Meet Ransom Noble

An early love of reading and the
sciences led Ransom into writing and a
career in mechanical engineering.
Believing determination can help
one attain any goal, she constantly sets new goals for herself
and encourages others in their quests
for knowledge.
She can often be found with her
husband and their friends listening
to music or playing games (every kind).

Her work includes "Qui's Contract,"
a short story that appeared in Ruins
Metropolis, June 2008 and The Art of
Science, April 2009 by 4RV Publishing.

I asked Ransom some questions about her writing.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? (i.e. Pets? Where you live? Special interests of hobbies?) I live in Des Moines with my husband and baby girl (10 weeks). The only pets I can claim are my plants, and though they have names, they're barely hanging on most of the time. I just don't have the knack of them. I enjoy yoga and knitting as hobbies.

• What inspired you to write this story?

I was in a class at the time at the Children's Institute of Literature. I talked with my mentor about several ideas before deciding to write this one. I felt closer to the characters in this one than my mentor's favorite idea of mine, so I wrote this one. Sometimes it's what you feel capable of doing at the time, and you might be able to do more next time. We grow as writers with each story we tell.

• Do you have a favorite character, if so tell us why?

I think in some way all of them are dear to me. I like Katya's spunk (Janie's best friend), so if I had to choose one, it'd probably be her.

• Tell us a little about your writing schedule. What do you find most difficult, easiest?

Right now I find it most difficult to find a schedule. I work through my daughter's feedings and we're just managing. Usually I can manage to catch up on my things in the evening when my husband returns home.

• What are your future writing plans?

Other than getting back to a regular schedule? I have a couple novels in mind, just seeing which one speaks to me first to get written. I also finished one last November for NaNoWriMo, but it needs some good editing/rewriting work before it's ready to go anywhere.