover from a gunshot wound, homicide lieutenant Martin Rogers discovers an online "interest" may be a serial killer responsible for the death of several disabled men. Martin’s interest changes from that of a man for a woman to that of a homicide detective for a suspect when Midnight attaches a photo of herself to an email – identical to that of one folded in the pocket of a dead paraplegic. Confusion reigns when an Assistant District Attorney is discovered to be the unknowing model for the face in the photo. Lt. Rogers and friends set up a sting to capture Midnight, but she disappears like wisps of fog. Every lead results in dead ends and more confusion. Midnight brings death on the internet. Preying on helpless men, she offers love but gives them a grave, but who and what is Midnight? Martin must find this killer before she can add him to her list of victims.

What made you want to write “Midnight Hours;” was there any inspiration behind the book?

I had an online friend who was extremely secretive. She went to unbelievable lengths to keep anyone from knowing where she was, really from knowing who she was. I took her behavior, added a huge dose of imagination, and Midnight was born.

What other books do you have available?

Personally, I have two other juvenile books: The Base Stealers Club and Case of the Missing Coach. Both are baseball mysteries and written under the name I use for young adult and middle grade novels V. Gilbert Zabel. I'm also included in a book of short stories, Hidden Lies and Other Stories by Vivian Gilbert Zabel and Holly Jahangiri, and I was the senior editor and a contributor--with seven other poets--to Walking the Earth: Life's Perspective in Poetry.

How do you find balance between your writing, your family, and your company 4RVPublishing?

At times, 4RV Publishing takes priority. Other times, family does. Once in a while, my writing is on "the front burner." I'm always "writing" in my mind though and when I'm unable to sleep I can accomplish quite a bit of work during the hours when no one else is around (physically, online, or on the phone).

Where can readers find/buy your books?

My books can be found on the 4RV Bookstore, on Amazon.com, and from any bookstore, which can order the books if they are not in stock. Also, if anyone wants to know more about me, my website is http://viviangilbertzabel.com, and I have three blogs: Vivian's Site, Brain Cells & Bubble Wrap, and Vivian's Mysteries.