 Author Spotlight for Maureen Child - 05/2008
My May release FALLING FOR KING'S FORTUNE is the third book in a trilogy about the King brothers. Each of these books was set around the theme of Marriage of Convenience. It's one of my favorites and I've got to say I had a wonderful time with the King brothers. So much so, I'm planning books about some King cousins. Jackson King, the hero in this book, is so clueless, I just fell in love with him. He's a completely Alpha male in that he believes his world is just as he wants it. Things always go according to his plan and nothing ever shakes him up. So it was really a lot of fun teaching him otherwise.
What is your most favorite part of being a writer? The least favorite?
Oh, my favorite part of being a writer is the fact that I get paid to daydream. What could be better? And then there's the whole, being at home, computer on my lap, feet up on the coffee table and leaning back into the couch to work thing, too. Plus, I'm close to the refrigerator for all of those 'thinking' breaks when only a cookie will help. Then there's the always full pot of coffee. And of course, when the words aren't coming, there's the time honored displacement activity of closing the computer and going to the mall, or the beach or a park or a...you get the idea. Least favorite part--self discipline. I tend to be a very understanding employer and give myself the day off when I should be chained to the couch typing!
What character that you have written is most like you?
All of my female characters have pieces of me in them....usually their voice and their sense of humor. I know sarcasm these days is always labeled chick-lit, but sarcasm's been around a lot longer than Bridget's Diary! LOL...My heroines tend to be strong and quick and not willing to put up with a lot. Although, my family and friends say that my heroine in MORE THAN FIENDS a book I did for NAL is so much me it was eerie!
Are any of your stories inspired by real life?
A lot of my stories are 'nudged' by real life. An article in the newspaper, a half overheard conversation in line at the bank, something that happened to a friend... It's amazing how ideas can flow once you get that tiny seed. So I'm always listening, or reading or watching. Writers make great observers because we're always willing to look at one thing and think 'what if it was something else?'
What is the one thing that scares you the most about writing?
I think the scariest part of writing is digging deep inside yourself to try to make the reader feel what you're feeling, and worrying that you'll somehow fail. Touching someone emotionally is a powerful gift and trying to get it right all the time can be intimidating. I just hope I succeed more than I fail............
If you could have any other career, what would it be (pretending you can't be a writer)?
Writing is my full time job and I'm more than grateful for it, trust me. I know how lucky I am to be able to do what I love and make a living at it. But that said....... if for some reason I wasn't a writer.......I used to think being a photograper for a travel magazine, (something like National Geographic) would be fun.....then I got old enough to appreciate the NOT camping portions of life. Being a florist would be great, surrounded by all that beauty and the wonderful scents.....but allergies! Being an obstetric nurse would be great fun, being around all of those tiny miracles every day--but I wouldn't want to let any of them go.......... So I guess it's best that I stay a writer.......
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