Hello readers. Today I have Loucind McGary visiting the blog.
Loucinda, tell us a little bit about your latest releas THE WILD IRISH SEA.
My latest book The Wild Irish Sea, like my previous two books, is a contemporary romantic suspense with paranormal elements. This one is set in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and is about a pair of twins who have always had mental telepathy. When one of them inadvertently witnesses a murder, his life is in danger and his sister rushes to Ireland to try and save him. There’s also a sexy but anguished Irish police detective, some precocious kids, dangerous smugglers and the legend of a selkie prince all thrown into the mix as well.
What are you working on now?
The first book in what I hope will be a series. It is a romantic suspense set on a cruise ship.
Also, my book, The Wild Sight was recently offered as a free download on Kindle and hit #1 on their Free Bestseller list. So I’m working on a novella that is a bit of a prequel to The Wild Sight that I hope to offer on Kindle.
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
READERS! Nothing is more gratifying than to hear that someone read and enjoyed one of my books. I’m amazed at how far away some of my readers are! I’ve received fan mail from Australia, New Zealand, Romania, and Malaysia to name a few places.
It is a dream come true for me to be able to share my stories with readers near and far! Readers definitely make all the crazy parts of the publishing business worthwhile.
When did you know you wanted to pursue a writing career?
I always wanted to, and I wrote off and on for many years. But I didn’t get serious about pursuing publication until I quit my Dreaded Day Job (DDJ) at the end of 2003. I made my first sale almost four years (and many many rejections) later in September, 2007.
Some writers say that they have a story that has to be told other’s say that the characters come to them and demand that their story be told… how does it work for you?
Generally my characters come first. They arrive in my imagination with their names and looks intact. Then they start to reveal their backstories to me, and eventually I get an idea for a plot for their current story.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere! No really, I never quite know what will inspire me.
For The Wild Irish Sea, I was inspired by the beautiful movie The Secret of Roan Inish and an interest in twins spurred on by my twin grand-nephews. My second published book, The Treasures of Venice was inspired by an opera The Jewels of the Madonna written by Venetian composer Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. My first book, The Wild Sight was partially inspired by a genetic anomaly called the Niall Marker that I stumbled across while doing research on Ireland.
Do you have any advice or writing secrets for aspiring authors?
I wish I had a writing secret! Unfortunately, there is no secret other than hard work and persistence.
My advice is to keep learning and improving your craft. Finish what you start! Don’t sit around and wait for your muse, just keep showing up every day and plugging away. And keep sending your work out. Rejections are hard, but you have to stay in the game to get to that one yes.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still writing and I hope readers will still be enjoying my stories.
Loucinda, thank you for being my guest today on Micole Writes Romance. Where can we find out more about you and your books?
My latest book The Wild Irish Sea, like my previous two books, is a contemporary romantic suspense with paranormal elements. This one is set in County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland and is about a pair of twins who have always had mental telepathy. When one of them inadvertently witnesses a murder, his life is in danger and his sister rushes to Ireland to try and save him. There’s also a sexy but anguished Irish police detective, some precocious kids, dangerous smugglers and the legend of a selkie prince all thrown into the mix as well.
What are you working on now?
The first book in what I hope will be a series. It is a romantic suspense set on a cruise ship.
Also, my book, The Wild Sight was recently offered as a free download on Kindle and hit #1 on their Free Bestseller list. So I’m working on a novella that is a bit of a prequel to The Wild Sight that I hope to offer on Kindle.
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
READERS! Nothing is more gratifying than to hear that someone read and enjoyed one of my books. I’m amazed at how far away some of my readers are! I’ve received fan mail from Australia, New Zealand, Romania, and Malaysia to name a few places.
It is a dream come true for me to be able to share my stories with readers near and far! Readers definitely make all the crazy parts of the publishing business worthwhile.
When did you know you wanted to pursue a writing career?
I always wanted to, and I wrote off and on for many years. But I didn’t get serious about pursuing publication until I quit my Dreaded Day Job (DDJ) at the end of 2003. I made my first sale almost four years (and many many rejections) later in September, 2007.
Some writers say that they have a story that has to be told other’s say that the characters come to them and demand that their story be told… how does it work for you?
Generally my characters come first. They arrive in my imagination with their names and looks intact. Then they start to reveal their backstories to me, and eventually I get an idea for a plot for their current story.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere! No really, I never quite know what will inspire me.
For The Wild Irish Sea, I was inspired by the beautiful movie The Secret of Roan Inish and an interest in twins spurred on by my twin grand-nephews. My second published book, The Treasures of Venice was inspired by an opera The Jewels of the Madonna written by Venetian composer Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. My first book, The Wild Sight was partially inspired by a genetic anomaly called the Niall Marker that I stumbled across while doing research on Ireland.
Do you have any advice or writing secrets for aspiring authors?
I wish I had a writing secret! Unfortunately, there is no secret other than hard work and persistence.
My advice is to keep learning and improving your craft. Finish what you start! Don’t sit around and wait for your muse, just keep showing up every day and plugging away. And keep sending your work out. Rejections are hard, but you have to stay in the game to get to that one yes.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Still writing and I hope readers will still be enjoying my stories.
Loucinda, thank you for being my guest today on Micole Writes Romance. Where can we find out more about you and your books?
I also blog with the Romance Bandits: http://www.romancebandits.blogspot.com/
And I have my own personal blog, Aunty Cindy Explains It All: http://www.auntycindy.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much, Micole, for having me as your guest today!
Loucinda has offered one lucky commenter a copy of her book, THE WILD IRISH SEA. Thank you all for stopping by, now make sure to say hi.
Hugs
Micole
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