My Interview by Owner/Founder/Poet/Author George Cook was THE featured interbview for the weel of July 17,2005.

LTH-- Tell us a little about yourself, feel free to plug any previous books here .

VALERIE--“Valerie CJ McGee lived in four of NYC's boroughs. She and her daughter can Finger Spell though neither is sight or hearing impaired. Valerie hopes to proficiently learn American Sign Language and is studying Braille, Her time is devoted to her son and daughter. For fun she enjoys various types of music, dance, theatre, books, movies, museums, kites and swings. Valerie retired after a combined 37 years with the military and Civil Service. Writing since 1968 due to the influence of Mr. James C Morris who was the head of the English Department at Junior High School 59 (Queens).

Valerie originally wrote her debut novel INSIGHT at the age of 15. The pre-quel to INSIGHT, she wrote at age 17. Presently she is finishing her next book which was inspired by a lengthy discussion with her son. In addition to new writing projects, Valerie hopes to complete and publish all 36 of the books she wrote from the age of 15 - 21. In addition to her family, the youth of today and writing she intends to enjoy life. I am currently working on my next book. The first of an 8 book series for young adult readers

I'm the mother of a 20 year old son and 9 year old daughter. A Desert Storm Vet., who served my country, state and city, from 1974 until 2001. I love music, dance, art and well told stories. So long as I'm not cold I love the outdoors. I feel things deeply.

LTH-- What inspired you to start writing?

I've always been an avid reader. Growing up I had the annoying habit of noticing things in movies, books and on television that should have been edited out so I would spend hours rewriting the story in my mind. My life was full of more than what I thought was a normal amount of drama. Then in Junior High School the head of the English Department, Mr. James C. Morris, consistently gave me separate assignments to write. He had me write plays, stories, poems. It became a way to release. He told me he had many books published and that the good thing about writing a really good book was it would still be enjoyed long after my body was dust.

LTH--. What is the title of your book?

VALERIE--The title of my debut novel is INSIGHT. Though I completely loved the classes I took at The New School University, the one thing I just couldn't agree with my instructor on, was that I did not know what my title , first sentence, and last were when I started. In fact, I had a different “working title” since I originally wrote INSIGHT at age 15. Other than that, I learned a lot from author Lou Willet Stanek, Ph.D. The book sort of “told me” what the title was. The word insight appears three times in the novel, and each time means something different. When I wrote the last line I re titled it from when it was a “work in progress”

LTH-- What is your book about?

VALERIE--Samantha, who is blind, has still been able to see while asleep through the eyes of Rachael. Not until Rachael plunges ten stories does Samantha find out that her alter ego was not a figment of her imagination. Leaving the safety of her home in California she goes to Brooklyn, NY to find out why they were bound. There, she encounters Brian, a detective who has continued to investigate Rachael’s case after it is officially closed. Together they discover answers to questions they never knew to ask and must confront the haunted man who set off the road to INSIGHT.

LTH-- Where is your book available?

VALERIE--INSIGHT is available at all quality booksellers. If it is not at your local bookstore you can request that they order it. INSIGHT is available in quite a few other countries. Some, off the top of my head, are the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, France, Germany and China.

LTH-- Do you have a web site and what is its address?

VALERIE--I have two web sites and two home pages.

http://hometown.aol.com/authorofinsight/VCJMHhomepage.html

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?id=27652

http://valeriecjmcgee.bravehost.com/

http://hometown.aol.com/__121b_hSttmqx06bevDt/010LcsCP9l+sXO6c/JMTEcuZyJH3orUjcW5h9eQ==

LTH-- Is there anything you would like to say in closing?

VALERIE--First and foremost I want to thank LET'S TALK HONESTLY, most especially Mr. George Cook for allowing me this opportunity. As a self published author it is very difficult unless you have thousands of contacts and several thousands of dollars to use. There have been a few people that have been extremely supportive. By word of mouth my book is doing very well. I hope to eventually be able to simply concentrate on writing I love writing and I hope that my readers genuinely enjoy the books I write as Mr. Morris said “long after I am dust"