About Traci McDonald:
Traci McDonald has been a writer since she figured out how to make words on a page. Traci wrote for English classes like most people, but she wrote everything else in between. Traci won minor competitions with short stories, poetry and lyrics before becoming visually impaired. That is just a political correct way of saying Traci McDonald is blind. Traci lost her eyesight 17 years ago, but it never stopped her from living life and following her dreams. She has struggled with her health and raising kids, prior to the publication of her first novel. Traci is very excited to see her dream in life coming true. She lives in a small cozy town in the Mojave Desert, less than 150 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada.
Traci McDonald has four other books in the process of
becoming published and a whole list of others she plans to write.
VS: What do you do to help
balance your writing life with your family life?
Traci: There are two basic
principles to achieving balance: time management and sacrifice. My three
children are all in school full time so I am fortunate enough to have 5-7
hours a day to work with. If I lost myself in my writing for all that time,
I could crank out novels by the dozen. However, I still have to manage
time to do school and extra-curricular activities, clean, and cook. When I
plan and manage my time, I can usually fit in a little marketing time, a
little home time and a little writing time. When the kids are home though,
my focus has to shift and I sacrifice what I have not accomplished to meet
homework needs, chores, sports, and family time. Although I would like to
be wrapped in my stories constantly, I give up writing a dozen novels for
my kids. It works…usually. There are, of course, those days when I’m in
the middle of a scene or the inspiration is flowing and the house is not
so clean and we have peanut butter for dinner.
VS: Traci, you still amaze me at how much you do each day and I know your kids are wonderful about helping with the house so you can write. Which brings me to my next question. How long have you been
writing?
Traci: Yes, my kid and husband both support me in my writing and I'm lucky. To answer your question, I have been writing since I could hold a pencil and spell. It has
always been a part of me. I wrote songs, poems, short stories and
anecdotes all the way through college. I lost my eyesight when I was in my
early twenties and it became more difficult to write. I lacked the
technology that would have made it possible to continue writing seriously.
For about 10 years I would type things into the computer and then get
someone to read it to me and help me make corrections. This was long and
tedious, and therefore I didn’t write very much or make much progress. I
suffered a number of health problems during this time as well: two
premature pregnancies, an international adoption, kidney failure, and of
course progressive blindness. Three
years ago after having a kidney transplant and feeling better than I had
in 15 years, I got a hold of some computer software and began to learn and
practice writing again. I still think of myself as learning and thriving in this world
of authors and publishers, but I feel the confidence to push forward
knowing if you work a dream long enough, it will come true.
VS: Your story is amazing and still inspires me each time I hear it. What inspired you to write
your book?
Traci: My novel Killing Casanova is a love story about two people who learn to
love and trust each other despite the fact our hero is not much of a
gentleman and our heroine can’t see who she is falling for. I wanted to
show people the simple, pure way love works when we are not caught up
in appearances. I wanted to take a man who had everything but was lost,
and show him how a blind woman was the only person who truly saw the real
man he was. I got the idea from a song that talked about a good time
cowboy Casanova. The song describes Casanova as ‘a snake with blue eyes’
and I remember a time in my life when I would have fallen for a nice pair
of azure eyes and forgotten to meet the man. Blindness has saved me from
those childish follies and I wanted to tell that story.
VS: Wow, what a moving way to describe the inspiration for your debut romance novel, Killing Casanova, and for those of you who don't know...Traci's husband has those azure eyes and is a true sweetheart. Okay, Traci, you have shared a bit your crazy life. However, what is a typical
writing day like for you?
Traci: I get up and get my kids fed, dressed and off to
school before I sit down at the computer. I generally check my email and
answer what I can. I check my social network sites, post on Facebook if
necessary and depending on the day, write on my blog tracimcdonald.blogspot.com\writing blind. I then do the chores on my list for the day: laundry, sheets and
towels, floors, etc. After lunch, I will research my current project
and write a scene or two from more than one of the novels I am working on.
All the while I am listening to audio books, the news and learning from
some tapes I have from Romance Writers of America Conferences.
When my kids
come home from school we do homework, chores and go to soccer, scouts,
football, gymnastics etc. I usually get an hour or so to keep writing
after that because my husband doesn’t get home from work until after 7
o’clock. We have dinner, get kids off to bed and then I may write for
another hour if nothing else is going on, but often this is my husband time to catch up on the day, grocery shop or just collapse and go to
bed ourselves. One of the privileges of being blind is it allows me the
opportunity to multi-task. I can work around the house and listen to
blogs or tapes, or even research. I can take my talking laptop, go to
afterschool activities and still squeeze some writing in.
VS: I hope you know some authors are sitting here thinking, Maybe I should blindfold myself to get more work done. LOL. My next question I already know the answer too, but I would love for you share how your family is supportive
of your writing.
Traci: My husband and kids are super supportive. They get
jealous for my attention some times, but I couldn’t do it without them. My
husband and boys are great for untangling all the messes I make when I can’t figure
something out on the computer. My youngest, who blesses “Mama to finish her
books” in his prayers, is always there to to help me out. I'm grateful for all the
sacrifices they make when I let some of my ‘mom’ jobs slip.
VS: You really do have an amazing family who not only help but surround you with love. They really pitch in and go that extra effort when it comes to your writing. Can you share with us
a little about your current book Killing
Casanova?
Traci: Killing Casanova is the story of Jake Caswell, a small town actor/model with
the good looks and charm to have earned him the reputation of Casanova. When
newcomer Cassie Taylor meets and instantly dislikes him, Jake sets out to
add Cassie to Casanova’s list of conquests. Cassie has a bitter past with
a man like Jake, but her complete indifference to him doesn’t save her
from meeting up with him and seeing the truth of who he is. A disastrous
barn fire nearly destroys them both before the two learn to let go of
their pasts and figure out who is trying to kill Casanova.
Killing Casanova is a suspense
romance ebook, which will be released into print this month. It is published through Crimson Romance, an imprint of Adam’s
Media. It is 170 pages long and is available where most ebooks are sold and on Amazon in print.
VS: All writers have different things they difficult when it comes to writing. What did you find to
be the most challenging part of writing your book(s)?
Traci: Formatting and
editing are the most difficult part of writing for me. I can’t see what
I am writing so the computer reads it to me. His charming robotic voice
can mispronounce words or make a word that is spelled wrong sound like it’s
correct. I’m learning how to overcome these problems, but formatting is
always an issue. The computer can’t tell me if I have the correct page
breaks, the right number of spaces between lines or the right indentation
on dialogue. I rely on the help of good editors, family and friends to do
this visual part.
VS: LOL, I should have known that was going to be your answer. Yes, that would be the biggest challenge when you can't see, but to help you feel better...I know a lot of sighted authors who have trouble with formatting too. Traci, what part of your book do
you feel really stands out to you personally?
Traci: One of the most unique
features in Killing Casanova is
that parts of it are written from the blind character’s point of view. Not
only is this significant for people who are blind, but it provides a
glimpse of a blind person’s experience to sighted people. This aspect
stands out to me because while I would never wish blindness on anyone, it
is an experience unlike any other. I believe sighted people could
learn how normal and fascinating being blind can really be.
VS: I totally agree with you. I know my outlook on life has greatly changed in knowing you. I see things beyond my own eyes more now. Which brings me to your characters. Did you put yourself into any of your charaters?
Traci: The blind character Cassie Taylor
is most like me. She is more fearless than I am, but I am more open and
trusting than she is. It was a unique challenge for me to try to create a
character that lives in a world most people can’t imagine themselves in. I
hope I was able to show that even though you can’t imagine trying to live
blind, you can imagine the feelings, emotions, beliefs and lessons that
we as humans share.
VS: I know for me, I really understood and related to what you were trying to do with your character Cassie, but then I spend a lot of time around you so some may say I'm bias. So I encourage those who haven't read your book to do so and see I'm not, and other reviewers who don't know have picked up these exact same things and then were surprised to find you were a blind author. Okay, back to the interview, I know you have other
works in progress. Can you share a little about them?
Traci: I have five other
manuscripts that are almost finished or are in the process of being edited
and polished. A sequel to Killing
Casanova is in the works, a trilogy of paranormal romances and a
contemporary romance I am still finding the voice of one of my
characters. I have a whole list of book outlines and novel ideas as well
as the beginnings of three other manuscripts. I like to have more
than one project to work on because it cuts down on writers block.
VS: I'm looking forward to reading your other books/manuscripts when they are ready. I think it is great you have more than one writing project going and do it while raising a family. What tips can you give
writing parents with children at home to help them see publication?
Traci: I
think the most important thing you can do is find time to write and keep
writing. Get in contact with Writers Digest, a writers guild, critique
groups and anyone else who can help and motivate your writing. Second, don’t be afraid to submit your work to contests, publishers, agents and
magazines. Don’t be afraid of rejection. It can hurt reading those letters, but it can help with
becoming a better too. The best help I ever received was for my mistakes to be
pointed out to me so I could stop making them. Finally, never give up! Less
than 7% of people make their dreams come true because they let obstacles
stop them. It doesn’t matter how long it takes, it only matters you
keep trying.
VS: Great words of advice for all writers seeking publication. What do you think are the basic ingredients of a good book?
Traci: The
basic ingredients are first a really good hook. If you can convince your
reader they want to read the story within the first page, you have them.
Second, great characters. Vibrant, emotional, heroic and flawed. They must
have all the characteristics of real people: heroic but troubled, brave
but broken, and selfish and sinister. You need an exciting, fast moving story
with some drama, mystery, danger and of course…some really good romance.
VS: All very true and for those who don't write romance, guess what? You still need a little in your books to make the story like real life. You talked about characters being part of the basic ingredients of a good book. you even gave some examples of how to make them life like. What else is required for a character to be believable? How do you create
yours?
Traci: In order for a character to be
believable, they must have layers. We must peel back those layers as we
come to know them whether we like them, hate them or feel sorry for them. We need to see their flaws, courage, goodness and grief. I create my
characters with backgrounds, histories, lives and pasts. I interview my
characters and ask them about these lives and it helps me know who I am
writing.
VS: I love this explanation because I think sometimes writers forget every character has a past even if the reader never sees or reads about it. Being a parent, what do you feel as parents we need to do to help our children see success?
Traci: I think we need to encourage them toward it, but also push them to be more
than they think they can be. Work, discipline, sacrifice and rewards for
being willing to put forth the effort. Mostly we set the example by
working toward success without giving up or backing down. When our
children see success, they believe it is achievable.
VS: Powerful words and words of wisdom I know you live by. Have you received any awards for your writing?
Traci: I have received some
minor awards at the beginning of my career and I have short stories
entered in a competition currently. I actually learn more from the
contests I don’t win though because when I get good feedback, I know how to do better. I
will take the awards though because it’s nice to know your writing is
appreciated.
VS: Traci, where can the readers of
The Writing Mama find out more about and your writing?
Traci: You can come visit
me and see samples of my writing as well as the cover and the trailer to Killing Casanova on my blog at tracimcdonald.blogspot.com
You can also follow me on twitter
tracimcauthor or find me on Facebook traci.mcdonald
VS: Is there anything else you
would like to share with us about being a “Writing Mama or Dad”?
Traci: The best
things I do with my day are being a mom to my kids and writing. I love and
adore my family, and writing would not be worth it without them. Likewise,
I live to write and the support of my family in this dream has made all
the work worthwhile.
VS: It has been fun having you on my blog today Traci and I know we can expect some more wonderful books from you in the future. Take care my dear friend.
The World of Ink Network will be
touring author Traci McDonald’s debut romantic suspense, Killing Casanova throughout October and
November 2012.
Sometimes not only your heart is blind, which happens to be
situation with Cassie Taylor, the heroine in this non-stop suspenseful romantic
thriller.
Publisher: Crimson Romance
ISBN Number: 978-1440552427
ISBN 10: 1440552428
ASIN: B008DVPAW6
(eBook)
Publication Date: July 2012
Genre: Mainstream Romance/Suspense
Get a sneak peek of the book at http://youtu.be/SuE_kpSHock
You can find out more about Traci McDonald and her debut
romance novel during her World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/8nejedq
To learn more about the World of Ink Tours visit http://worldofinknetwork.com
A very inspiring story. Thank you Virgini and Traci for sharing it. Traci, your book sounds so intriguing. My best friend is a romance junkie, I know what I'm getting her for Christmas, but early enough that I can read it first.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Traci! And thanks, Virginia, for sharing, too :)
ReplyDelete