INTERVIEW:Time Travel Author Dennis Higgins

Dennis Higgins

Chicago Area, Illinois

USA

Award-winning author, Dennis Higgins is a distant relative of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. He has traveled the world over, collecting story ideas. As a native of Chicago, Illinois, Dennis Higgins has a passion for things that are gone but not forgotten, a romance with the past. For him, time travel is the answer. If not for real, then in the pages of his books. He now lives in the Chicago suburbs with his lovely wife, and their Lhasa Poo dog, Dom Perignon.

 

Good morning, Dennis, and welcome to Vision and Verse, the site for art and authors and those who love them. Can you tell us a little about what you've written? 

First off, thanks for having me today. I have 12 published releases; however, I recently combined my trilogy into an omnibus. 

Pennies From Across the Veil, Parallel Roads (Lost on Route 66), the Time Pilgrim series: (Katya and Cyrus, Almost Yesterday, and Tomorrow's Borrowed Trouble), Steampunk Alice, The Old Scrapbook, The Writer’s Apprentice, Christmas Returns to Pottersville, Confessions of an Internet Scammer, Goes to Eleven, and The Automated Wife.

Wow, that's quite a list! What is your favorite genre to write? 

I write a lot of time travel, with a fondness for romance and a touch of the paranormal.

Favorite food. 

Pizza. (I live in the Chicago area. )

Tea or coffee? 

I need my coffee.

Pizza or ice cream? 

Yes please, but really it’s Pizza.

That's right, you're from Chicago. Wine or beer? 

It depends. I love a good wine with a great meal. But I drink beer with my buddies. I never drink alone.

Where would you like to visit? 

I am 58% Irish. (I did 23andMe) I have been to England, but never to Ireland. I would like to experience it someday. 

Favorite musical artist.  

I have to say The Beatles. Although I like a lot of different types of music and artists. The Beatles have always been a part of my life. 

Do you listen to music when you write?Sometimes, yes.

What? 

I like to put on John Barry’s musical scores. He composed the music for some of my favorite films, including two time-travel movies, Somewhere in Time and Peggy Sue got Married. His music is melancholy, and sometimes that’s the mood I’m going for.

What makes you laugh? 

Literally anything from my buddies at work, funny Facebook memes, TV shows, and movies. I can also laugh at myself.

Favorite work of art or sculpture. 

Pietà by Michelangelo, especially when you know the history.

How old were you when you started writing? 

I wrote great book reports and stories in grade school, but I only started writing professionally as an adult in 2010. (You good people don’t need to know my age, LOL!)

Do you plan out your book with outlines and notecards? Or just write? 

I just write. Sometimes where the story goes surprises me. I might have an idea of an ending, but I never know the exact end until it comes.

What do you do when you get a writer's block? 

For many years, I had never experienced it. But afterward, I did, and I just wait it out. Writing comes from mood, and mood change, even for us men.

Describe your perfect evening. 

I’m not sure why I struggled with this question. There’s that writer’s block, I guess. I guess because these days I use evenings to rest. I get up at 3:00 am to do my writing and related work (such as doing this interview). Then I go do my day job. The perfect evening is a Friday night, sitting with my wife, eating a good Chicago style (thin crust) pizza, and knowing I can be at my writing for longer the next day.

Where do you get your inspiration?  

Books, movies, life itself. As my profile says, I have traveled a lot, and I tend to soak up and bring a piece of all those visited places with me when I leave. 

Who is your favorite author? 

Without a doubt, Richard Matheson, from his early Twilight Zones to the beautiful Somewhere in Time and What Dreams May Come. I am Facebook friends with his daughter, Ali.

Best book you ever read. 

I haven’t stopped talking about it. Somewhere in Time, originally titled, Bid Time Return by Richard Matheson.

Last book you read. 

A true story called, Two Truths and a Lie by Ellen McGarrahan. Very exciting.

What would you do for a living if you weren’t a writer? 

Retire, which is nearing. But truthfully, I’ve always wanted to be a Broadway actor, preferably a musical. Sometimes I sing show tunes to myself. Lol!

Who is the one person who has influenced your personal life the most and why? 

I don’t have just one. My grandmother influenced my religion, my mother was an avid reader and gave me a love and respect for books, my dad was a hard worker who never missed going to the office. My wife is the kindest person I ever met. See? Too many.

Consider yourself blessed, Dennis. Some of the people I interview cannot come up with ONE!  If you could sit down and have a conversation with ONE person, living or dead, real or fictional, who would it be and why? 

I’ve been asked this before. My answer changes, but since the question has the word ONE capitalized, I will say today I’d like to sit and talk with George Harrison of The Beatles, just to ask him about the early days of being kids and plunged into instant and massive fame.

What advice would you give someone who aspired to be a writer? 

My advice would be to try to tell the story. Be a good storyteller. Don’t worry about construction, grammar, or style. That comes later. Get the story down on (proverbial) paper.

Do you have some links for us to follow you?

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Dennis-Higgins-Author-162823450485698/

Website:

http://www.timepilgrims.com/

http://www.timepilgrims.com/time-pilgrims-home.html

Blog:

http://www.timepilgrims.com/blog

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Dennis-Higgins/e/B00BAE6LSK/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5759879.Dennis_Higgins

Instagram

Dennis Higgins (@dennis.higgins) • Instagram photos and videos

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BOOK REVIEW: The Hawaiian Burger Murder by Rosie A. Point

 

A girls’ trip to Hawaii is interrupted when they find a dead body on the beach and recognize the victim as someone who was with them on a boat party the day before. A cute, cozy read with good characters and a tropical locale. 

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ART: Russian-born Engineer-turned- Artist Tatyana Markov

 This stunning lady in red introduced me to the work of Tatyana Markovtsev who has a very interesting story to tell. Born in Russia and educated as an engineer, Tatyana immigrated to the United States about thirty years ago. She found enjoyment in drawing in her 50s and has been wowing the art world ever since. 

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SCHEDULE: March 31 - April 4, 2025

 

Monday, March 31 - ART:

Russian-born Engineer-turned Artist

Tatyana Markov

Tuesday, April 1 - BOOK REVIEW:

The Hawaiian Burger Murder

by Rosie A. Point

Wednesday, April 2 - INTERVIEWS

Thursday, April 3 - TV TIME: 

Under Paris

(Netflix)

Friday, April 4 - BOOK:

Waterfalls Point

by Carol Ann Kauffman

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BOOK: Raymond Layton, Man of Mystery

 

American agent Gina Belcanto must take desperate measures to ensure nothing stands in the way of her inheriting her grandfather's ranch in Oklahoma even if it means marrying the mysterious Raymond Layton, much to the dismay of her significant other, Brian.

Things go terribly wrong. 

International intrigue. 

Terrorist pods. 

Counterfeiting on a global scale. 

Secret records in Sicily.

Old boyfriend Brian is at a complete loss to understand the situation. The office is bombed. All their co-workers are dead. And now Brian’s on the run with nowhere to hide. 

Where will he go? 

To Gina.

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B7FC5YST/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4

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TV TIME: Atlantic Crossing on Masterpiece (PBS)

This series on PBS was an outstanding window into the historical period leading up to World World Two. It centers if the Crown Prince and Princess of Norway when Norway was invaded by the Germans and the Norwegian Royal Family was forced to flee. 

Although the whole cast does a wonderful job, Kyle MacLachlan as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt steals the show. He is absolutely fabulous. He captures Roosevelt’s warmth and humor as well as his politely astuteness. 

 

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RECIPE: Easter Jello Pie

 

Please follow Clare Greco at Recipes By Clare

References:  Facebook

Easter Jell-O Pie

A colorful, three-layer no-bake dessert with creamy pastel layers of lemon, blue, and grape Jell-O mixed with cream cheese in a graham cracker crust.

By: Clare Greco

Ingredients

→ Crust

 1 pre-made graham cracker crust (9-inch)

→ Jell-O Layers

 1 (3 oz) box lemon Jell-O

 1 (3 oz) box berry blue Jell-O

 1 (3 oz) box grape Jell-O

 3 cups boiling water (1 cup per Jell-O flavor)

 3 cups cold water (1 cup per Jell-O flavor)

 8 oz cream cheese, softened

 1½ cups whipped topping, thawed

→ Decoration

 Extra whipped cream or whipped topping

 Pastel sprinkles

 Small candy eggs

Instructions

In a medium bowl, dissolve the lemon Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water, stirring for about 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water and stir. Let the mixture cool slightly for about 5 minutes.

In a separate bowl, beat ⅓ of the softened cream cheese (about 2.5 oz) until smooth. Gradually add the slightly cooled lemon Jell-O mixture, beating until well combined. Fold in ½ cup of the whipped topping until no white streaks remain.

Pour the lemon cream mixture into the graham cracker crust, spreading evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the layer is partially set (it should be firm enough that the next layer won't break through).

While the first layer is setting, dissolve the berry blue Jell-O in 1 cup of boiling water. Add 1 cup of cold water and let cool slightly. Beat another ⅓ of the cream cheese until smooth, then gradually mix in the blue Jell-O. Fold in ½ cup of whipped topping.

Once the lemon layer is partially set, gently pour the blue layer over it. To prevent breaking through the lemon layer, pour the mixture over the back of a spoon held just above the surface, allowing it to flow gently onto the first layer. Refrigerate for another 30 minutes.

Repeat the process with the grape Jell-O, dissolving it in 1 cup of boiling water, adding 1 cup of cold water, and letting it cool slightly. Beat the remaining cream cheese, mix in the grape Jell-O, and fold in the remaining ½ cup of whipped topping.

Once the blue layer is partially set, carefully pour the grape mixture over it using the back-of-spoon method. Make sure the mixture is completely cooled before pouring to avoid melting the previous layers.

Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours or overnight until all layers are completely set and firm.

Just before serving, top the pie with additional whipped cream, pastel sprinkles, and candy eggs for a festive Easter look.

Slice and serve chilled. For clean slices, dip a sharp knife in hot water, wipe dry, and then cut the pie.

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BOOK REVIEW: Murder at Snowed Inn by Imogen Plimp

Murder at Snowed Inn by Imogene Plimp was an entertaining murder mystery that a widow, Claire, as she said goodbye to her New York City apartment and big city life to open a Bed and Breakfast in the country, the snow country. Great characters, both main and supporting, drove this mystery to its satisfying conclusion.

WARNING: Do not read at night if you are hungry. The tantalizing dishes Claire makes for her Bed and Breakfast guests will have you raiding the refrigerator.

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ART: Romanian Sculptor and Land Artist Nikola Faller

 

This artist uses autumn leaves as his preferred artistic medium.

Aren’t these fantastic? 

All images are from Architectutal Digest, Art Facts, and Facebook.

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Vision and Verse does not store any personal information like email addresses, home addresses, etc. We do not give any information to third parties. And cookies? We eat cookies.