Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve been a writer in odd ways all my life. Five years ago I decided to try to write a novel. I wanted to see if I was a writer, the person who observes life and shares it in the written world of fiction. I have written five books so far and I plan to write more.
I love being an independent author because I get to write what I like creatively. My novel, The Clown, was a Staff Pick on Write On by Kindle in Humor. I wrote The Draculan Hunter soon after with the same satire just to poke fun at life (and vampires). I also write old-fashioned Romances. I think I keep coming back to humor because the funny side of life reveals so much truth about ourselves. I sometimes think satire is sadness turned upside down.
I also like Romance, and wrote The Kiss that Saved Her which is a retelling of Snow White. Fairytales are wonderful because the format makes it possible to write lovely prose. Sometimes we like to be poetic when we write and I find Romance novels allow for this type of wording better than humor. I’m a teacher by training and I like to have a theme in all my books because I think books help us grow as people. Of course some books are more about entertaining than others. I love satire because it’s so subtle.
I’d like to thank Awesomegang for such a great place for writers to get the word out that our book is out there.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The Draculan Hunter was inspired by Lucifer. I’m serious. I wanted to show evil is what evil does and so the Draculans are doing bad deeds all over Philadelphia, and yes, they are going to get their comeuppance. But you have to read the book to see how. As I like to blurb: vampires die.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
No. Well, not really. I write best when I get an idea that burns a hole in my imagination.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the Classics. I love Nathaniel Hawthorne. I love Eugene O’Neill. I love Chaim Potok and once I got to meet him years ago. As for books, I still cry when I read Little Women. There are a lot of modern books that are great too, like Diary of a Wimpy Kid which I read because my son loves them.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing up with a book called Treasures of a Lasting Kind which is a middle school fiction book. It’s an inspirational buddy story. I really love the two best friends in the book, Taylor and Charlie. They are a lot of fun to write.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve used Facebook promotions, and some other sites like Free-Ebooks.net for promotions.
I publish through Pronoun platform which makes it easy to self-publish. In the future I’m planning on getting together an audio version of some of my work, which will open a new way to market books.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t become discouraged. Believe in your work and continue to write. It is a tough field, but the art we create has such lasting value. A good writing group will help solve any feelings of isolation and there are plenty to be found on Facebook. Make sure to keep on learning no matter what. Don’t take criticism too seriously either for that is why a lot of people stop writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write even if you don’t feel like it. This is a great way to get through writer’s block. We all get some form of writer’s block and at those times we think we’ll never write again. If we just sit down and write, even if it’s horrible, the good stuff will start to stir again. I also believe in the muse. I just don’t know when it will show up.
What are you reading now?
I have some writer friends on a site (Chapters123.com) and I’m reading their unpublished work. As for published novels, since it’s October, I’m reading the Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I plan to begin a new novel which goes back to the Romance genre. I’m going to make this one a Christmas theme and have it ready by next Christmas.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Okay, this is cliché but The Bible. It’s a lot to digest so it would take years to finish. I’m assuming the desert island is remote and I’d be there for a while. Then there’s Jane Eyre for Romance, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy because I like humor. And of course, anything by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Author Websites and Profiles
E.M. McCarthy Website
E.M. McCarthy’s Social Media Links
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