Escape with a Writer Sunday features Tricia McGill!
Tricia’s love of animals has always shown up in her books. Tricia devotes as much time and money as she can spare to supporting worldwide conservation groups and is passionate about supporting those who do all they can to preserve our wildlife for future generations. She volunteers for a local community group that helps disabled adults and children to connect to the internet with provided computer equipment. When people ask what she does in her spare time, she is heard to ask, “Spare time, what is that?”
Tell us about your life outside of writing.
My day always begins with taking my two dogs for a walk. I love to potter in my garden. I have recently moved and the garden here has many rose bushes that need tending. I have been a volunteer for 20 years for a local community group that provides technical equipment and ongoing assistance to disabled or housebound folk and their carers (very important people). Each day I take care of the admin side of things. Once the mail is checked and the day’s promo taken care of, then it is writing time.
Do you have a work in progress?
I am currently just about halfway (or thereabouts) on Annie’s Choice Book 4 in my Settler’s Series, Australian historical romances set in the 1800s. Book 3 was Tim’s story and when that was finished, his younger sister was determined to have her say and insisted I write about her. She kept me guessing on where she wanted to go next, and who with, but now will not shut up, hence the title. Will she make the right choice in the end? I have no idea at this stage.
What was the most difficult section/piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?
As you probably guessed by the above, my characters tell me where they want the story to go, but my book Crying is for Babies, was the true story of my beloved sister Violet’s life, and there were days I sobbed so hard as I wrote that it grew painful. But, I kept my promise to her and wrote it all down, working through the pain and sadness. Of course, there was also plenty of laughter along with the tears.
What sort of research do you do for your work?
Tons and tons. When writing about past eras each day-to-day activity has to be researched down to the last detail. This goes for whether I am working in the early days of Australia (as now) or going back to Viking times or ancient Scotland as in my time-travels. Even modern eras have to be researched meticulously. My contemporary romances are set in Australia, so depending on the area they are set in I still need to know that place well. In the early writing days, I would spend many hours at the library (a place I love) making reams of notes, but now old Google serves me well. Luckily, I love this part, there is always something new to learn as you delve into the past.
Which books and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an author that inspires you?
I have always loved reading time-travels, hence love writing them, and love to read historicals, but also like contemporary romance. I was inspired in my early writing days by authors like Charlotte and Emily Bronte, Catherine Coulter, Bertrice Small, LaVyrle Spencer, to name a few.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write?
My husband Bill was my biggest supporter. He went out and bought my first typewriter when he saw how eager I was to spend hours scribbling in notebooks. Soon the typewriter was upgraded to a word processor, and eventually to a computer. Unfortunately, he passed away in 1998 just before my first book was published. So encouraging was he that he took my first draft off to a publisher in the city, marched in there and presented it to a wonderful person who took the time to read it and give me a 3 page critique that led me in the right direction. Only afterwards did we learn that she was a publisher of medical journals and most definitely not a publisher of Romance books. She remarked in the letter she enclosed that his enthusiasm and obvious love for me gave her the impetus to read it.
Thanks so much, Diane, for having me as your guest and for such great questions.
Anytime, Tricia! I'm looking forward to seeing more great books from you.
Mystic Mountains (Settlers Book 1)In the early 1800s the penal colony of Botany Bay was an unforgiving and harsh place. Isabella O'Shea is transported to New South Wales for wounding a member of the British aristocracy who raped her, so it is understandable that she loathes members of the upper class and the system that punished her; sentenced her to seven years transportation.
Tiger Carstairs is rich, ambitious and English-so is it any wonder she is determined to hate her new master. Tiger dreams of making a new life beyond the aptly named Blue Mountains, so called because of the perpetual haze of blue surrounding them.
Mystic Mountains is a story of courage and persistence-traits that were essential for the settlers who carved out a new life in a raw land where suffering and heartbreak were commonplace.
Isabella and Tiger face tragedy and many hardships in their quest for a new life in this untamed land.
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/Mystic-Mountains
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Powerful Destiny
Can love span time?
It is 850AD and Norse warrior Rolf lands on the shores of East Anglia determined to take revenge on a Celtic clan. Following a fierce battle, where the Celts are savagely killed, Rolf comes face to face with the daughter of the slain Celtic leader. So stunned by the beauty, along with the courage of Brigid, he is convinced that his Three Fates of Destiny brought them together. Resolved to make this woman his own, he spares the lives of the captured Celtic women and children and takes them back to his homeland across the ocean.Strangely drawn to the Norseman who is so sure they are destined to be together, Brigid must fight against succumbing to the wishes of the man who killed her father. Nevertheless, to save her fellow Celtic captives from slavery or worse, Brigid must keep a bargain with the Norse leader—a bargain that will see her tied to him forever.
In present day Cornwall, naturally shy Rolf shares his secluded lighthouse with his wolfhound. An artist, he delights in the rugged scenery and ever-changing weather. While in the nearest bookshop one day, he meets a newcomer to town. Brigid’s unusual personality strikes a chord with him. Not only are both convinced they have met before, but their fascination for Viking and Celtic history forges an unusual bond between them. Outspoken and forthright, Brigid sets out to break down the barrier of reserve and caution Rolf has erected over the years. Is it simply whimsy or can lovers across centuries be reunited?
Buy link: http://books2read.com/Powerful-Destiny
BWL Publishing Author page: http://www.bookswelove.net/romance-authors/mcgill-tricia/
Web Page: www.triciamcgill.com
Blog: http://triciamg.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorTriciaMcGill
