Interview with Vickie McDonough

» Posted on Sep 16, 2006 in Blog | Comments Off on Interview with Vickie McDonough

1. What made you start writing?
I’ve always been an avid reader, especially after I discovered Christian romances. Then I had this story start running through my mind like I was watching a movie. It wouldn’t leave me alone. I was getting about five hour’s sleep a night, because the story kept continuing in my mind. Finally, I thought if I write it down, then maybe it would go away. Once I’d written that story, another one came, so I had to write it down to. At that point I got to thinking maybe God was trying to tell me something.

I’d never planned to be a writer. I didn’t even like writing in school. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. So, I jumped in with both feet and learned the craft of writing and started meeting other writers online, who helped me and became my friends.

2. How long have you been writing?
This coming January, I will have been writing six years.

When did you sell your first book?
Before I sold a book, I sold three novellas, which were included in fiction anthologies (A Stitch in Time, Brides O’ the Emerald Isle, Lone Star Christmas). I sold the first novella in March 2004, which was a little over three years after I started writing

3. How do you handle rejections?
Rejections are very disappointing. You’ve spent so much time and effort writing a book that the editor didn’t want and often doesn’t tell you why. But I don’t spend a lot of time grieving. I try to polish up the book and see if it will fit another editor’s guidelines then resubmit it or work on something else.

4. Why do you write?
I write to be obedient to God. I believe this is what he wants me to do with my life for this season. Also, I want to touch people’s lives through Christian fiction. I know a woman who became a Christian from reading an inspirational novel, and that’s what I’d love to see happen with my books. I enjoy all the perks of writing too. I’ve made some wonderful friends, got to travel, and met many of my favorite authors.

5. What would you be doing with your free time if you weren’t writing?
My house would be cleaner, my family probably better fed. ☺ I’m sure I’d be working somewhere, because I have to keep busy. Oh, and I’d be reading a lot more.

6. What are you working on right now?
I’m starting something new—a trilogy set during the Oklahoma land runs. So many people set their hopes and dreams on the land runs. Some got land, but many more didn’t. I want to write a story that shows how the land run affected different people.

7. You enjoy writing historicals. What is your favorite time period and why?
My heroes have always been cowboys. I love any book with a cowboy or a western setting. I also like the prairie romances and Scot/Irish historicals. Oh, and pirate stories

8. Tell us about the book you have out right now.
My newest release KISS THE (COOK) BRIDE is my first contemporary sale. It’s the story of four female restaurant owners who become friends after getting stuck in an elevator at a restaurant convention. They have many things in common, one being they are too busy for romance. But as they go back home, God has surprises in store. Each gal finds love, and when they meet at the next convention, their number has doubled. A traveling apron is also a fun part of this story.

My second Heartsong Presents novel will be released in October. It’s called SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. It’s about a destitute woman who goes to her cousin’s house hoping to be sanctuary. But what happens there quickly has her life spinning out of control when the cousin dies and the heroine is left to run her farm and raise the children, all the while wondering where her cousin’s husband is and what will happen when he returns.

9. Do you have any advice for other writers?
Yes, get rooted in a writers group, either locally or online. Writing is a solitary business, and we writers need people who understand the path we’re on and can encourage you when you get down. Also, keep at it. Writing is a long road. It takes time to write a good book and to learn the craft of writing. You must persevere if you hope to be successful. Also, attend writer’s conference if you can. You’ll be greatly encouraged, have a blast, and get to pitch to an editor.

10. How important is faith in your books?
It’s very important. Faith is an intricate part of a Christian’s life, even if that person is a fictional character. Inspirational fiction shows readers how Christians act and react to daily life and also unusual situations. Christians aren’t perfect, and often, it’s our faith that pulls us through tough situations. I like action-oriented books that put characters in difficult situations where they have to rely on God and their faith to pull them through.

11. What themes do you like to write about?
Forgiveness, that God loves all people no matter what they’ve done, redemption, trusting God when all seems lost.

12. What is your favorite book you’ve written and why?
The Bounty Hunter and the Bride in my favorite. It’s the second book in my Oklahoma historical trilogy and will be released next spring by Heartsong Presents. I love stories with tough guy heroes who have a soft side they try to hide. That’s the case with Dusty McIntyre, my bounty hunter hero. He lost all he held dear to an outlaw and has dedicated his life to tracking down the man. His life is thrown for a loop when he falls for Katie (little girl in SOONER OR LATER) and the gal engaged to the outlaw.