BooksGoSocial
Nov 30, 2015 | Interviews
This week we’re chatting with Cathy McGough, author of A Mathematical State of Grace
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I once won a signed copy of J. K. Rowling's The Casual Vacancy in a writing competition. It is one of my prized possessions.
What kind of books do you write?
When I sit down to write, I don't always choose which genre to go with, the genre often chooses me. Thus, I have a book of poetry, one which is romance/coming of age, one that is historical fiction and my most recent release is a YA Dystopian two part series.
What inspired you to write?
Writing to me is like breathing air. It has always been a part of me.
What makes your writing stand out from the crowd?
No one else can or will ever write exactly like I do. We all have our own unique and special gifts, how we choose to offer them to the world is up to us. My offering is writing and I love it. I hope the world does too, but if not, it's not going to stop me.
What is the hardest part of writing – for you?
Redrafting, Revising, editing. When to let it go.
Where do you like to write – what is your routine?
I have an office, overlooking the garden, but I can write anywhere; trains, planes, in the car (provided I'm not driving!), restaurants, cafes – even on my phone is nothing if it is on hand.
What do you do when you are not writing – do you have a day job?
I am Director/Publisher of my own company called Stratford Living Publishing Inc. I have several websites to manage and update and a friend and I are launching the first ever Stratford (and area) Authors and Artists Symposium on November 22nd of this year. When I change roles, I often change my hat both symbolically and physically.
Do you work with an outline or just write?
Generally, I just write. However, recently I took the James Patterson Masterclass and I decided to put together a rough chapter outline for the non-fiction book I am writing for Nanaimo. I'm amazed at how quickly I am writing in this format – over 14,000 words in just 5 days. Definitely going to try planning for redrafting and when I write something new.
What advice would you have for other writers?
The same advice I give to myself everyday, which is to stop worrying about all of the things which I cannot control.
Write. Write and Write! But only if you love it.
If you also love all of the other stuff, all of the distractions and time bleeders – then at least allocate a specific amount of time to use them.
And above all things, believe in yourself!
How important is marketing and social media for you?
This is all pretty new for me, but at the moment both seem huge.
What’s your next step?
Deep in Nanaimo right now, getting ready to release A Mathematical State of Grace Finale: Fusion and building a new business from the ground up. If only there was more time – or I could function with less sleep!
A Mathematical State of Grace by Cathy McGough is available here.
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://thebookpromoter.com
BooksGoSocial
Dec 14, 2015 | Interviews
This week we’re chatting with Sheryl Wright, author of Contrary Warriors
Tell us something unexpected about yourself!
I once worked as a Rovering Portrait Photographer, traveling all over Northern Canada.
What kind of books do you write?
My first series is a Military Thriller, with high adventure and a pair kick-ass female protagonists! Book 2 in this series will hit shelves in February. I have also started writing Lesbian Fiction. My first Romance has been picked up by Bella Books and will be out late next year.
What inspired you to write?
LIfe is hard, often throwing curve balls when you least expect. My first passion in life is aviation. I served in the RCAF and only left when it became clear I would never qualify for the pilot program (something that was not readily open to women back then!) So, I did it the hard way, learning to fly at the DeHavilland Employee Flying Club. Once I had my private license I was off, attending and graduating from flight academies in Canada and the USA, but that was before the curveball, a medical condition that took my medical certificate but seemed so easy to correct in surgery. Not so much! Instead I found myself at home, unable to work or even play at being a pilot. Instead I started writing about my experiences and remarkably a few short stories sparked a new passion. I was off and running (figuratively) and found a remarkable joy in sharing and inventing a lifetime of adventure.
What makes your writing stand out from the crowd?
I see our thoughts and actions from the perspective of Left and Right Brain function and readily identify with either the Analytic person or the Intuitive. As such, I write stories where two strong women face off from these opposite perspectives either in support of each other (as with my Mohawk cousins Bo and Cleo, in Contrary Warriors), or in finding one another in the Romance genre (Don't Let Go).
What is the hardest part of writing – for you?
Drilling down to the kernel of an idea without getting bogged down in verbiage. My favorite authors are experts at saying the most with the smallest number of words. That's my ultimate goal: to write less and convey so, so much more.
Where do you like to write – what is your routine?
Dining room table!
My day:
Check email and other online housekeeping
Review last night's work
Take the dog out
Write
Write
Write
What do you do when you are not writing – do you have a day job?
I'm now retired (remember that medical thing?). I do volunteer with the local Cadets(a youth organization) teaching ground school and I'm a member of the Canadian Aboriginal Veterans, and the RCAF Association.
Do you work with an outline or just write?
Both: I need an idea in my head. Then I work out a very short outline. I use an old rule from flight school for navigating: Start from where you are, decide where you want to go (this is a firm destination), then you can decide how you want to get there! For me, having these first two points decided before I sit down is essential. The rest I can make up as I go along!
What advice would you have for other writers?
Write, write, write…and then write some more and don't forget to read, lots and from all varieties of work. Writing is like a muscle or set of muscles. You will only ever improve with practice and comparison. To prove my point take a look at some of the BEST authors out there. You might be surprised to find that most honed their skills during postgraduate studies. They literally perfected the craft of communicating complicated ideas before turning to fiction. Examples: Philippa Gregory, Sarah Waters, and Camilla Gibb. All have PhD's.
You can see the same phenomenon in genre fiction from a different angle. My examples: Top author of Sea based adventures, real life marine explorer Clive Cussler. Top author of legal dramas and real life lawyer, John Grisham. ‘Nough said!
How important is marketing and social media for you?
It should be but it's really my weakest skill.
What’s your next step?
I've been exploring the option of turning CONTRARY WARRIORS into an online game.
Contrary Warriors by Sheryl Wright is available here.
If you are interested in book promotion, please visit http://thebookpromoter.com
