AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Vickie McDonough (& Book Giveaway!)

How long have you been writing and when was your first book published? I started writing in Jan. 2001 and sold my first novella three years later. A Stitch in Time was released in spring, 2004.

What advice or tips do you have for writers who are just getting started? Don’t get too anxious to see your first book published. It takes time and lots of practice to become a good writer. Think how much education is required to become a lawyer or doctor. Writers tend to think they can just pump out a story and someone will beg to buy it. A book has to be marketable. The story has to have an audience. Study all you can about writing, attend conferences, take classes at your local community college, read writing books, study your favorite writers to see what they’re doing in their books, and study publisher guidelines before sending in a manuscript.

Which books on writing have been the most helpful to you and why? I learn better from hearing speakers teach about writing than I do from reading books, but two books that have helped me are Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon and also Heroes and Heroines, 16 Master Archetypes. Can’t remember the authors to that one—there are three of them.

What is a typical writing day like for you? After I wake up and have breakfast, I will sometimes read a chapter or two in the book I’m currently reading, check emails, then have devotions, and start writing. I generally write 2 – 4 hours a day. But besides writing, I babysit my three-year-old granddaughter a day and a half each week and care for my mother, who is quite feeble. There are some days I don’t get to write, but I try to write 2000 words a day whenever I can.

Where do you write? I write in my living room in my recliner. My laptop is networked with our main computer, so I have access to any files on it that I might need. My kids are older and usually not around, so the house is quiet when I’m working.

What are you currently writing? I’m presently writing Second Chance Brides. It’s the second book in my Texas Boardinghouse Brides series. The first book is called The Anonymous Bride and releases April, 2010. It the story of a man who returns to his home town after a long absence and his cousins, thinking he needs to settle down and marry, order him several mail-order brides. A contest ensues, but when it’s time for the judging, there’s an anonymous entry.

Tell us about your latest book. I had two Christmas anthologies release last month. Wild West Christmas is the story of four sisters who live on a ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Each sister has a special talent such as roping or shooting. The other authors in the collection are Lena Nelson Dooley, Kathleen Y’Barbo, and Darlene Franklin.
The other book is called A Blue and Gray Christmas and has four novellas set during and just after the Civil War. The other authors are Carrie Turansky, Tamela Hancock Murray, and Lauralee Bliss.

Favorite scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

What are some ways that readers of your books can help you as an author? They can spread the word about my books, write reviews on Amazon.com and Christianbook.com, join my Facebook group, join my email mailing list by contacting me at fictionfan1@cox.net

What professional groups are you affiliated with? American Christian Fiction Writers, WIN (Writers of Inspirational Novels), OWFI (Oklahoma Writers Fed. Inc) and Tulsa Nightwriters

What are your favorite writing conferences and why? The ACFW conference in my favorite by far. It focuses strictly on Christian fiction, the workshops are always excellent, you can have an agent and editor appointment, and the people there are great.

What would you like readers to take away from your book? I hope readers are entertained, encouraged, and inspired after reading my books.

What is something readers would be surprised you do? Well, I don’t this any more, but I owned a motorcycle when I was younger and road it all over. I’ve also owned three horses at different times.

Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer? Do stick with it. Keep writing and submitting your work. Don’t stress so much about getting published. Worrying won’t make it happen any sooner, but it might affect your writing.

How can readers get in contact with you? 

Mail: Vickie McDonough
    PO Box 592
    Jenks, OK 74037

Email: fictionfan1@cox.net

Website: www.vickiemcdonough.com

Blog: www.bustlesandspurs.com

Note: The first book in my long fiction series The Texas Boardinghouse Brides is called The Anonymous Bride and will release next April. I’m creating an email mailing list, and if you’d like to be notified about this book and my other ones, please send me an email, and I’ll add your name to my list. I promise only to send out a quarterly newsletter and info about new releases.

Thanks! 

Thank you, Vickie! We enjoyed learning about you and your books!  :)

Readers, Vickie is offering one of you a copy of "A Blue and Gray Christmas." Please leave a comment (with a way for me to reach you if you're the winner) to be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winners in Saturday's post.


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