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Interview with Minnette Meador
May 8, 2008
Hi Minnette,
It’s a delight to interview a fantasy/Sci Fi author and I know that is not all you write, but it is what most of the books you have published at the moment are. I love your website – the eyes of the woman on your banner at first disturbed me, but on closer examination they seem to be globes of the world, or should I say a world. Is this what they are supposed to represent?
~LOL~ This is the artist’s way of putting the “stars in my eyes”. Actually they are a planet with two moons instead of eyeballs with space behind them. They are kind of creepy at first until you take a closer look and then they look kind of cool. I will more than likely use this for my upcoming sci-fi/fantasy website since I will be dividing the romance site into its own. I’ll have something a little more appropriate that fits the romance genre for that.
I know our readers are anxious to find out more about you so would you please tell us a bit more – like you are a pro-musician and an actress. That sounds like a great career. Tell us more.
A very small time professional actress and musician. I was in a few acting troops on the southern coast of Oregon in a little tourist town called Bandon…beautiful place! I was also honored to play and sing for many years with Arthur Barduhn, who used to arrange for Mike Douglas back in the day. Arthur was a brilliant pianist and composer. We had a Dixie Land band for many years. From there I became a big band singer with a great band called It’s About Time Big Band, which had musicians from Les Browne’s band and several others from the old days. I was really the “kid”, but these guys were legends. I learned so much in those years. Then I did about a million musicals and plays both amateur and pro over the twelve years I was on the south coast. Between thirteen and twenty-two, I was a lounge singer in Portland, mostly at the Benson Hotel, but I traveled around a lot as a single. Even did some commercials. Stopped to have kids.
When do you find time to write? What is your writing day like/process — how much time do you actually spend writing everyday or is it everyday? Show us a typical day in the life of Minnette Meador if there is such a thing.
I have to make time to write since I have deadlines and always a project or six. My darling husband helped me put a schedule together so I wouldn’t go insane and take him with me. It seems to be working; M-F…promo-emails-blogs-groups 6am-7am, then get ready for work; work 8-3:30; promo/emails/blogs/web 3:30-6; 6-8 Mimi time (oh, that’s the nickname my family calls me); 8-10 or 11 Write. Sat; wake – 12 promo-emails-chats-etc.; 12-1 lunch; 1-6 write; 6-7 dinner/family; 7-10 write. Sun – wake-12 – Matt & Mimi time ~smooch, smooch~; 12-1 Lunch; 1-6 write; 6-7 dinner; 7-10 write. Of course I break the rules constantly and have to adjust it when I have book signings, events, or membership duties.
All sounds pretty boring, doesn’t it….but you need to be in my head to fully appreciate how exciting the life of a writer is…”No! No! You mustn’t tear my dress!” “I’ll tear anything I damn well please, missy! Now get that pretty little ass over here!”…Just a sample for the romance buff…~pant~ The fantasy goes a little like this; “No! No! You mustn’t take my power!” “I’ll take anything I damn well please, wizard! Now get that quirky little wand of yours over here!” --- See? It’s much more exciting in my head.
I read you have six children – and now five cats and one dog – How does the dog feel about this? What are the ages of your children – are they grown and moved out?
You must have a very busy household, which even makes me wonder more how you find time to write.
All six kids are now on their own (knock on wood) with only a few trips back to the ranch, as it were. They have viciously increased their numbers in protest; I now have three new daughters, a new son, and two new grandbabies…that’ll teach me. My dog weighs a whopping 4 lbs and doesn’t feel much of anything at 17 years these days, or maybe he just doesn’t really give a damn…we’re not entirely certain which. Actually, we’re relatively certain that Pierre runs the show and we are merely temporary meat buckets and ball throwing machines for his amusement. The cats are disinterested most of the time.
You have a Fantasy book that released in March of 2008 titled Starsight can you tell us a little about this book please? What was your impetus to write this one – How long did it take you to write it and is there more planned for this series?
I started this one as a short story in high school and it evolved from there. I finished the first time 25 years ago (can’t believe it’s been so long), then shelved it when a fellow author ripped it to shreds. My kids made me pull it out two years ago and literally blow the dust off it. I rewrote it from cover to cover. It took about six months for the rewrite. There is a second in the series coming out in November 2008, then I have two more planned, a prequel and a sequel.
Your works in progress include a Mystery Thriller, a paranormal and an erotic romantic comedy. You are a very versatile writer. Do you have one genre that you like more then the others? Why?
Since I have only written a little of each genre, I’m not certain which appeals to me more. I guess they appeal to me differently; Sci-Fi/Fantasy is an incredible amount of gray matter work. There are no references since you are creating your own worlds. The damned thing had better be created before you put anything living or thinking into it. That takes time…a lot of time. I actually LOVE writing historical romance a lot…it is great fun. However, I am looking forward to the Starsight Series especially when we go back into the history of the gods, and what they have done to this poor little…oh, I better not say too much about that … The Erotic romance is just going to be great fun…period!!! My protagonist is an oversexed beautiful little minx who works for a temporary spy agency and hires out to the highest bidder. Her partner is a wonderful alpha male, strong shoulders, gorgeous eyes, whom every woman will be drooling over…as will some men since Giz turns completely gay the second they complete an assignment. The man who finally settles Chastity down is an English Duke working for British intelligence.
Is there a genre that you haven’t tried yet that you would like to?
I have always adored Nero Wolfe mysteries and I would love to do an homage to the great Rex Stout one day. I would also LOVE to co-author anything with Spider Robinson, the most brilliant humorous of our time; honestly, I think this man is Samuel Clemmons returned to us. Spider is brilliant.
When you write do you have music in the back ground? If so, what kind. If not do you need complete silence to write? Where do you do your best writing?
If I remember, I turn on Live 365 and listen to background orchestral pieces (lots of movies) and some new age pieces, depending on what I’m working on.
Your name is quite unusual, at least to me. This is the first I have heard of it. What nationality is it? How did your parents come up with it? Does it have a special meaning?
This was my grandmother’s name and she was quite special. As a matter of fact, I’m absolutely convinced she was one of three things; an angel, a devil, or the muse herself. She was born in Greece on one of the small island and came to this county in the old days when things were not going well there. By the time she arrive in Chicago (later her home) she decided to change to name to become more “American”. Her given name was Ismene (this was the weak niece of Oedipus for those of you who remember such things). To say she hated the name would have been an understatement. She thought Minnette was much more…exotic, and she was probably correct. I ended up with it, knowing it was much too big for me and my parents mercifully ground it down to the moniker “Mimi” which is what my friends and family call me now. I go by both names. I have no idea what it means…little something, I think.
Your black and white picture on your web site is stunning – but your eyes are incredible. Personally, I am partial to black and white photography – the pictures just say more to my imagination. Why did you decide to use a black and white photo?
For some reason it just seemed to fit better. Here are examples of color and BW…you let me know what you prefer:
I see you belong to many groups. Do you thing belonging to these groups has helped your writing or getting published? How?
These groups have become my friends over the last couple of years and have taught me invaluable lessons….even when I was driving them crazy. I met great friends, got wonderful tips for writing and even received a bruise or two for writing really stupid things ~Love My Wombats~ My only regret is that I’ve had to curtail most of my group activities because I have so much writing and promo stuff going on. It’s hard to find a balance.
Do you have any advice for someone just starting out with their writing career?
Remember, you asked:
1. Writing is 10% writing and 90% editing. Edit 'til you can't stand the thing, then do it three more times. Then have someone else edit it and then go through it three more times after that. You should be there when you start to change words BACK to what they used to be. Here’s a good example; I edited this email for three hours before I was almost satisfied. You know you’re a writer when...you edit your IMs and text messages...
2. Get yourself a critiquing partner and a set of beta readers (family does nicely, especially if you have older kids...they do owe you; friends and co-worker are always good). LISTEN to what they have to say and be prepared for criticism. That’s what you don’t pay them for. A critiquing partner is absolutely an imperative and there are lots of groups out there that can help you find one...www.critters.org comes readily to mind, but there are many out there. Check in your genre. Or join a writing class in your community...that’s where my fabulous, wonderful, adorable partner came from.
3. Take classes, join associations, join groups, get involved in the writer's community (it's huge) and contribute to it. Harder to do than you think, believe me.
4. Be prepared to spend every waking hour on your dream and even some of your sleeping ones. The muse doesn't rest...at least until you need her, which leads me to...
5. DON'T RELY ON THE MUSE TO HELP YOU. (S)he will always let you down when you need her/him most. Being a published writer does not take inspiration, it takes dedication. You cannot wait until the art moves you...art is a lazy, drunken sod sometimes and it’s up to you to move it along. Hardest thing to do as a writer is to keep going. There are lots of tips on how to break writer’s block out there. The best advice I ever received? Get off your ass and hit those keys (or move that pen, if you’re a purest) - who cares what you write, just write.
6. Be kind, be loving, live well, and treat others well. When you critique someone or even give them an opinion of their work, keep in mind yours is (or will be) in another's hands one day. Creation is a fragile thing and easily destroyed...look at an egg sometime. I know; I shelved writing for twenty years because of a criticism. I regret it to this day.
7. You must develop a thick skin for this business...the whole “slings & arrows” thing. Not everyone is going to like your work....not everyone appreciates the hours that went into its creation...not everyone is kind. A gentle grace is needed to be a writer, I think...swear and punch through walls when you get home, but keep in mind it’s only one person’s opinion. You can choose to agree...or not. Did I mention this profession takes a bit of ego, as well?
8. There is no reward without sacrifice. When you see your name in print, the paperback crushed in your trembling hands, I promise, it will be worth all the pain. All you have to do then is write the next one...
You have a piece of writing in one of the Chicken Soup books, Congratulations!– can you tell us a bit about this. How did it come to be? What is your piece titled and where can we get it?
Actually, it is in a sister book from Adams called A Cup of Comfort For Single Mothers and is available from most book stores and Amazon, Barnes, Borders, etc. The piece I had accepted is called “Sunday Breakfast” and is a light hearted view of what happened one morning when my boys were still in diapers and decided to make me breakfast. It’s ok…their still alive…
Last but not least can you tell us where we can read more about your books and you. How can we order them?
Here are links to all of my book and various personalities on the internet. Feel free to join any of my groups, introduced yourself to me on Myspace, or just drop me a line sometime. Also, I always have a monthly drawing for free books, and wonderful trinkets if you join my mailing list. Just go to www.minnettemeador.com and click the mailing list link and I’ll get you added. I love talking to readers…they are my inspiration…Minnette
http://www.minnettemeador.com/
RWA Groups:
Rose City Romance
Celtic Hearts
From the Heart Romance
Publishers:
http://www.stonegarden.net/ (Starsight, Vol. I & II (II available November 2008)
http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/ (The Centurion & The Queen (out
now) – The Breton & The General – TBD 2008)
The Centurion & The Queen – Available from www.resplendencepublishing.com
- soon on Amazon, Fictionwise, Mobibooks, etc.
Starsight, Vol. I – Available Now on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, Borders, etc.
A Cup of Comfort for Single Mothers – Available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel, Borders, etc.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to answer our questions. I wish you much success in your career; I can’t wait to see more of your books.
Many Sales to You!
Thanks, Billie – This has been an absolute blast!!! Minnette
Interviewed by: Billie A. Williams at Manic Readers
View Minnette Meador's Author Page
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