Thursday, May 26, 2011

Mini-Interviews: Three Authors, Same Three Questions

Greetings! Allow me to introduce Sarah McNeal, Maeve Greyson, and Shirley Kiger Connolly.

SARAH MCNEAL

Sarah has retired from Emergency Room nursing and now concentrates on "this thing that brings me such joy—storytelling." With her four-legged companions by her side, she is now able to devote more time to developing new stories, creating interesting characters, and communing with other authors who have a passion for the pen.



MAEVE GREYSON

Maeve writes paranormal romance filled with magic and love, mysteries of time-travel and legends, all with a Celtic flair. She's certain she was in Scotland and Ireland in a past life. Her writing partner is her sweet little dog Jasper. Her husband provides loving support in their secluded hide-away.


SHIRLEY KIGER CONNOLLY

Shirley writes historical fiction romances nonfiction devotional books. She is an active mom and grandma who loves cross-stitching and watching old movies with her husband. As a part-time farmwoman, she cares for her chickens, dogs, and cats.



Let's see how the three authors answered my questions:

1. How have your published novels benefitted you personally?
SARAH: I worked for years honing my craft as a writer, taking classes and getting rejections at rocket speed. When I received my first contract, it validated me. I became an author. I became published. Every new contract since then has given me the validation to press on, work harder and become better with each new published story.
MAEVE: Seeing my novels actually published gave me the affirmation I needed to keep writing. Often times, getting that first story sold is much like scaling the crumbling side of a sheer cliff. When you hold that publishing contract in your hands it’s like finally dragging yourself up to that safe ledge and plopping down to take a breath. Whew! I made it. I actually made it. I’m a REAL writer.
SHIRLEY: Just by the blessing God gives me for a job well done, and also that something I have written can hopefully minister or become a blessing to whoever reads it.


2. What do you do when you lose confidence in your ability to write a note-worthy novel?
SARAH: Writing is a job that requires that we work alone and, in our isolation, we tend to compare ourselves to others. The best cure for loss of self-confidence is a new contract. Talking about it to trusted colleagues and receiving validation from authors we respect helps to renew our belief in ourselves and our work. Give each story your whole heart.
MAEVE: I give myself a good hard shake and say, “Where was your writing career a year ago? Look what you’ve overcome so far. Snap out of it and get busy.” No wait. That’s what my husband tells me when I moan that I’ve lost the gift of words. I’m the luckiest writer in the world. My family supports me 200%.
SHIRLEY: I pray. I go for walks, spend time with my animals, or in my greenhouse, or read something by someone else.

3. What is the oddest thing on your desk, something that doesn't belong with your writing materials?
SARAH: A Jack-In-The-Box Pez dispenser and my Marine Band harmonica. They both cheer me up.
MAEVE: A pair of ear plugs. I need complete silence when I purge my dreams from inside my head and pour them into the keyboard. If I’m not home alone, I shove ear plugs in my ears so the rest of the family can go on about their business and I can disappear into my worlds.
SHIRLEY: I don't use a desk. My husband built me a laptop caddy so I can sit in my comfortable chair or wherever I feel like sitting. As I look at the table on my left right now, I see my camera, my checkbook, my coffee cup and some BILLS! LOL
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SARAH MCNEAL
Harmonica Joe's Reluctant Bride

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MAEVE GREYSON
Beyond a Highland Whisper

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COMING SOON
SHIRLEY KIGER CONNOLLY
Say Goodbye to Yesterday
(coming August 2011 through Desert Breeze Publishing)


THANK YOU FOR VISITING-
CELIA YEARY

25 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for inviting me for a visit, Celia! You created such a neat post. Thank you for including me. :-)

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  2. This was a very cool idea Celia. Your webpage is so attractive. Thank you so much for inviting me to take part in this mini interview. i enjoyed reading the mini interviews of the other two guests, Maeve and Shirley as well.

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  3. Hi--I so glad you like the post. I thought it turned out so good-the different answers to one question is always a treat. Thanks--Celia

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  4. In case you're wondering why I'm "Anonymous," I cannot give you an answer. Blogger has my account messed up--as the do many across the land--and some of us cannot comment on our own blogs. It's not fixed yet...I do not like being Anonymous. Celia

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  5. That's funny, Celia. I wouldn't like anonymous either--cause nobody knows ya.
    BTW, some people have come by and mentioned that they were here but didn't leave a comment. Just so ya know. They mentionsed that they liked the brief answers so they could read everyone's. See. Good idea there.

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  6. I'm glad you got your name fixed Celia. LOL

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  7. Thanks ladies! I loved all of your answers:) I wish earplugs worked for me, but my family can find ways of getting beyond simple things like that. LOL Celia- the mini interviews were neat:)

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  8. Brenda, you are like the effervesence in champagne...bringing giddy joy to everyone.

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  9. Great interview, ladies - may you all have many happy sales. :)

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  10. Thanks for taking the time to drop by and leave a comment, Tina.

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  11. Thanks Sarah:) I love the word giddy!

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  12. What a fantastic idea for a post, Celia! I loved this quick peek inside each of these talented ladies' lives. Oh, and now I've got you followed too! :-)

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  13. I'm glad blogger is cooperating again! I'm an old dog and don't really want to change over to another type of blog thingy (the technical term - dontcha know?). I appreciate everyone popping in to leave a comment. Doesn't Celia's blog remind you of a lovely summer day? *happy sigh*

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  14. Celia...love the concept of mini interviews. Great post from three great ladies. Yes, we all need that validation. I think part of the writer's spirit is self-doubt. It can be cripling or a source of motivation.

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  15. One thing about self-doubt that isn't crippling is it's ability to make us want to improve. That makes it a strength. I know that you were addressing Cleia for her great idea to have a mini interview with three authors, AJ & Vonnie, but still, I appreciate the time you spent to come and read it. As part of the three interviewed, I really appreciate that.

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  16. Sarah, I agree with you. Holding that first contract in our hands is beyond description.

    Maeve, I also need total silence to write, but I'm able to blank everything around me, if not I just say,'turn off the TV,I can't concentrate.'

    Shirley, I keep little pictures of my grandchildren stuck around the monitor of my desktop. They make me smile when I get frustrated.

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  17. Celia,
    Great idea to have three authors answer the same questions. How we love variety!

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  18. Hmmm, ear plugs, now there's an idea. It probably beats asking at my girls for the fiftieth time to PLEASE go somewhere else to argue with each other!

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  19. Hi gals!

    Celia, I love this idea of a mini interview with three authors. (I might have to steal...borrow the idea for authors of anthologies.)

    Maeve, I never thought of using earplugs. Hmm, I might have to give them a try. I'm like you, I have to have silence to enter into my world.

    Shirley, how wonderful to have a desk that chained to you and not the other way around. lol

    Sarah, you were an emergency room nurse. Have you used your experiences there in your stories?

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  20. Karen, in response to your question about my ER nurse experiences and using them in writing:
    I have used my medical knowledge in some stories. Harmonica Joe saves his dog and Banjo for instance. I have even used alternative medicine in my paranormal stories but I have never wanted to write about my actual experiences--too stressful. I have written stories about my 21 years in coronary care before the invention on angioplasties and stents but I haven't got a clue what to do with them.
    I thought the 3 author interview was a fantastic idea, too. Wish I had thought of it. Thank you for your comments, Karen.

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  21. Mona, it is exciting and heart pounding wonderful to get a contract--especially that first one.
    Jannine, I never thought of ear plugs but an MP3 player is pretty dang close to it.
    Marilyn, i thought the same thing. Great idea to have 3 authors and 3 questions. It's sort of neat to compare the answers, too.

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  22. Thank you all for being my guest, and for all commentors. I appreciate it so much. Celia

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  23. I really enjoyed all three interviews. Thank you, Celia. Those authors have inspired me to get my rear in gear and get back to editing my WIP.

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  24. Good for you, Sandy--sometimes we all need that little kick! Good luck with your ms. Celia

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