Theresa Ford ’88

Q&A With Author and Alumna

Theresa Ford ’88 is a programmer living in Southern Maryland. She plays with computers, origami, wild plants, hydroponics, writing, and an assortment of other amusements. You can peek into her mind at her website www.cattail.nu.

Theresa has published eight books: “Colony One,” “Lawful Good Thief,” “Stealing Magic,” “Math for Artists,” “My Art Cards, Vol. 1,” “My Art Cards, Vol. 2,” “The Sound of the Light” (under her pen name, Harriet R. Thorne) and “Educating Gramps” with Roy Maier. All of her work can be found on Amazon.

Are you currently writing a new book?

I have a complete draft undergoing revisions and several outlines with partial writing. In addition, I am turning “Colony One” into an audiobook, working with a narrator and voice actors. I am doing several of the characters, and I will be assembling the audio.

What is your creative process? Where do you get your ideas?

The stories grow from imagining “what if,” and adventures happen based on how the characters respond to the challenges I give them. Characters and descriptions reflect my observations and experiences, particularly philosophical, human growth and caring.

Did you have a favorite teacher who inspired you to write?

No, I did not have one teacher, but I have been inspired, encouraged and motivated by nearly all my teachers, especially those at St. Mary’s Ryken. I was the fiction editor on SMR’s literary magazine for two years and had a couple of short stories published in it. While I may not recall specific encouragement on writing, I was helped along my journey.

In “Colony One,” there’s a part where the main character is at a private school and the teachers are trying to help her. Again, that reflected my experience at SMR, with the teachers being good people doing their best and taking time to interact with students to impart wisdom. Of course, I had to add some necessary plot quirks, so it’s not a complete mirror!

Why did you write under a pseudonym?

Under my own name, I wrote two fantasy novels, a math iBook, a science fiction, two art books, and helped with my dad’s biography.

I wrote a thriller under a pseudonym because it didn’t follow my image of keeping things young-adult friendly. It was more graphic than my other books.

What is your favorite childhood book?

My favorite childhood book is “Harold and the Purple Crayon” because he creates his world. Next up would be “The Giving Tree.”

What is your favorite St. Mary’s Ryken memory?

I have many good memories from my time at SMR. Mr. Heibel’s greeting as we came into class stands out — so consistently welcoming and kind. I also loved the books in the study rooms and sitting outside in good weather to do homework. Band trips were fun. The bookstore gave me a Bible, which I still own. My weathered “Growing in Christ” book is still in my library. As an adult, I can look back and see how magnificently SMR teachers and administrators helped grow and shape my mind—from helping me to know myself through inspirational retreats to spiritual awareness through example and in-class instruction, to time management and being responsible for my schedule and task completion.

What are you currently reading?

Since discovering how hard it is for self-published authors and first-time authors, I tend toward reading their books. I’m currently reading one by a gentleman I met on social media: “Forward and Back” by Michael Pickard.

What do you do for fun?

I’m always learning something new and trying different things. I’m amazed at how many nuances and skills are needed for each subject, no matter what that subject is. For example, I recently created some Photoshop textures and patterns, and now I admire and analyze patterns everywhere (tiles and bricks, shower curtains, wallpaper). I also mentor people on Discord (social media), primarily for programming, sometimes art, and sometimes writing. I teach watercolor classes at the Garvey Senior Activity Center and out of my house. I’m never bored!