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Shannon MacLeod Interview 8/3/2013 5:05:09 PM
Author of paranormal romance, Shannon MacLeo, discusses her latest series, the writing life and what the writing future holds in store for her! If you enjoy paranormal romance and sexy Celts, today’s featured author combines both to create just the novels you’ve been looking for! I’d like to introduce you to Shannon MacLeod, author of The Celtic Knot: Suit of Cups. I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Shannon. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
SM: I love to read, of course, cooking when I’m inspired, hitting thrift and second hand stores, and movies (animated or epic fantasy, no chick flicks – I’d rather watch stuff blow up than sit through rampant mushiness). There’s also a wonderful little oceanfront honky tonk nearby that I’m seen in on occasion.
You now have several novels to your credit now. Can you tell us when your fiction writing career began? Was becoming a published author a lifelong dream?
SM: I’ve always written but never had the confidence to submit up until a few years ago. I began by letting a select few friends read what I had written and they were unanimous in the opinion that I should find a publisher. Being published is still very surreal to me;I don’t think the amazement and excitement will ever wear off.
I had a chance to read an excerpt from your debut novel, The Celtic Knot: Suit of Cups, so I can understand why it’s been receiving some great reviews. What was the inspiration behind this story and can you tell us a little bit about your protagonist, Lily?
SM: I got the idea for the Arcana Love series after reading a bestseller paranormal romance – the blurb mentioned tarot and I was intrigued. I got roughly a third of the way through before realizing that the author had no clue whatsoever about the subject. The lack of research in such a critical plot element really ruined it for me; I didn’t even finish the book. I began the whole “if I were to write a story” line of thinking, and so the series was born. My heroine Lily is an only child with doting parents who perhaps sheltered her a little too much. As the story begins, she’s shy and unsure of herself but matures into a strong woman, fierce in her convictions. It’s a wonderful character arc.
Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open The Celtic Knot: Suit of Cups?
SM: Let’s just say mischief, magic and mayhem – a little bit of mystery, a dash of danger, more than just a few laugh out loud moments and a whole lot of steamy romance. I love Ian and Lily…and just wait until you meet the rest of the family!
I get the sense you know more about Tarot cards than having just a passing interest, am I correct?
SM: Absolutely – I’ve been interested in the Tarot as long as I can remember. I did readings for years, kept piles of notes and composition books. About ten years ago I started trying to organize all my notes into one big document. It took over three years to get it all on paper and in some semblence of managable order. Once I realized what I had, I thought maybe others would be interested in having that much information in one place and voila – the ShadowFox Tarot book was born. The finished product ended up at 224 pages and included my collection of notes on Tarot, Astrology, Rune, herbs, colors and dozens of other metaphysical subjects.
That is absolutely amazing! Now, we both know the road to publication is difficult at the best of times. Was it difficult for you to land an agent? Do you have any advice you’d like to share with the author struggling to find representation?
SM: I went through the Writer’s Market agent section and sent emails and letters to literary agents for years. The results were frustrating to say the least. Some agents wouldn’t even consider me with less than three or more published titles; others sent me letters stating they didn’t feel my product was right for their agency without reading even a sample of my work. I’m happy to say perseverance paid off – my agent and I found each other this past summer.
Can you share that moment when you found out you sold your story to Lyrical Press?
SM: I was on the landline with a client who had put me on hold while looking for receipts in their desk. My cell phone was on vibrate, so when it went off signaling I had an email I took a peek. I read the congratulatory email then read it again. It took three readings before it made sense. I put my hand over my mouth to keep from squealing like a girl, but couldn’t keep from jumping up and down. I had been told by more than one person that to get published the first time without an agent was like a lightning strike. To do it again in a totally different genre would be like getting struck twice (i.e. – never gonna happen). I’m living proof it can and does happen.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
SM: Don’t quit. EVER. It’s easier to start believing the rejection letters and the “friends” who tell you that maybe you’re just not cut out to be a writer than it is to keep plugging away at creating. You have to believe in yourself, even when (and especially when) it seems no one else does.
Plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
SM: Both! The Celtic Knot: Suit of Cups was meticulously outlined in longhand and red ink (because I thought it was romantic). Rogue on the Rollaway came as one long stream; I just started typing and all of a sudden almost 90k words appeared. On The Gypsy Ribbon: Suit of Wands I did a very basic outline, but the story took an unexpected direction midstream. So – I’m now working The French Twist: Suit of Swords and I’m trying out a new system I’ve developed. I got a pack of colored index cards, wrote out scenes or things I wanted to include on each one then put them in order. So far it’s working well and a little more flexible than a hard outline. I use a color system – pink for heroine POV, blue for hero POV, yellow for comedic scenes, green for sensual ones, purple for conflict and white for transitional/exposition scenes. At a glance, I can see how the story will flow and what needs to be adjusted to keep it moving.
Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
SM: I tidy the house first – it gives me a few minutes to organize my thoughts before I sit down. There must be some sort of caffeinated beverage within arms reach because the minute I sit down, a cat will appear out of nowhere to curl up on my lap. I find I write better – and longer – with a cat keeping me firmly rooted in one spot.
Nice strategy! At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
SM: My absolute favorite block breaker is to run on the treadmill. I have a rainstorm app on my phone; I just turn it on and run. It’s cleansing to not think and just *be* for a while. Thirty minutes of that and I feel like I’ve had a week’s vacation. Plan B is to clean – the more physical, the better. The last plot hole dilemma had me reorganizing my closet and vaccuming the stairs.
Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
SM: It’s hard to pick just one favorite, but I’d have to say Diana Gabaldon. Her Outlander series has had a profound impact on the way I build characters, especially how to give good characters imperfections and still make them loveable. One of the recent reviews for The Celtic Knot: Suit of Cups referred to it as “Diana Gabaldon lite” – I nearly swooned with delight at the comparison! I’m also a big fan of Virginia Henley, Karen Marie Moning and G.A. Aiken/Shelly Laurenston.
What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out from paranormal romance into other genres? Can your fans expect a sequel to The Celtic Knot: Suit of Cups in the near future?
SM: Rogue on the Rollaway will be released October 1, 2013. The sequel to The Celtic Knot: Suit of Cups is entitled The Gypsy Ribbon: Suit of Wands and will be out (crossing fingers) December 2013. There’s a new Tarot book coming in Spring 2014. As to my future…well, after my current project The French Twist: Suit of Swords is complete I have rough outlines for three more romances, two psychological thrillers, one horror novel, yet another Tarot project and a really strange children’s book ready and waiting. I’m also working with a high profile defense attorney to collaborate on a James Patterson/John Grisham type novel using actual case files. So yeah…there’s gonna be some genre-jumping going on…and a whole lot of writing.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share in your writing, Shannon! Catch you on Twitter! For more information about Shannon and her novels, check out:
Website: http://www.shannonmacleod.com/ Follow Shannon on Twitter: .themacleod
Where to buy the book: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes
