Welcome to our very first Duck Chat!
I’ve been wanting to do author interviews for a while now, but for one reason or another life never wanted to let me get started working on the idea. I’m happy to say things have changed and you’ll be chatting with some terrific authors every now and then from here on out. So whenever you see our new spiked-do friends over there, you know you’re going to be in for a fun surprise and lots of chatting!
Our first Duck Chat interviewee is historical romance author Monica McCarty. Monica has been in a constant whirlwind since her first book was released back in 2007. Read on to learn more about Monica, her life, and her books.
Monica lives in California with her family. Her husband Dave is a former professional baseball player and was part of the 2004 World Series Red Sox team. She’s a former copyright litigation attorney. After practicing law a few years, Monica decided to take her love of research and writing in a new direction, which has been a huge gain for romance readers. The MacLeods of Skye trilogy was Monica’s supersonic entry into romance publication. Highlander Untamed, Highlander Unmasked, and Highlander Unchained were all hits and led to her second trilogy featuring Clan Campbell, Highland Warrior, Highland Outlaw, and Highland Scoundrel. Warrior hits the shelves today. So after reading Syb’s review and saying hello to Monica, hop on over to Amazon.com or Borders and grab your copy hot off the presses.
Let’s chat!
Duck Chat: If you could retire any question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.
Monica McCarty: LOL, I don’t think I’ve been doing this long enough to be tired of any question. But the hardest question for me to answer is the quick “what’s your book about.” You think it would be so easy, but trying to condense a 100k word book into a couple of lines in the most intriguing way isn’t easy.
DC: I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?
MM: Definitely. I write from a pretty well-thought-through synopsis, but it’s more like a roadmap for me. I like to know the major turning points in the story and the black moment, but I always leave room for the story to unfold on its own. I also always keep a notepad with me (especially by the bed and shower) so I can write down the scenes that come to me—it’s almost always dialogue.
DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing?
MM: It’s no use arguing: the characters are always right.
DC: Tell us about your new trilogy featuring the bad boys of the Highlands, Clan Campbell.
MM: The Campbell trilogy starts off with Jamie Campbell, a secondary character from Highlander Unmasked. Book #2 belongs to his sister Lizzie (also introduced in Highlander Unmasked) and the third to their half-brother Duncan. The Campbells usually get the role of the “bad guy” in romances (and in history), so I thought it would be fun to let them play hero for once. They also had a ton of enemies, which provides great fodder for an author. One of the best-known feuds with the MacGregors takes center stage in the first two books, the third is with the Gordons. Like my first series, you’ll find plenty of strapping lads in plaid and “ripped from the headlines” history (i.e. Law and Order).
DC: Do you have a favorite bad boy?
MM: Bad boy in romance: Kenny from Lady Be Good by SEP. Bad boy on TV: Sawyer from Lost.
DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?
MM: I suspect I’m like most writers, if I’m in the mood to be distracted just about anything will do it. The main culprits are email, the internet, and my kids (not necessarily in that order!). On the other hand, if I’m on a roll, only having to pick up the kids from school or get dinner on the table distracts me.
DC: How do you feel your writing has evolved since your first book? Do you think you write your male or female differently now than you did when you started writing?
MM: I hope it’s improved, LOL, not only at storytelling but with the craft of writing. I’ve learned so much through RWA it’s amazing. As far as the male/female characters…hmm. I’m not sure. I think there are probably subtle differences. For example, with the men, I’m always asking myself, “Would a guy really do (or say) that?” to try to create as authentic male characters as possible.
DC: We know the historical genre is your forte, but is there another genre you’d like to try your hand at some day?
MM: I’d love to do some kind of contemporary “history mystery” along the lines of The DaVinci Code or The Last Templar, but alas I don’t have any brilliant ideas.
DC: What advice would you give to your younger self?
MM: Try to relax a little—I’m a definite “type A” personality, LOL. For writing it would be to try to not take rejection so personally. As I’ve learned more about the industry, I realize there are so many business reasons that come into the decision about whether to buy a book.
DC: Okay, these are the usual questions asked of authors in most every interview, but inquiring minds want to know:
MM: Favorite Historical Author: I’ll narrow it down to authors currently writing historicals: either Lisa Kleypas or Liz Carlyle
Favorite Historical Book: Toughest question of all time, LOL. Probably either Judith McNaught’s Almost Heaven or Julie Garwood’s The Bride.
Favorite Contemporary Author: Susan Elizabeth Philips
Favorite Contemporary Book: Lady Be Good
Favorite Paranormal Author Does Time Travel count? Karen Marie Moning (I don’t read much Paranormal.)
Favorite Paranormal Book: Kiss of the Highlander
Can I do romantic suspense, too? I love Shannon McKenna . Extreme Danger has one of my all time favorite heroes ever.
DC: If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?
MM: Probably practicing law in some fashion.
Gwen’s Lightning Round:
– dark or milk chocolate? milk (but I’m not much of a chocolate fan…seriously)
– smooth or chunky peanut butter? chunky
– heels or flats? heels
– coffee or tea? both daily (addict anyone?)
– summer or winter? winter
– mountains or beach? mountains
– mustard or mayonnaise? mustard
– flowers or candy? candy
– pockets or purse? purse (I have a bit of a handbag “problem” as my husband calls it)
– Pepsi or Coke? Pepsi
– print or ebook? print (but I love my Kindle!)
Last-minute fun stuff:
What is your favorite word? Bedtime
What is your least favorite word? “Mom…!”
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Watching a good movie or reading a good book
What sound or noise do you love? Water (i.e. streams, brooks, waterfalls)
What sound or noise do you hate? Fingernails on the chalkboard
What is your favorite curse word? I don’t curse! (Right, probably the “f” word)
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Broadway singer (unfortunately I have no voice)
What profession would you not like to do? Maid, cook, nurse and psychologist (Wait! I already do those.)
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Welcome, you sure took a long time in getting here!”
Thank you, Monica!
For those of you who have any questions or comments for Monica, she’ll be stopping by throughout the day, so this is your chance!
Handbag problem??? What is that? You don’t have a large enough closet to store the collection?
Caroline,
LOL. I’ll have to tell him that, he’ll love it.
“I don’t curse.” BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
And I have a couple questions for you – who inspires your heroes and those steamy hot love scenes?
😉
seriously though -everyone go buy Highland Warrior – it’s Monica’s best book yet.
LOL, Jami, sounds like you have a tale in there to tell about cursing!
I’m looking forward to Highland Warrior. Monica’s Highlanders always make my heart beat faster!
Thought you’d like that one, Jami, LOL. As for who inspires, why my DH of course! Certainly not a certain Scotsman celebrity we all know. (cough, cough, Gerry)
I can’t wait to hear what you think, Sandy. This is a story I’ve been wanting to write for a LONG time and I’m anxious to see what readers think.
Sandy, let’s just say our phone calls are “colorful,” and leave it at that.
Hey Monica, is Davina going to stop by?
Oh, that’s a good idea. Wonder if “she’s” busy today.
LOL, okay, Jami, I can live with that! Hopefully I’ll be meeting Monica in May and I find out how colorful she is myself! ‘Tis okay, Monica, I’m just as colorfufl!
Jami is making me sound like an old salty sailor, LOL. And colorful is a good thing, right? 🙂
Hi Monica, Sawyer is one of my favorite bad boys, too, yum! Looking forward to Highland Warrior.
Hi Pam,
Did you see the first episode last week–I’m hooked all over again. I love how they are moving toward the end now and everything is starting to come together. Hope you enjoy the book!
There is no such thing as a purse problem. Now a shoe problem . . . that I have.
Just popping over to say hi, Monica! Great interview! And looking forward to getting my hands on my own copy of your latest!
Great interview Monica, I have all three of your Highlander books in my TBR pile- sometimes, unfortunately school and life get in the way. I have been reading Scottish romances for over 40 years and have been to Scotland numerous times.
Though I have to tell you, and I am a bit embarassed to admit this being such a stickler about buying a book for the inside and not the cover art, but… I have to admit I bought your first book because of your husband was Red Sox. Even though I am not from Boston. I grew up as a bleacher bum going to countless baseball games in Milwaukee in my youth, and one of my dreams one day to see a Boston/NY Yankees game. I have moved your books to the top of my TBR pile.
Hi Liviania,
For sake of full disclosure I have a “problem” with shoes as well. I think that goes along with Caroline’s point about the closet being too small. 🙂
Hi Fedora,
Thanks for stopping by and saying “hi.” Hope you enjoy the book!
Hi Jody,
I LOVE that story–I’m sure my husband will as well. Maybe I should get him out there hawking books in Boston, LOL. I was an A’s bleacher fan myself. I hope you get a chance to see a Boston/NY game at some point, there really is nothing like it.
Isn’t Scotland amazing? I’ve been a number of times myself and each trip makes me love it more. I think my first Scottish “romance” was Outlander, in the early ’90s if I remember correctly. I completely understand about life getting in the way, but hope you enjoy the books when you get a chance to read them.
I love all your books!! One question for you Can i have a highlander to take home [just kidding], you have a way with words that make us all want one of our own or if we cant have a real one, we sit and wait for your release of your next noval.