When did
you realize you wanted to write novels?
I loved the glorious years as an actor in New York,
working on One Life to Live, All My Children, and Another World with movie bit parts in Working Girl, When Harry Met Sally and so many more. I also appeared in one
wonderful Off-Broadway play. Then it all crashed when I lost my good voice to
Spasmodic Dysphonia. My creative juices turned to writing. To Be Continued, my first baby, was published seven years ago.
How long
did it take you to realize your dream of publication?
Here’s the amazing story: After sending out some
queries only to receive don’t call me, I’ll call you-NOT! responses, a
publisher called, requested the manuscript. The next day they offered a
contract. Did I cry? You bet I did. Me, the one with a shot voice, was now a
published author.
Are you
traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
I’ve been published by the same small traditional
publisher since that first book.
Where do
you write?
In our Cape Cod home, I have a small office, once
shared for about four years, with my youngest granddaughter while my daughter
taught at the local high school. Now four cats take turns visiting me as I
write every day. The largest feline, Riley, sprawls at the door as guard. I
have to step over him, carefully, as the need calls for. Lily, the youngest
sleeps right next to the computer, nudging my hand from time to time.
Is silence
golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?
I treasure silence, please and thank you.
How much of
your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in
particular?
Often I find pieces of my life showing up as my
fingers peck their way along the keys.
At first, it disturbed me and then I knew. Considering my rich
experiences in life, why not?
Describe
your process for naming your character?
For some unknown reason, names flicker across my mind
as if a ticker tape presents them to me. Probably this happens because so much
of my background is steeped in memorizing scripts.
Real
settings or fictional towns?
Some of each. Born and raised in Chicago, Reconstructing Charlie has the
well-known background; and for years I lived in St. Augustine, Florida where I
set Starting Over and Young at Heart. Of course, the New
Jersey Shore was perfect for Instant
Grandpa, a beach story Mature Romance. The only fictional town is River’s
Edge, where Kindness to Strangers is
the motto. Imagination gone wild and I love it!
What’s the
quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
In Reconstructing
Charlie, the heroine, Charlie Costigan, vows to retain her chastity until
she meets the right man and says ‘I Do’, an amazing quirkiness at time when
casual sex had become common.
What’s your
quirkiest quirk?
If smiling readily, with hope and a heart full of
love is quirky, that’s me. I’m a way out there senior citizen, perky after a
terrible fall last year when doctor’s thought I’d never walk again. See me now,
guys, as I dance with care and a cane around the house.
You’re
stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
Water, soap, and a hunk named Henri who knows how to
give a girl a great massage.
What was
the worst job you’ve ever held?
I worked at home with my first husband for many years
while raising a batch of kids after several tours as an Air Force wife with
same pilot husband. All before I spread my wings. Not what I’d call a worst job
but a woman’s job and I thrived on it then.
What’s the
best book you’ve ever read?
Thanks for asking. I may write romance but how I love
to read John Sandford with his murder, mayhem and humor.
Ocean or
mountains?
Ocean. Oh yes.
City
girl/guy or country girl/guy?
I loved working in NYC to return to my home sweet
home in the burbs.
What’s on
the horizon for you?
One big desire is I’d like to know, as a writer, does
anyone know my name?
I pray for good health and long life to see my
youngest granddaughter, now nine, graduate college, marry a worthy guy etc,
etc. I can dream, can’t I?
Anything
else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?
Check out the video for Chef’s Surprise.
Chef's Surprise
One night, she ran. For the bus to freedom and a new life. She had a plan, and a small box of cash.
With grit and determination, the young girl learned more than lessons at nursing college, the first part of her plan. Someday, she would become a top chef, but for now, she’d claw her way up the ladder.
There is payback for every crime, and sometimes the payback is more than satisfactory.
With grit and determination, the young girl learned more than lessons at nursing college, the first part of her plan. Someday, she would become a top chef, but for now, she’d claw her way up the ladder.
There is payback for every crime, and sometimes the payback is more than satisfactory.
4 comments:
Lois, you are someone I admire with your wit and giving back attitude. Thanks for being a gracious host to this author.
I enjoyed your post, Charmaine...with your background in acting, did you ever think about writing a screenplay?
Thanks for stopping by, Angela. No, I haven't thought about writing a screenplay since I keep writing stories running round and round in my head. I've heard that's a difficult task although I'm good with setting and dialogue. Is this something you do? If so, contact me. Perhaps we can give it a try. I'm game.
Thanks, Charmaine for the offer! I concentrate on shorter pieces, ones that you can read on a bus or train ride home from the office. Have a great weekend (you. too, Anastasia)!
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