Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Mackenzie McKade

Interview with Mackenzie McKade:

Hi Mackenzie. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* I know a lot of your members enjoy Ellora's Cave books, and the recent series Return to Wonderland promises some really hot reading. We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about your latest book.

Forbidden Fruit will be released from Ellora’s Cave on November 30, 2005. It is a Quickie, which means it’s approximately fifteen thousand words. Here is a blurb on the book:

Nicole Nielsen never dreamt that her erotic catering company, Sweet Dreams, would be selected to host a fantasy party on the famous pleasure planet, Zygoman. Much less, that she would find herself strapped to a table as the dessert course for seven sexy men.

Royal Marine, Drake Andrews, has only one night to convince his long lost love, Niki, to forgive his lengthy absence from her life. It won’t be easy. And he’s afraid the only way is to have her bound and helpless to his desires.

Licorice ropes may not be enough to contain the desire and wrath of this woman scorned…

- What can we expect from you in the future?

A Very Faery Christmas (contemporary bdsm with a touch of magic) will be released in December 2005.
A Tall Dark Cowboy (contemporary western) will be released in January 2006.
The Charade (second book in the Ecstasy Series) should be released the first quarter of 2006.
Six Feet Under (a vampire erotic romance) will be released in May 2006.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

You can visit my website at www.mackenziemckade.com

- How may readers contact you?

You can reach me through my website www.mackenziemckade.com, or email me at Mackenzie@mackenziemckade.com. Or you can join my loop and chat with me and all my readers. Mac's Dreamscape. I would enjoy hearing from you.

- Do your fans' comments and letters influence you in any way?

You bet they do! In fact, my current work (Lisa’s Gift) was written in three-four weeks, because I had so much support through my reader’s loop. They are an incredible group of people willing to share their thoughts and ideas.

- Why did you decide to write romance novels?

Iris Johansen was the reason I began to write. I was intrigued with how she spun a tale. My first book was a paranormal mystery. But, it was Christine Feehan that sucked me into the world of romance. I never read romance until, by accident, I picked up Dark Fire. I was captivated.

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

Well, I’d like to say all of it, but that’s not the truth. You can’t believe how many research books I have. Yes, you can research sex! Even with that said, you will find pieces of my life and personality sprinkled throughout my writing. Cheyenne McCray said I molded Abby in Return to Wonderland: Lord Kir of Oz after myself. I can be a little hardheaded. (LOL)

- Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?

How long it takes to write a book depends on my motivation. Six Feet Under took me almost two years. It was an on again off again process. (LOL) Lisa’s Gift took me three-four weeks, which happens to be about fifteen thousand words longer than Six Feet Under. A Very Faery Christmas was written in three days; however, it’s only fifteen thousand words. But on average a sixty-seventy thousand word manuscript takes me about two-three months

- Do you feel humour is important in women's fiction and why?

We live in an uptight world with so many sensitive issues that affect each one of us daily. Laughter is a wonderful release and makes reading enjoyable.

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

Yes and no. The beginning of a love scene is the hardest for me. “Uh…where does he put his hand?” Then as the rhythm begins to flow, and the characters come together in my mind, I’m just a voyeur taking notes.

- What does your husband think of your writing?

My husband and family are the best support group I could ask for. It was rough at the beginning. They didn’t understand my dedication. When they saw writing meant a lot to me, they fell into place. Now they are so proud of me. They gloat on a daily basis my accomplishments to their friends.

- Do you ever ask him for advice?

Yes, especially of men’s positions and sexual questions, which I’ve learned not to ask about. I once asked him how a climax felt to a man. His response was, “Good.” I said, “Remember, I’m a writer. I need details.” His next response was, “Really good.” (LOL) So, I find my answers elsewhere.

- Do you have a favorite author? Favorite book?

Christine Feehan, but I enjoy so many other authors. Dark Fire would have to be my favorite.

- Who are some of your favorite authors?

Stephanie Lauren, Iris Johansen, Kay hooper, Mary Balough, and so many more that I could take hours listing. We are truly blessed with some talented authors.

- Who, if anyone, has influenced your writing?

Cheyenne McCray. She is the reason I write erotic romance. A dear friend and mentor, she has led me into this hot and exciting world. I can’t thank her enough.

- Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?

I am a member of RWA, currently the VP in our local chapter. I will be the President of this chapter in 2006. I feel it’s important to be involved and give back what others have given to you.

- What do you think of critique groups in general?

They can be a gold mine, or hell itself. A critique partner/group should be like a good pair of shoes, easy to slip your foot in. It’s a click. You fit or you don’t, and it’s imperative that you do fit.

- How long have you been writing - have you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve been writing seriously since 2001. In grade school, during a creative writing course, I wrote a children’s story that was selected to go to the local children’s hospital. I not only wrote it, but did the illustrations as well, in crayon. It was the last story I wrote until 2001.

- How many books have you written, how many have been published?

I’ve written eleven books and seven have been published to date.

- After you've written your book and it's been published, do you ever buy it and read it?

Buy it? Yes! Read it? I’ll read it again only if it’s a series and I need to refresh my memory on characters and plot. When I’m writing a book I read it so many times that by the time I’m through with writing and editing, I’m happy to close the cover. Then it’s time to see what others think of what I’ve written.

- Among your own books, have you a favorite book? Favorite hero or heroine?

My favorite book is the second one I wrote. Heart of a Warrior is a historical romance set in 874, during the Viking age. The hero and heroine in this book are my favorites. I hope some day to have the time go back and rewrite it. It was one of those books you write before you really know what you’re doing. (LOL)

- What book for you has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?

The Game was the easiest and most fun. It took me into a world I knew nothing about. The next book in the series, The Charade, was the hardest to write. My heart was set on writing Terrence’s story, but I knew there was a book before his, Shawn’s story. So, I struggled with what I wanted to do and what I knew was right. What I knew was right—won. The Charade should be out the first quarter of 2006.

- Which comes first, the story, the characters or the setting?

The story usually comes first. It’s just a blimp on the radar screen and then everything else develops around it.

- What are the elements of a great romance for you?

Strong characters, an endearing story, and lots and lots of emotion.

- What is the hardest part of writing/the easiest?

Words can’t be forced. If the muse isn’t working—I’m not working. Coming up with ideas seems easy for me. The actual writing the book is the hardest.

- Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?

My characters control me. I’m just a scribe. (LOL)

- Have you experienced writer's block---> If so, how did you work through it?

Oh yeah. Sometimes pulling away from the book and reading another author’s work helps. Brainstorming with my friends and readers also helps to pull me out of a slump.

- What is the most rewarding thing about being a writer?

The most rewarding to me is seeing an idea come to fruition, and a sense of accomplishment that I set out to do something and completed it. Then there’s the readers. Nothing compares to hearing someone say, “I love your writing.”

- Are there any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Never give up. I’m comma and grammar impaired, but I know what I want to do—write.

Thank you very much Mackenzie for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the next delightful creation releasedfor us from your talented imagination!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

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