Interview Tricia McGill

by

Sharon Woods

Hello Tricia, I see you’ve had several books published but I’d like to ask you a few questions.

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I worked in the fashion industry for many years and it wasn’t until I had to retire early that I finally found the time to write in earnest. I began scribbling in longhand and before I knew it a whole book was written. It was just a matter then of getting a typewriter and teaching myself to type--something I’d never done before. I wrote a few short category romances before I decided to tackle a historical, then the time-travels that I loved to read. So far I haven’t had the urge to write anything but romances--I’m too much of a romantic and just love a happy ending. I live just outside Melbourne in Australia. I was born in London, but haven’t been back there since 1972, as I hate to fly.

2. Before you started writing did you take any writing courses?

Not before I started writing, but after, I joined a creative writing class. The tutor taught me many things, the most useful being knowing how to tap into my muse and let the thoughts flow.

3. I know you’ve been published before, but are you still excited when you see your name in print?

Every time. There’s no thrill to match that feeling, that sense of satisfaction. I doubt I’ll ever lose this excitement even after my fiftieth book is published.

4. What does your family think of your writing?

They are so supportive, and proud of me. They are my number one fans.

5. What inspired you to write Look Into Your Heart?

Do you know, I can’t remember. Like all my other stories I guess it began as a simple idea. Two people, both opposed to marriage and kidding themselves they could get along fine without a lifelong partner.

6. When you begin a new book do you start with an outline or just the plot?

My first books were outlined and plotted in detail, but I soon found that the storyline went off on a tangent, and it was so much wasted time working out each chapter and each event, so then I just started with a simple outline. This works best for me. I usually know most of my character’s traits when I start and where they are going to end up. But it’s the journey there that surprises me as much as them.

7.  How long does it usually take you to complete a book?

Every one is different. The fastest I’ve ever done a first draft is about three weeks, and the longest about a year. And because I’ve written in several sub-genres and the finished length is anything from 50,000 words to over 100,000 words it’s hard to estimate how long each would have taken.

8.  I see that you write in several different genres.  Which genre do you enjoy the most?

I love my time-travels, absolutely loved writing my futuristic, Amaryllis, which was so much fun, as were my contemporaries, I’m a glutton for research so love writing historicals. Looks like I can’t answer that one clearly, doesn’t it? The relationship between man and woman fascinates me, and as I said, I’m a romantic soul, so whatever the setting I just enjoy taking my main characters on the journey towards a happy ever after.

9.  When and how did you discover e books?

Like most writers I did the rounds of the paper publishing houses for years, and became disillusioned with their refusal to accept anything that didn’t fit into their rigid guidelines. Blue Haze was actually requested by Jacobyte Books, whose editor had already read the book. They were just starting out and my book was one of their first publications. That was in 2000. Before that I really had not much idea of what an ebook was. From then onwards I never looked back. As soon as I heard that Lorraine had opened “Wings” I submitted Amaryllis, and am so glad I did.

10. Do you have a new project in mind now?

I have several ideas churning around in my head, but first I have to finish the time-travel I’m half way through, and the second draft of a contemporary. I’m working on adapting one of my books into a screenplay, and that’s my main project. I dream of seeing all my books on the screen some day--don’t we all?

I’ve enjoyed interviewing you Tricia and I’m looking forward to reading more of your work