Interview of Mary S. McGuire

By

William J. Calabrese

WJC: What brought you to write a sequel to A Time to Trust? Was there some unfinished business there?

Mary: Both Laney and Danny were such strong characters, I wanted to use them as the mainstay for this novel (TO TRUST AGAIN) set in contemporary West Texas. Besides romance, there are also elements of suspense and, surprisingly enough, touches of humor. It was a book that I thoroughly enjoyed writing, often catching myself laughing over the dialogue, especially that of the supporting characters. We have all rooted for Gerald, the little guy, and held disdain for pompous Roman. We like to see the underdog win!

WJC: I see that this is your fourth book for Wings Press. Can you bring us up to date on those?

Mary: My first book, RACHEL’S JOURNEY, is the tale of a pioneer woman doctor going West to find acceptance as a physician and a woman. A TIME TO TRUST deals with a young woman’s learning to put a painful marriage behind to find a new, endearing love. A TIME OF FORGIVENESS is the story of an older, established business woman falling in love with a younger man and making the relationship work. TO TRUST AGAIN relates the story of childhood sweethearts forging a worthwhile love by overcoming many obstacles, even the suspicion of murder. These three romances are set primarily in Texas and make up the contemporary trilogy. All have a bit of “meat” to them as the characters cope with challenges and eventually experience real inner growth. Although a trilogy, each book can stand alone.

WJC: What is your writing routine like? Do you find time to write every day? Do you find that a particular time of day is best for you?

Mary: I am a morning person so I try to write early in the day, every day, but it depends on what is going on around me. Recently I heard Roger Williams, the pianist, say he didn’t choose music, music chose him. I agree, I didn’t choose writing, writing chose me! With such an exacting taskmaster, I have to work steadily.

WJC: Having taught for twenty-four years in the public school system, having raised three children, and now enjoying eight grandchildren, have you ever written a children’s book or entertained the thought of writing one?

Mary: “Never say never,” but at the present, I am not considering this genre. Young adult, maybe.

WJC: Is there anything in your background (farm bringing-up, long teaching career , etc.) that strongly influences your writing, what you write about, and who you write about?

Mary: Of course, teaching school and living on a farm as a child, have influenced my works, but so has living in the Dallas metropolitan area had its effect. I was blessed in being able to have educational backgrounds in both English and psychology which helped diversify my interests, i.e. from the classical in literature to the all too painfully realistic in life.

I had to laugh when a friend asked if I used real or specific people I had known. I wouldn’t dare write that way--everyone would think I was exaggerating. How true the saying, fact is more exciting than fiction, at least more unbelievable!

WJC: Do you have any works in progress that you would like to tell us about?

Mary: As always, I have several plots I’m considering--a historical adventure set in Texas, a historical trilogy about an American pioneering family, and a mystery series. I really feel the need to experiment within different genres.

One element in writing so important in these particularly stressful times is optimism. No matter, what the challenge, my characters are rewarded for their sacrifices which almost always result in a happy ending!

Mary: I want to thank you for so graciously chatting with me today. To all, Happy Reading!