In the Author Spotlight - Carol McPhee

In the Author Spotlight this month, I'm very pleased to welcome multi-published award winning novelist Carol McPhee.







Welcome, Carol. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I never intended to be a writer. Growing up, I used to visualize scenes with a hero and heroine to get to sleep, never dreaming I would one day run scenes together to complete fourteen published novels. My husband and I live in Nova Scotia and I often use the locale for my setting. The province is rich in folklore and its sea bound atmosphere lends well to various plots as in A Spirited Liaison, Be Still! My Heart, Means To An End, None So Blind, and Undercover Trouble. I start my day at 4am because that’s when my stories pop into my head begging to escape.

Every author I’ve met has their own unique story of how they found their way into writing. What path led you to become an author?

I used to read romance novels and eventually became tired of reading predictable stories. I decided to try writing the kind of story I would like to read. None So Blind was my first attempt but not the first one published. Something About That Lady came later and to this day is my favorite. Jeweled Seduction was an experiment in writing older characters which I enjoyed so much I followed it up with Alaskan Magic.

What aspect of the writing process to you enjoy the most?

I enjoy writing ‘in the zone’ when the words fly from my fingers to the keyboard with little stopping to think. Mind you, that doesn’t happen as often as I would like, but it’s pure joy when it does.

What part of the process do you dread? I absolutely abhor the promotion aspect. Selling myself as an author is an abomination I’d rather not take part in. Lol.

Are you a plotter or a pantser in terms of your writing style?

I am a pantser. I love to give my characters full steam and let them run with the plot. The few times I’ve plotted out a story, they did that anyway. Once I have the setting nailed and the age of my characters decided, whatever happens is up to them. Describe your writing space. I use a small former bedroom which we now call the computer room. If I need quiet, we have a table in our sunroom that’s set up with a laptop.

Which author has most influenced or inspired you?

Deborah Hale, a Harlequin Historical writer, whom I met at a writing workshop, inspired and encouraged me to put my thoughts to paper. My husband insisted I learn the computer if I intended to write and after a couple of years of struggle I could see the benefits of it.

Of all of your published books, which one story or character is your favorite and why?

Guess I answered that one above, but the reason I like Something About That Lady so well is because it’s so suited to George Clooney, my favorite actor, playing the part of Jed.

Would you tell us a little about your latest book?

Shadowed Pursuit is a romantic suspense which involves two RCMP officers as the hero and heroine. An amnesia victim, the heroine struggles to regain her memory and must deal with the pressure of knowing her life is in danger. Dare she trust the offensive stranger who killed her attacker with his bare hands?

What can readers expect in the coming months? What are you working on now?

I’m in the final stage of finishing another manuscript and hopefully it will find a publishing home. It’s the story of a single woman approaching her fortieth birthday. She has decided it is now or never to conceive a child who will bring unconditional love to her life. How she attains this goal is far removed from her expectation and forms the main plotline.

What interview question have you never been asked that you’re dying to answer?

Whether or not I envision myself as the heroine. Lol. Answer it. No! lol.

Where can you be found on the web? (web site, blogs, social network links)

I have a website: http://carolmcphee.webs.com/

My books are sold through Wings ePress and Champagne Books