Once again, a great interview with Pat McDermott, author of Band of Roses. Here it is:
Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
A: Nothing about the plot would change, but I’d still be revising and editing to get everything just so. Of course, I never would. This is one reason why writers have deadlines. I recently heard an author say she still sees things she’d like to change in books she wrote thirty years ago.
Q: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
A: The stories I heard and read as a child, especially Andrew Lang’s rainbow of fairy tale books, enchanted me. My extended family included some great storytellers, so it seemed natural that I’d want to wield a few enchanting spells myself. I’ve been creating my own stories for as long as I can remember.
Q: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
A: I enjoy conducting research for background information and though I tailor facts to fit the story, weaving them into the plot without bogging it down is always a challenge.
Q: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
A: How can anyone have a favorite author with so many wonderful authors out there? I’d have to name a few. Edward Rutherford and Diana Gabaldon draw me into their historical worlds, John Sanford into his modern day crime scenes, and William Trevor into the simple joy of phrasing words to create vivid images. I do admire Simon Winchester’s ability to impart facts an easygoing way that seems more like fiction than nonfiction.
Q: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
A: Pinning down a genre for A Band of Roses was and still is tough. The story is an alternate history with elements of adventure, sci-fi, and romance, though it’s none of those things exclusively. Reading such stories has always been a treat for me. Writing one was an enjoyable undertaking, one I hope will offer readers an entertaining escape.
About the Author:
Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Pat McDermott grew up in a family full of music and myths that have found their way into her stories. She is a member of The New Hampshire Writers’ Project, Seacoast Writers’ Association, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. A frequent visitor to Ireland, she lives in New Hampshire, where she is currently working on her next novel.
To find out more about the author and her work visit www.patmcdermott.net
Part 1 | (Part 2)
