Today Rhodes Review is proud to present an interview with Mozelle Richardson, author of the spy thriller The Thyssen Affair.

Rhodes Review: Who are some of the writers you enjoy? Books?

Mozelle Richardson: I started writing in the 60’s and loved Mary Stuart. Any of her books influenced me. Until the Spy story brought me into contact with Ken Follett, Arthur Hailey,James Clavell, Jack Higgins, Jeffrey Archer.

Books: Anything by Mary Renault or Beau Gueste; anything by P. C. Wren. Destiny Bay, by Donn Byrne—I want that book buried with me. I stole it from the Plainview Public Library when I was 16 ( a junior in High School) and have read it probably 50 or more times.

Rhodes Review:  How do you come up Story Ideas.

Mozelle Richardson: From Travels, from newspaper articles—both foreign and local—from personal experiences.

Rhodes Review:  How do you get your inspiration/muse to write?

Mozelle Richardson: As soon as I get an idea there’s no stopping me. I write compulsively.

Rhodes Review:  What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Mozelle Richardson: Keeping the thread of the story in perspective.

Rhodes Review:  What’s the best thing about being an author?

Mozelle Richardson: Seeing your book in print!

Rhodes Review:  What advice would you give aspiring authors?

Mozelle Richardson: To Read, Read, Read.

Rhodes Review:  What is your current writing project?

Mozelle Richardson: At 96, to do a complete autobiography for my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren!

Rhodes Review:  What was the writing process like for The Thyssen Affair?

Mozelle Richardson: LONG! I wrote it in 1980. Then my husband became ill and for several years I forgot about the Book. Then I took it out again and the Cold War was over—the CIA and the KGB were friendly—and Spy stories were dead. Then about two years ago I asked a friend who was Director of the University of Oklahoma Press to have an editor read it and see if it was worth pursuing. He did and they said it was. So here I am.

Rhodes Review:  What made you want to write this book?

Mozelle Richardson: When I read that vandals had dug up the skull of a German Major buried for 35 years in a POW cemetery in Ft. Reno, Oklahoma, I thought here is a ready made plot and was fascinated by it. It kept me from writing anything else for 30 years!

Rhodes Review:  Amazon says you received your degree at 90. What advice would you give to readers who have considered dgoing to college, but feel that time has passed?

Mozelle Richardson: The time never passes! I hated my first two years in college—taking math, English Composition, languages, History and all of the other subjects that killed creative thought. So I didn’t go back. Instead I went to work for the Sheriff’s office and loved it. I learned to read fingerprints, gave testimony in court, knew all the state policemen, etc.Then years later when I went back to school (50 some odd years, that is) to learn how to plot. I decided to start taking courses in college that I loved. Like Greek Myths, Greek Plays,,painting, drawing, music appreciation, Elements of Police investigation, and American History. I never got tired of going to college. I went to NYU and took Italian. I took first year French three times. I loved the atmosphere on the campus. At the Student Union and the cafeteria, I’d meet and make wonderful friends—young friends. We’d compare quiz results. There is nothing like going to school when you are over-age to keep you young in spirit and temperament. The time never passes! I hated my first two years in college—taking math, English Composition, languages, History and all of the other subjects that killed creative thought. So I didn’t go back. Instead I went to work for the Sheriff’s office and loved it. I learned to read fingerprints, gave testimony in court, knew all the state policemen, etc.Then years later when I went back to school (50 some odd years, that is) to learn how to plot. I decided to start taking courses in college that I loved. Like Greek Myths, Greek Plays,,painting, drawing, music appreciation, Elements of Police investigation, and American History. I never got tired of going to college. I went to NYU and took Italian. I took first year French three times. I loved the atmosphere on the campus. At the Student Union and the cafeteria, I’d meet and make wonderful friends—young friends. We’d compare quiz results. There is nothing like going to school when you are over-age to keep you young in spirit and temperament.

We’d like to say Thank You for taking the time to answer these questions Mrs. Richardson and thanks to Rebecca at The Cadence Group for arranging the interview. Read our review of The Thyssen Affair here .

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