Naughty Nikki
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INTERVIEW WITH WITTY AND CHARMING MACKENZIE MCKADE
If you like your books sexy with emotion and humor all rolled together, Mackenzie is the woman for you. I've read a few of her books and am a fan for life.
I know we have a lot of interviews coming, but this is a group of prolific writers who love doing what they do. There's no one better to learn from, or a better book to read than from someone who loves creating the magical stories that take us away from whatever problems we have at the moment.
www.mackenziemckade.com
Last edited by Naughty Nikki, 7/30/2007, 3:48 pm
--- Naughty Nikki Duncan
The sensuous side of suspense and magic.
www.nikkiduncan.com |
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7/6/2007, 1:53 pm
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Naughty Nikki
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INTERVIEW WITH WITTY AND CHARMING MACKENZIE MCKADE
The Realm: You say on your website that writing isn’t a passion, it’s an obsession. How does your family deal with the time you spend on your obsession now that you’ve been published, and how did they deal with it when you were just starting out?
Mac: My husband has been supportive from the very beginning. I can’t say the same about my daughters. At first it was a struggle for them to share my time. I think they thought it was a phase that I’d get over. <g> After they realized how happy writing made me, they began to cheer me on. To see the pride in their eyes is priceless. To hear them brag about me to their friends and teachers is beyond anything I imagined. I couldn’t ask for a better support team than my family. They are the best!
The Realm: What was it like for you when you got “the Call”?
Mac: “The Call” came in the form of an email I received at work. I remember reading the offer several times before I allowed myself to believe the words. When it sank in I released a squeal quickly muffled, followed by uncontrollable happy tears. It took a moment to pull myself together, and then I called my family and a couple of friends. It’s been a celebration every since. I get a release date—we party. I get an ISBN number—we party. It’s been a great ride.
The Realm: Early in your writing career, you admit that you head-hopped. This is something so many people struggle with, and some don’t even realize they do it. How did you re-train yourself to write differently?
Mac: You’re right! Most the time we don’t even realize we’ve slipped from one character’s POV into another. To me POV means you’re looking through the character’s eyes. You see, hear, and feel what he/she does. You can’t know what another person is feeling, but you can describe why you believe they’re mad, impatient, or happy. In order words “show” not “tell”. Additionally, I shoot for five pages in one person’s POV and then five pages in the other’s in each chapter or a chapter per character. I think this helps to focus on one character at a time.
Another trick is to write in first person and then go back and rewrite the chapter in third person. I started Fallon’s Revenge in first person. It helped to give Fallon a strong personality.
And, of course, there are your critique buddies who will help to catch your slips before the editor does.
The Realm: You wrote mysteries and historicals before moving to erotic romance? In addition to the freedom of fantasy you get to explore in your chosen genre, what is the most fulfilling aspect of writing for you?
Mac: To know I’ve touched or entertained someone is the most fulfilling aspect of writing. I’ve always been amazed by authors who can make me laugh, cry, cheer or get madder than hell. My goal is to do the same. If I can trigger your emotions, if you are thinking about the story long after you’ve finished reading, then I’ve hit my target.
The Realm: “Romance Novels” come attached with a big stigma; “Erotic Romance” carries an even larger one. Have you ever regretted or doubted, for even a moment, the wisdom of writing erotic romance?
Mac: Yes, I have wondered if my subject matter would have percussions in the future. Not so much for myself, but for my children.
Not long ago a politician was dragged through the mud for writing a “romance novel”. Her competition read a couple passages out of one of her books and referred to it as smut. It got me thinking what if one of girls chose politics? Would what I write cause them issues? The answer is yes.
Truth is there will always be narrow-minded people looking for anything to smear one’s name. I can’t allow them to dictate what I will or won’t do; besides it was too late at that point. <g> I’m proud of my accomplishments and what I write. I love reading erotic romance and feel no shame in admitting it.
The Realm: When you run across someone with a closed mind, or an attitude that erotic romances don’t belong, how do you handle them? Is there something you would like everyone to know about the erotic genre in general?
Mac: Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. I let the $$$$ speak for themselves. Sex sells—it always has. For those that don’t feel erotic romances belong there are twice as many saying it does. New York Publishers are jumping on the bandwagon. Even Harlequin, the sweet stories of romance, have spread their wings. Certain people and organizations can continue to poo-poo erotic romance. Its here to stay and will triumph in time.
Is there something I’d like everyone to know about the erotic genre in general? Try it—you’ll like it! <g>
The Realm: Where do you get your ideas and story lines? Is there something they all have in common that makes each one special to you?
Mac: I get ideas from the world around me. Everyone I meet, every movie I watch, every song I hear is fodder for my wild imagination. I’m a people watcher. I sit back and wonder what kind of life does the woman next to me live? She looks sad, why? Or if I see a couple exit a jewelry store and both are wearing a broad smile, I wonder how they met? Is their love strong enough to weather anything? What event could be a breaking point?
Soooo…watch out! You may become the inspiration for my next book. <g>
Laughter and tears are powerful emotions. No matter what I write I try to bring out my character’s passion. What drives them to do the things they do? What are they willing to give up in order to achieve their heart’s desires? Not everything is about life or death, but everything is about either wants or needs.
The Realm: Is there one piece of advice you would like to share with other aspiring writers that you wish you’d known starting out?
Mac: Fortitude. It’s a must. This isn’t an easy business. You have to really want it—and work hard. But it’s worth the struggle. I can guarantee you’ll love the results.
The Realm: Can you tell us about your next release Lost, But Not Forgotten?
Mac: I’m really excited about Lost, But Not Forgotten. It’s a mixture of suspense and finding love. Here’s a blurb for your enjoyment:
He found her handcuffed to his bed. Can they unchain her memories in time to save her life?
When pharmaceutical researcher Alexis Knight returns home from the Amazon jungle in a quest to reclaim the year of her life lost to amnesia, she discovers a host of changes have taken place in her absence. Not only has the shy, geeky boy she knew years ago transformed into a virile, confident hunk, he’s bought her family home and is in the process of turning her late mother’s bedroom into a den of iniquity.
When Jake O’Malley finds spitfire Allie handcuffed to his bed, accused of breaking and entering, his first thought is that his dreams have been served up to him on a platter. Then he realizes she’s not acting when she says she doesn’t remember the past year, nor her own mother’s death.
As Jake eases Allie past her grief, her journey to reclaim her memories entwines with an exploration into the world of BDSM. Just as their psychological duel to dominate heats up, they make another, more chilling discovery.
There’s a reason Allie lost her memory—someone wants her dead.
The Realm: Is there a specific feeling you hope your readers will walk away with after reading your books?
Mac: Emotionally satisfied. I want the reader to take the journey with the characters not just read about it. When you step away from one of my books I want you to wonder what might happen next and hunger to read more.
The Realm: What do you see for yourself next? What stories are rattling around in that fantastic mind?
Mac: At this moment I don’t know what is in store for me. I’ve returned to a day job which is hindering my writing. I’m at the stage where I’m trying to find a rhythm. Still it hasn’t stopped my creativity. I have a number of stories fighting for my attention.
Right now I’m working on Sand Angel, it’s a story set in Glamis, the Sand Toy Capital of California, about a rejected woman, a free-style rider, who uses speed and pain to outrun the memory of her lost love. I hope to have it finished by end of August. Look for it next year with Ellora’s Cave.
I have two novellas with Ellora’s Cave, Dead Awakening and Destiny’s Touch that should release by year end. Additionally, I have a slew of proposals out for review. There’s a couple of stories that are just begging to be written!
Thanks so much for allowing me to chat.
Lost, but Not Forgotten releases July 31, 2007. A complete list of books by Mackenzie can be found at
www.mackenziemckade.com.
Last edited by Naughty Nikki, 7/30/2007, 3:49 pm
--- Naughty Nikki Duncan
The sensuous side of suspense and magic.
www.nikkiduncan.com |
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7/30/2007, 3:47 pm
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