***
I want to
welcome my friend Gail MacMillan to Believe! Her newest book will be released
today, and we’re celebrating the big event by asking her some personal and
not-too personal questions about her life as an author. I’ve had the privilege
of Beta Reading her book and will tell you that I enjoyed it thoroughly. For
one thing, it’s humorous—which I like. Also, her characters are wonderful, especially
Emma the heroine. But then the hero, Frasier, is pretty darn keep-able also. There’s enough conflict to keep one interested, and a romance to make it perfect. In fact, it just keeps getting better until at the end….well, you don’t want
it to end!
welcome my friend Gail MacMillan to Believe! Her newest book will be released
today, and we’re celebrating the big event by asking her some personal and
not-too personal questions about her life as an author. I’ve had the privilege
of Beta Reading her book and will tell you that I enjoyed it thoroughly. For
one thing, it’s humorous—which I like. Also, her characters are wonderful, especially
Emma the heroine. But then the hero, Frasier, is pretty darn keep-able also. There’s enough conflict to keep one interested, and a romance to make it perfect. In fact, it just keeps getting better until at the end….well, you don’t want
it to end!
Gail, Can you
tell us about your new release?
tell us about your new release?
October 19th was an exciting day for
me. That’s the day my romantic comedy
“Holding Off For A Hero” was borne into both print and e-book. Since the pivotal scene takes place on
Halloween, the pub date couldn’t have been better. With the ghost of a murdered lumberman, an ax
protruding from his chest, haunting their wilderness retreat and a pair of
thugs ready to murder them, hero and heroine are in for a harrowing October 31st.
me. That’s the day my romantic comedy
“Holding Off For A Hero” was borne into both print and e-book. Since the pivotal scene takes place on
Halloween, the pub date couldn’t have been better. With the ghost of a murdered lumberman, an ax
protruding from his chest, haunting their wilderness retreat and a pair of
thugs ready to murder them, hero and heroine are in for a harrowing October 31st.
I had such fun
writing this story, I truly hated to see it end at 65,000 words. I had many more adventures to relate about
heroine Emma and her hero Frasier. As a
result, I’m currently working on a sequel featuring Emma’s twin sister Etta
(short for Henrietta).
writing this story, I truly hated to see it end at 65,000 words. I had many more adventures to relate about
heroine Emma and her hero Frasier. As a
result, I’m currently working on a sequel featuring Emma’s twin sister Etta
(short for Henrietta).
One of the main reasons writing this tale was such a
delight is because several of the characters are based on real people. Emma carries within her fictional DNA the
genes of a remarkable woman I’ve known for years and who embodies the spirit of
generosity, trust and adventure coated in a wonderful sense of humor.
delight is because several of the characters are based on real people. Emma carries within her fictional DNA the
genes of a remarkable woman I’ve known for years and who embodies the spirit of
generosity, trust and adventure coated in a wonderful sense of humor.
Frasier MacKenzie, the hero, is a brave,
let’s-just-get-the-job-done kind of guy who finds Emma with her infectious joie
de vivre one huge crimp in his carefully laid out plans. Emma loves a good time, which infringes no
end on Frasier’s work ethic. When he
discovers he’s actually enjoying her antics that could spell an end to not only
his current project, but also his career, he decides that the choice of fire or
frying pan would be child’s play by comparison.
let’s-just-get-the-job-done kind of guy who finds Emma with her infectious joie
de vivre one huge crimp in his carefully laid out plans. Emma loves a good time, which infringes no
end on Frasier’s work ethic. When he
discovers he’s actually enjoying her antics that could spell an end to not only
his current project, but also his career, he decides that the choice of fire or
frying pan would be child’s play by comparison.
And then, of course, there’s the secondary hero and
cover guy, my Pug Bruiser. Bruiser has
appeared in magazine articles for the past six years, but this is his first
foray into the highly competitive world of cover model. He’s definitely got one of those faces that,
while it may not launch a thousand ships, he definitely catches attention with
his good-natured grin or sagging-lip sadness.
Like Emma, he, too, possesses a love of adventure and proves to be her
perfect companion in “Holding Off For a Hero.”
He’s also a natural comedian.
Since dog fanciers have been enjoying reading about his escapades for
the past half dozen years in various doggie magazines, I decided he would be a
perfect character to appear in a romantic comedy.
cover guy, my Pug Bruiser. Bruiser has
appeared in magazine articles for the past six years, but this is his first
foray into the highly competitive world of cover model. He’s definitely got one of those faces that,
while it may not launch a thousand ships, he definitely catches attention with
his good-natured grin or sagging-lip sadness.
Like Emma, he, too, possesses a love of adventure and proves to be her
perfect companion in “Holding Off For a Hero.”
He’s also a natural comedian.
Since dog fanciers have been enjoying reading about his escapades for
the past half dozen years in various doggie magazines, I decided he would be a
perfect character to appear in a romantic comedy.
I’d love to hear from readers regarding “Holding Off
For a Hero.” If it gives anyone a laugh
or a sigh, please let me know. Bruiser
and Emma will be delighted to hear from you as well at macgail@nbnet.nb.ca
For a Hero.” If it gives anyone a laugh
or a sigh, please let me know. Bruiser
and Emma will be delighted to hear from you as well at macgail@nbnet.nb.ca
You
write in more than one genre. Do you
have a favorite? Which one do you find
the hardest?
write in more than one genre. Do you
have a favorite? Which one do you find
the hardest?
My
favorite is always the one in which I’m currently writing. One of the negative
things about writing in various genres is that it prevents branding that will
allow readers to follow you more readily.
The good thing about it is that you’re never, ever bored or stuck in the
proverbial rut.
favorite is always the one in which I’m currently writing. One of the negative
things about writing in various genres is that it prevents branding that will
allow readers to follow you more readily.
The good thing about it is that you’re never, ever bored or stuck in the
proverbial rut.
Where
do you find your story ideas?
do you find your story ideas?
My
first creative writing teacher always compared writers to magicians. Writers can make stories appear out of thin
air, she said. And that’s where most of
my ideas come from. Sometimes a person,
or an event, or even a scrap of overheard conversation can trigger a story, but
mostly it’s just a spark in the brain.
Agatha Christie could never explain where her Poirot came from. He just arrived, full blown, in her
imagination.
first creative writing teacher always compared writers to magicians. Writers can make stories appear out of thin
air, she said. And that’s where most of
my ideas come from. Sometimes a person,
or an event, or even a scrap of overheard conversation can trigger a story, but
mostly it’s just a spark in the brain.
Agatha Christie could never explain where her Poirot came from. He just arrived, full blown, in her
imagination.
How
do you research your novels?
do you research your novels?
With
my contemporary novel, I stick to the old adage of writing what you know…the
lakes, woods, rivers, wilderness and mountains of our beautiful province of New
Brunswick. Of course, my historicals require actual research, but I’ve always
had a love of history, made it one of my major studies in university (which
wasn’t all that long ago, since I graduated two years after my oldest daughter
received her degree), and traced our family’s ancestors for years so it’s work
I thoroughly enjoy.
my contemporary novel, I stick to the old adage of writing what you know…the
lakes, woods, rivers, wilderness and mountains of our beautiful province of New
Brunswick. Of course, my historicals require actual research, but I’ve always
had a love of history, made it one of my major studies in university (which
wasn’t all that long ago, since I graduated two years after my oldest daughter
received her degree), and traced our family’s ancestors for years so it’s work
I thoroughly enjoy.
Do you have time management tricks to keep
you on schedule?
you on schedule?
Not
really. The natural rhythm of my
creative life pretty much dictates my schedule.
Sometimes I get on what I call a writing jag. Then I write and write and
write. I’ll hit an equally powerful
reading one. Now if I could just land on
a housecleaning time slot…
really. The natural rhythm of my
creative life pretty much dictates my schedule.
Sometimes I get on what I call a writing jag. Then I write and write and
write. I’ll hit an equally powerful
reading one. Now if I could just land on
a housecleaning time slot…
What
is it about your current release that excites you the most?
is it about your current release that excites you the most?
I’m
pleased with “Holding Off For a Hero” because two of the main characters
are drawn from wonderful, real-life creatures.
I say creatures because while the first is Emma the heroine, the second
is my Pug Bruiser. Both Emma and Bruiser have brought so much into my life with
their courage, sense of adventure and humor, and joie de vivre, a book
definitely had to be written about them.
pleased with “Holding Off For a Hero” because two of the main characters
are drawn from wonderful, real-life creatures.
I say creatures because while the first is Emma the heroine, the second
is my Pug Bruiser. Both Emma and Bruiser have brought so much into my life with
their courage, sense of adventure and humor, and joie de vivre, a book
definitely had to be written about them.
Out
of all your novels, which hero and heroine are your favorites? Why?
At this time I have to say Emma and Frasier in “Holding Off For a
Hero”. They’ve been such fun to work
with. They’ve made the story almost
write itself.
of all your novels, which hero and heroine are your favorites? Why?
At this time I have to say Emma and Frasier in “Holding Off For a
Hero”. They’ve been such fun to work
with. They’ve made the story almost
write itself.
Do
you set daily expectations or goals for your writing?
you set daily expectations or goals for your writing?
Not for writing exclusively. Often a goodly portion of a day can be spent
promoting a book, dealing with editors and publishers, and keeping up with the
latest developments in the publishing industry.
That being said, there is never a day when I’m not somehow involved with
writing and the creative process.
promoting a book, dealing with editors and publishers, and keeping up with the
latest developments in the publishing industry.
That being said, there is never a day when I’m not somehow involved with
writing and the creative process.
What
do you know now that you wished you’d known when you started writing?
do you know now that you wished you’d known when you started writing?
I
wish I’d known that a story that doesn’t grab one editor’s interest might be
the pride and joy of another. Over the
years, I’ve all too often let one editor’s opinion darken my way. I was inclined to think that once one editor
had rejected a story, that piece had no value.
It was a particularly cruel rejection that eventually made me see the
light. I’d written a story that would go
on to win an award. The first editor
that I sent it to replied that I’d better take up gardening, that I’d never
make it as a writer. Twenty-six
published books later, I wonder what he’s doing these days.
wish I’d known that a story that doesn’t grab one editor’s interest might be
the pride and joy of another. Over the
years, I’ve all too often let one editor’s opinion darken my way. I was inclined to think that once one editor
had rejected a story, that piece had no value.
It was a particularly cruel rejection that eventually made me see the
light. I’d written a story that would go
on to win an award. The first editor
that I sent it to replied that I’d better take up gardening, that I’d never
make it as a writer. Twenty-six
published books later, I wonder what he’s doing these days.
Do
you ever hit the wall or find you’ve written yourself into a corner? How do you
turn that around?
you ever hit the wall or find you’ve written yourself into a corner? How do you
turn that around?
Fortunately
that doesn’t happen to me very often. What does occur can be equally
troublesome—finding what I call plot holes in your story on a fourth or fifth
draft, just when you think you’ve covered all bases.
that doesn’t happen to me very often. What does occur can be equally
troublesome—finding what I call plot holes in your story on a fourth or fifth
draft, just when you think you’ve covered all bases.
Okay…enough
with the business stuff! How about some
personal insider info? When
you’re not writing or reading, what would we find you doing?
with the business stuff! How about some
personal insider info? When
you’re not writing or reading, what would we find you doing?
Enjoying
family, friends, and dogs. I spend a lot
of time outdoors and relax by walking and training my dogs. They’re the ultimate exercise machine. Unlike a treadmill that just sits quietly in
the basement, they’re in my face, prancing, demanding “let’s go, let’s go,
let’s go!” Who can refuse such
high-pressure invitations!
family, friends, and dogs. I spend a lot
of time outdoors and relax by walking and training my dogs. They’re the ultimate exercise machine. Unlike a treadmill that just sits quietly in
the basement, they’re in my face, prancing, demanding “let’s go, let’s go,
let’s go!” Who can refuse such
high-pressure invitations!
Favorite
food or recipe?
food or recipe?
No
doubt there. Cherry cheese cake. Yummm!
doubt there. Cherry cheese cake. Yummm!
Tell
us one thing about you that might surprise us…it can be a secret…we won’t tell.
us one thing about you that might surprise us…it can be a secret…we won’t tell.
I’m
a bookaholic. I can’t resist buying
books. Last month, I decided to take a
pledge and not purchase any books for the next thirty days. Then along came Mimi Barbour’s “Roll the
Dice” and, plunk, off the wagon again.
Bad, bad Mimi!ow abHo
a bookaholic. I can’t resist buying
books. Last month, I decided to take a
pledge and not purchase any books for the next thirty days. Then along came Mimi Barbour’s “Roll the
Dice” and, plunk, off the wagon again.
Bad, bad Mimi!ow abHo
Gail MacMillan www.gailmacmillan.caThree Time Maxwell Medal Winner
From The Wild Rose Press:
Lady & the Beast, Caledonian Privateer
Ghost of Winters Past, Holding Off for a Hero
