My computer and internet are still giving me fits. I couldn't get any of the pictures to upload. I'll try again, but here is her interview without the pictures :-(
You can catch her other sections of the interview
at on my fellow bloggers’ blogs:
Part 2 - Thursday, January 31st @ T.W. Fendley's site (www.twfendley.com)
Part 3 - Friday, February 1st @ Emily LaBonte's site (http://emlabonte.blogspot.
Part 4 - Monday, February 4th @ Sandra Ulbrich Almazan's site (http://ulbrichalmazan.
Part 5 - Tuesday, Feburary 5th @ Dean C. Rich's site (http://deanswritingtime.
Words of Wisdom
What are the most important elements of good
writing?
Clarity, brevity, and believability. Clarity trumps all rules
because if the message or imagery isn't clear,
the reader is befuddled.
Brevity is the economy of words and using only
"the right words" to
enhance imagery and meaning. As to
believability? If a reader is going
to suspend disbelief and enjoy a story,
motivations and logical
sequences or premises must bolster the
fantastical and unbelievable so
that those things are credible.
What tools are must-haves for writers?
First to understand what story is—it has a fundamental structure
and character arc. Secondly, to grasp and use
POV-Viewpoint to advantage
because 90% of all the problems with a story
stem from POV-Viewpoint.
Third, to become a wordsmith, and that's
because readers are not
mind-readers, they only have words on a page
to go by, so shouldn't
every word be the right word, the most vivid,
accurate, and
image-provoking word possible?
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Talent will take a writer only so far. Craft enhances talent. So,
to those who intend to produce marketable
stories, I urge them to stop
writing unmarketable copy and invest some time
to learn the devices,
techniques, and various aspects of good
fiction and writing. Writers
tend to be self-taught and there are plenty of
how-to books available
from libraries as well as workshops,
conferences, and teachers who can
help a writer learn craft elements. The more a
writer knows, the better
they can make decisions about a story so it is
appealing to readers.
What do you feel is the key to your success?
Perseverance. Dogged perseverance.
What are your current/future project(s)?
Too
many. LOL But seriously, I have a sequel underway to Karma and
Mayhem that features Rowen, Tienan's little
brother. Rowen had a rough
time of it in Karma and Mayhem, so I thought
he deserved a lady of his
own, one who could understand the trauma he's
been through at the hands
of evil witches.
As
to my other book, Jewels of the Sky, I'm immensely enjoying the
book's heroine, a Wysotti Indian, and having
her blog in the persona of
a doll. With Darq, I even get to indulge in my
favorite
pastimes—writing, sewing, crafting, and
photography.
In
2013, I'll be unveiling Adrada (pronounced ah-drah-dah), the
Archangel of Departing Souls (who appears in
Karma and Mayhem and Jewels
of the Sky). Adrada is also featured in most
of the short stories I've
sold. Many of those short stories will be put
into a collection for
publication later this year.
Other projects include: editing a futuristic romance that's
completely drafted, giving an online workshop
for writers in March, two
short story projects, and a fall workshop.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Yes. One of the highlights of Karma and Mayhem. In that story was
Choke-berry Shalamiz, the "blood of
ages," which was a factitious drink,
totally made up for the scene where Tienan
"blesses" Janay. With the
help of a chef, that drink became a reality,
and I used the recipe as a
special giveaway for the book's launch and for
the Christmas holidays.
For
Jewels of the Sky, finding the doll who is now Darq, the
story's heroine, and who banters with me at
the story's blog site (at
And, lastly, thank you for having me as a guest.
Contact information for Catherine E. McLean:
WEBSITE FOR READERS: www.CatheirneEmclean.com
WEBSITE FOR WRITERS: www.WritersCheatSheets.com
KARMA AND MAYHEM: https://www.soulmatepublishing.com/karma-and-mayhem/
(And available at other eBook outlets)
KARMA AND MAYHEM BLOG: http://www.karmaandmayhem.blogspot.com
JEWELS OF THE SKY: www.Amazon.com
(Available as eBook and paperback)
JEWELS OF THE SKY BLOG: http://jewelsofthesky.wordpress.com/
Goodread author page:
Formats available:
KARMA AND MAYHEM: Only as an eBook
JEWELS OF THE SKY: As an eBook and a paperback
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/catherinemclean
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