The 20 Questions Interview By LaShaunda C.
Hoffman)
I
had the pleasure of interviewing via e-mail, Ms. Gail McFarland. She the
author of SUMMER WIND, THE BEST FOR LAST and this month release, WHEN LOVE
CALLS. I told Gail after reading her interview it was as if I were sitting
right across from her, sharing a cup a coffee. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did, and if you haven't read WHEN LOVE CALLS, what
are you waiting for? A special thank you to Ms. McFarland to taking time out of her schedule to do this interview.
1. What inspired you to
write WHEN LOVE CALLS?
I live in an older part of the city (Atlanta) and
when I first moved here every time it rained for almost a year, my telephone
lines got crossed with someone else's. It made me think, "what if." and
one thing sort of led to another.
As for Destiny and her Sickle Cell
Anemia, I am a fitness trainer and an almost obscenely healthy person. In my
line of work, I've had occasion to become very friendly with several
"obviously" healthy people who have the disease - both the trait and several
different forms of the disease. Initially, the affects of the
disease (especially when you never saw it coming) are stunning: a
perfectly healthy person can dissolve in paroxysms of pain right before
your eyes. I began to wonder what it would take emotionally and
physically to raise a child with the disease, or to grow to adulthood facing
the challenges of SCD and more. I also wondered what it would be like
to
have a "normal" life as a single parent while raising a child with
this disease. And, the more I wondered, the more I wrote.
2. Why did
you choose the city it's set in?
I spent several years in St. Louis,
affectionately known as, "the city of homes", and have a very deep affection
for it. And lovely Atlanta, GA is my current home. What better places could
there be to set a family oriented romance than these two cities where I've
learned to be an adult, and where I've also learned the differences between
like, love, and lust.
3. What message would you like to send to your
readers?
That first last and always we are human, and as humans, we
don't always get it right - the fun and interest are in the trying.
4.
What should a reader expect from a GM romance?
I like to think you'll
always expect to get a good story with a well thought out plot. I also want
to believe that your mind as well as your heart will be challenged by the
characters and situations presented. Research and words have always pleased me
- I'm a reader at heart. I try to be thorough so that I give my readers the
kind of story I would also enjoy. Additionally, I tend toward character and
dialog driven stories, so maybe you'll get more than a touch of humor and a
few memorable lines as well.
5. How would you encourage readers who
have never read a GM book to try
one?
Usually, I beg a lot.
Actually, I would give them a brief synopsis of the story, in the belief that
the premise of the story is strong enough to convince the reader to give it a
try. Ideally, I have written a story that will stand on its own
merits.
6. Do you have a full-time career outside your
writing?
Yes, I do. Though my degree is in psychology with a minor in
Special Education, I've opted to change fields. I am a nationally
certified fitness trainer and aerobics instructor (and living proof that
they're NOT all skinny). My areas of specialization include strength
training and special populations. I currently teach aerobics, personal
train, and manage a federal fitness facility in Atlanta, where I work
with some of the nicest folks around.
7. How do you feel about those
who don't take romance writing serious?
First, I smile. Then, I have to
ask if they've ever REALLY read a romance. My personal experience is that
those who cut romance short shrift have never bothered to read it. I guess
this is where I have to 'fess up. Back in my younger, less informed years, I
assumed romance was a frivolous past time for bon bon eating dilettantes. I
had given my heart to techno-thrillers,
suspense, and contemporary
horror. But, this is where my public school education came into play. I had
a much adored Civics teacher who once said that, "if you ignore a
segment of the population, you can never be a full participant in
your civilization". The older I got, the wiser he got, and now that I
have a few hundred romances under my belt, I have to admit he was right.
My opinion now is that readers who ignore genre fiction are
cheating
themselves. You may have to find a writer whose style appeals to
you, but the skill of crafting the story is no less diminished by
genre.
8. Did you read romance before you began writing it?
Yes.
I had a cousin who would read only if threatened with death, when she
discovered Romance, she was suddenly a voracious reader. You know I had to
find out why! The first one I read was WICKED LOVING
LIES, and I hated it.
It was too frilly and full of frou-frou for me. There were also a couple of
near rape scenes that ticked me off big time. But, my nutty cousin was still
reading romance, so I tried another. I don't recall the title, but it was by
Danielle Steele. A little better, then I discovered Krantz, "and it was off
to the races"! To put it mildly, I was thrilled to discover African-American
romance, and I devoured Eboni Snow, Angela Benson, Shirley Hailstock, and
all the classic ladies of color.
9. What do you like about
African-American Romance Novels?
I like that the bright and articulate
characters are a lot like my friends and me. I enjoy being able to identify
with their habits, backgrounds, educations, and challenges. I especially
like the fact that these romances are well plotted on both the national
and international scene.
10. What was the last good romance you've
read?
OUT OF THE BLUE by Janice Sims. She did a wonderful job of
blending genres and weaving a haunting tale of romantic
possibilities.
11. Do you see yourself ever writing a historical
romance?
I've given it some thought, but I can more easily foresee
myself working on a time-travel romance - one that blends the similarities
and disparities of two eras. My dad was in the Air Force, and I've
always had a fascination with the Tuskegee Airmen and World War II. and,
now that I'm thinking of it, there is a story I'd like to tell.
12.
What about mainstream fiction?
Ultimately, I would like to try some of
what is traditionally thought of as "mainstream" fiction, but so far, my
heart is truly locked into the world of romance.
13. Is being a
romance writer what you thought it would be like?
Yes, in that it is a
thrill to see my words in print - much as I though it would be. In many
ways, though, writing is so much more exciting and fulfilling than I'd ever
dreamed. Remember when you were growing up, and your parents and
grandparents and teachers kept telling you, "someday you're going to use
this", as they drilled and rehearsed your lessons? Well, with publication,
I've begun to feel that THIS is the day they were talking about. Being
published feels like the fulfillment of all my educational endeavors. I
feel tremendously humbled by the people I've met and the letters and emails
I've received. I can't begin to express the pleasure and excitement I feel
just seeing someone reading something I wrote.
14. What was your becoming
a published writer journey like?
An Act of God!
15. If you could
pick one of your books for a movie which one would you
choose, and who would
you cast in it?
Wow, you DO ask the hard ones, don't you? (Big Sigh.)
If you ask me that today, I would have to say my choice would be WHEN LOVE
CALLS. Casting? Hmmm. I gave it some thought, then talked it over with
some of the members in my fitness center - most of them have already read the book.
We agreed that Lynn Whitfield or Jennifer Lewis would be good as
Davida (though there was a splinter vote for Dawnn Lewis - Jalisa from
"A Different World"). Hands down, we agreed that Cuba Gooding, Jr.
was right as Marc. When it comes to Quita, I can see Viveca A. Fox,
along with Mykelti Williams as Glenn (though Eriq LaSalle was a
close second). Patti LaBelle, Pam Grier, and Whoopi Goldberg (all aged a
few years through the magic of cosmetics) would be wonderful as
Davida's mother, mother-in-law, and aunt. There is a little girl (whose name
I don't know) who has appeared on "The Smart Guy", and I think she'd
be wonderful as Destiny. I'm on a roll now, can you tell? I'm thinking
Malcolm Jamal Warner would be fun as Milt, and Nike Clark (a local Atlanta
artist) would make a wonderful Deb - though she's a touch small for the
part. How about LL Cool J as MC Feng Shui ('cause he's so cute)?
16.
What are your favorite sites on the web to visit?
You mean after
"Aspiring African American Romance Writers" and "Romance
In Color"? I enjoy
the "Color of Love", MSBET, Blackwriters.Com,
LaShaunda C. Hoffman, an aspiring romance writer,
is
the forum host for
ASPIRING
AFRICAN-AMERICAN ROMANCE WRITERS, a place for aspiring writers/published writers to meet, chat and share in
the joys of getting published.