Interview Katherine McGibbons

by

Carol McPhee

1) What made you decide to be a writer?

I started writing as a teenager while in high school, but if you ask my mother, she'll tell you I started telling stories at a much younger age. I'm not quite sure what she means by that because I'm sure I never once told a fib, but I did enjoy making up bed-time stories for my younger brother. I decided to write a full length novel after I reached my forties, and it was my husband who helped me make that decision. He issued a challenge to "stop talking about it and just do it". So, I did.

2) What do you enjoy most about writing and dislike most?

What I like most is taking the barest whisper of an idea, and having it come alive on paper. What I like least is trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to find the time to devote to writing.

3) What is your writing schedule?

I have no schedule. I'm the Director of Graduate Admissions and Academic Services for a major research university. That, and taking care of my family take up the majority of my time. Any time I can carve out of the day (or week) to spend on my writing is like gold.

4) How did you come to writing your current book?

Deirdre: The Long Journey Into Legend is actually based very loosely upon an ancient Irish legend; Deirdre of the Sorrows. I had heard the story many times, but when I came across a play written by W.B. Yeats about Deirdre, I thought... that would make a great book, but what if she... And thats how it began. Of course the characters were already in there, I didn't even have to think about my cast of characters, and they just wouldn't leave me alone until I put the story down on paper.

5) What's the most romantic thing that ever happened to you?

Strangely enough, it happened last winter when I found myself in the hospital. This was about the fourth day in the hospital and umpteen tests later, and we still didn't know for sure what was wrong, but the doctors were very grim. My husband sat there with tears in his eyes and said, "It should be me lying there not you. I don't know what I will do without you." Now that might not seem very romantic, but after 32 years of marriage, to have your husband say something like that. Well, I think that is what real romance is.

6) What characteristics are in your present hero?

Neill is a strong, stoic man who takes his responsibilities as protector, and Chieftain to his people, very seriously. He is honest, very protective, but unfortunately, the death of his wife has left him emotionally unprepared to love another woman.

7) What's your idea of a perfect date?

My goodness, its been so long I hardly remember. I've been married going on 32 years! I suppose the perfect date is when I come home from work and my husband says something like... I just missed you so much today, hands me one of those really beautiful, lovey-dovey greeting cards, and has dinner already on the table. After dinner, we sit on the couch, watch TV and hold hands. Yes, after 32 years we still hold hands. He is the love of my life, my best friend, and always will be.

8) What is your favorite part of the writing process?

To be able to make my characters come alive on the paper. I want my readers to come to know my characters, as I do, as though they were real.

9) What is your least favorite?

Plotting. I really stink at it. I prefer to let my characters tell the story to me. Then I can put it down on paper for them.

10) What types of books do you like to read?

I enjoy all kinds of books; romance of course, historical, mystery and suspense. I used to read a lot of thrillers, but not so much anymore. I really love the British mysteries.

11) What are fun activities for you?

Writing, of course, but I also love to work in my garden as well. I really enjoy quilting, but the arthritis in my hands prevents me from doing that much anymore. My, but I really sound like an old lady!

12. What other writing projects do you have in the works?

I have three works-in-progress right now.

Longphort is a historical romance, set in Ireland during the time of the Viking invasions.

The Glyde Witches: A Flicker of Hope is a Romantic Suspense. This is a new genre for me. I enjoy reading suspense but this is my first attempt at writing in that genre.

The third WIP is actually a new genre for me as well. It is tentatively called Obsessed and it is a Dark Suspense/Thriller. No romance there, just pure obsession and all the darker human emotions that go along with it.