Interview Tricia McGill

by

Irene Pascoe

1) Hi Tricia, congratulations on your newest release, Shrinking Violet. Please tell us a little bit about the story and what inspired you to write it.

Thanks, Irene. Shrinking Violet is my first story written completely in the first person, and also my first contemporary suspense. Violet Amelia Connor, known as Leah, is a garden designer who inherited her love of growing things from the eccentric aunt who brought her up after her parents’ death. Leah is stubborn and a trifle nosy. These traits lead her into a good deal of mischief. Leah is contracted to work on a handsome PIs garden by his well-meaning sister, and becomes drawn into his cases. She is kidnapped and taken off on a wild ride across country and then the sea, but her indomitable spirit helps her survive. As in my other contemporaries Shrinking Violet is set in Victoria, Australia. I really can’t recall what inspired me to write this one. I wanted a free-spirited and independent heroine who wouldn’t be fazed by anything thrown at her. Leah certainly turned out just like that. And I have to say this book was so much fun to write it was finished in record time.

2) What do you enjoy the most about the writing process, research, character development, plot development, revision?

All of those, in exactly the order you have them. I love research--that’s why I enjoy writing time-travels and historicals. I am continually amazed at how my characters take over the story and develop in their own way, seemingly without any help from me. I start with a basic idea, but never do extensive plot lines as I like to let the plot develop as I go along. Some writers hate revision, but I find that once the first draft is down I thoroughly enjoy adding, enhancing and revising.

3) What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?

Finding the time to write. Also the promoting. I really don’t like that part of being a writer very much. I would just like to write and let someone else do the rest.

4) Are you a fast writer, or is writing a slow process for you?

Once I get into a story I’m fairly fast. The first draft of Shrinking Violet was down in less than a month, making it my fastest produced book. Every one is different though.

5) Do you have a set daily writing schedule that you follow?

I have to say I haven’t, at the moment. I do a lot of community work and this takes me away from my computer quite a bit. I check my emails every morning and last thing at night, and never get any writing done in the mornings. I sit at my computer most afternoons and evenings doing writing related work if not actually writing.

6) What is your favorite book that you have written?

After careful consideration I would have to say Amaryllis. Having an alien as a hero was such fun. You can do just about anything when creating other worlds as no one can dispute your facts. And Reve was possibly my sexiest hero.

7) Are you active in your community as a guest author speaker?

Not currently. I’ve done quite a few talks in the past, but finding time these days is difficult. As I said before, I’m a lazy promoter.

8) Who are the best supporters in your writing career?

My sisters. They boost my ego frequently by boasting about their clever younger sister who thinks up these ideas and stories. My husband was my staunchest supporter before he died, backing me in every possible way, and they took over from him. I think they secretly think I’m slightly mad as they know how much work goes into producing a book.

9) How do you enjoy your spare time?

I go line dancing two mornings a week and to socials a couple of times a month. I love the music, the company, the exercise, and learning new dances helps to keep the old brain cells active. I walk my dog Jessie every day, and enjoy working in my garden when time allows.

10) Could you please tell us a little about your current work in progress?

I’m working on another time-travel. This time my two heroines go back to Viking times. The original idea was to have one women and two men in love with her, but as I’ve already said, my characters go their own sweet way, and my heroine’s friend decided to go back in time with her. So it will have to be two stories--one for each female lead. I’ve wanted to have a Viking hero for ages, but of course this is turning out far differently to what I planned. I can’t wait to see what happens next. I had to research the Viking era extensively, which I enjoyed almost as much as I’m enjoying the writing.