Interview Carol McPhee

by

Harley L. Sachs

1) Tell us a bit about yourself.

Be Still, My Heart! is my third novel to be published by Wings, The fourth is due out in March and another in August, then 2 more next year. Be Still is the book of my heart. It's about a cardiac surgeon used to solving heart problems with his dexterous skills, until he clashes with the hospital's new dietitian. Heart problems of a different nature then put him in shock, knocking him off his pedestal.

I was a dietitian and speak from in-depth knowledge of hospital staff and patient interactions. I like to start writing about 4am everyday and wish I could find more time to just write and not be held back by marketing and learning new things about writing.

2) Tell me about your publication history.

My very first attempt at a novel was published as a series by an e-magazine. Several years later Wings ePress accepted and then published Something About That Lady in September 2004 and Undercover Trouble November 2004.

3) How did you learn about Wings e-Press?

I found out about Wings ePress from a fellow writer in my critique group who is published with them as Lydia Hawke (Firetrail).

4) "Be Still My Heart" is a song title. Sounds like you are emulating Mary Higgins Clarke. What made you choose that title?

I had no idea it was a song. The heroine, a dietitian, has a heart problem she intends to keep secret in her new hospital job so people won't treat her with kid gloves. Unfortunately, a renowned cardiac surgeon, suspicious of her interaction with his patients, puts her under stress causing angina. I think the title fits because she would dearly like her heart to not react in such a way

5) One is supposed to write from your own personal knowledge. How does that figure in this latest book?

I was a dietitian who interned at Harper Hospital in Detroit, and then worked in several Canadian hospitals. I found out I had heart disease about eleven years ago and have had a vast passing acquaintance with cardiac surgeons. One of them has supported my effort to write this novel and contributed in many ways. Dr. William Travis Weaver of Alabama is listed in the dedication.

6) The relationship of doctors with nurses and other staff is often strained by doctors' feeling like they are gods incapable of error. How does your book deal with that common problem?

I can't speak of what doctor's feel, but I have portrayed the hero as a skilled, but arrogant cardiac surgeon. The heroine, Andrea Martin, eventually causes a change in his perception of life.

7) Without naming any names and bringing on libel suits, how did you create the character of the doctor in your book?

Great question, Harley!! Braeden Landry evolved himself from snippets at the back of my imagination.

8) Is this book part of a series? If so, how does it fit? And what about future books are on medical themes?

I have no plans for a sequel nor do I anticipate another medical story. This has been therapeutic for me and worked out my angst, lol.

9) I understand you have several other books in the pipeline. Tell me something about those.

Have you time and patience, lol?

The others lined up are:

Means To An End--March 2005

Dedicated to law enforcement, RCMP officer, Rand McCormick, will get his man:

The objective--stop illegal drugs coming ashore.

The prize--the smugglers' kingpin.

The means--use of a luxury yacht and Lori Wheeler.

The fly-in-the-ointment--Lori Wheeler--she detests cops

Jeweled Seduction--August 2005

A rejected son tries to gain his dying father's approval by recovering an heirloom gambled away under suspicious circumstance. One thing stands in his way: the winner's daughter.

None So Blind--February 2006

Rescued, ravished and repelled by a less than heaven "scent" hero, Kate McTavish rallies and responds to her afflictions with strength and courage she didn't know she possessed.

Natural Persuasion ~October 2006

The biological clock of a marine biologist is ticking fast. Her desperation compels her to answer a personal column ad from a rancher who wants an heir.

10) Your writing schedule, starting a 4:00 AM, sounds pretty rigorous. Do you write every day? And do you have a daily writing goal, as in, for example, 1000 words a day or a page a day?

My goal is solely to write every day. If it's only a paragraph, so be it, though I hope for more and most often accomplish it. I don't set a number of pages, ever.

11) Summarize your career as an author, like what inspired you, favorite author, favorite genre, whatever fires you up as a writer.

Seeing characters that I've created jump off the page is what fires me to write more. I've been writing for approximately seven years and even the rejections from various publishing houses didn't dissuade me from my desire to jot down my imaginings. The fact they developed into cohesive stories that appealed to others enough to bring publication and sales is nothing short of amazing. My favorite genre is romance; my favorite authors are Deborah Hale, Julianne MacLean and Cathryn Fox--all members of my Romance Writers Of Atlantic Canada writing group in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Lydia Hawke.

12) Freebee: ask yourself a question you think I should have asked that you would love to expound upon.

I don't dare; I've taken up more than my share of space, lol. You've asked excellent, thought-provoking questions.