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The
Vickie McDonough File:
Vickie McDonough Interview
by C.J. Darlington
"I want my stories to take people away from the troubles of their lives and let them see that no matter what they’ve done or may be going through, God loves them and wants to help them." -- Vickie McDonough
Award-winning author Vickie McDonough believes God is the ultimate designer
of romance. She loves writing stories where the characters find their
true love and grow in their faith. Vickie has had 18 books published.
She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, and
is currently serving as ACFW treasurer. Vickie has also been a book
reviewer for nine years. She is a wife of thirty-five years, mother
of four sons, and grandmother to a feisty four-year-old girl. When
not writing, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling. Visit
Vickie’s website at www.vickiemcdonough.com.
Were books a big part of your life growing up?
Yes. I was an avid
reader.
What books would you say influenced you most as a child?
I read every book with a horse on the front. :) I also enjoyed Nancy
Drew books. I don’t know that any one book had a huge influence
on me, but they did spur on my love of reading which carried into
adulthood. Also, all those horse books fueled my desire to own my
own horse. I’m a little ashamed to say I nagged my parents until
they gave in and bought me one. I was a city gal, but we lived right
on the edge of town, so I was able to board my horse just two blocks
from home. I’m so grateful now for those experiences with horses.
I believe they make my books more authentic.
If I had to pick a book that influenced me the most, it would be one I read as an adult. I had just discovered Christian fiction and was reading Janette Oke’s A Gown of Spanish Lace. I got to a place in the book where something vital is revealed, and even though I read it years ago, I can still remember my reaction. I was shouting “NO!” in my head and wanted to throw the book against the wall. I didn’t even want to finish it at that point, but I’m so glad I did. A strong emotional reaction is what I hope my readers will experience as they read my books.
I’m intrigued
to learn that you were a math lover in school, hated English, but became
a writer anyway. How did God lead you down that path?
I devoured Christian fiction once I discovered it. As the mom of four young
boys, reading was my “me” time. It’s true that I never
once thought about being a writer before I started writing. I had prayed
for years for a home business that I could do and still be home with my
boys. I never dreamed that “business” could be writing. I didn’t
like writing way back in school, but I’ve always been creative. I’ve
always daydreamed and let my mind take me off on tangents. I guess I was
making up stories back then and not even realizing it.
One day a story started
running through my mind and wouldn’t leave
me alone. It got to where I was only getting about five hours of sleep
a night, and that just doesn’t work when you have a bunch of boys
to outsmart each day. I finally decided to write down the story in hopes
it would go away and leave me alone. Well, I finished that book, and right
on its heals came another idea. I wrote that one down too, and then I got
to wondering if God was trying to get my attention. I talked about it and
prayed with my husband, and he encouraged me to “go for it.” I
just jumped in with both feet and started learning the craft of writing
any way I could—online classes, writing courses at my local community
college, attending writers’ conferences, and reading books on writing.
It’s
been an amazing journey!
Do you think your heart changed or did you always harbor a love of the
written word?
I have always loved a good story, but I’ve come to
appreciate words and the power they have. I haven’t really thought
about it before, but yes, I think God changed my heart where writing
is concerned.
What do you love most about writing and reading historical novels?
I’ve always loved horses, and cowboys were
a close second. I grew up in the ‘60s, watching Bonanza, The
Big Valley, My Friend Flicka—all those westerns of that period. I guess
that love transitioned into reading. Historicals take you back to a time
when life was slower, less complicated, and values more important. I love
seeing America during the days the frontier was developed. Life was difficult
and the people were tougher than us. And you have to admit, there’s
just something yummy about a tall, tanned cowboy on a horse.
Some authors
feel they have to obtain a degree in English to be a “real” writer.
But you don’t have a degree (I don’t either) and seem to be
doing just fine! If someone were to ask you how to prepare themselves for
being a writer, what would you say?
You’re right, I don’t have
a degree. I became a mom instead of finishing college.
The cool thing about writing is that it’s a craft that can be learned. There are tons of books on writing. I own a bunch of them, but I learn better in a classroom setting, which is why I like taking writing courses and attending conferences. All of these things can help a person learn writing techniques, but you have to sit down and write to really grasp it and to put what you’ve learned into action. The best way to become a writer is to study the craft, read as much as you can, especially in the genre you plan to write, and then write! Write! Write!!!
You have written 20+ books but only recently had your first long novel,
The Anonymous Bride, published. Did you find it more challenging or easier
to write a longer book?
Definitely more challenging. Why or why not? Because
it was lots longer! I started out writing 20,000 word novellas, then moved
into the Heartsong Presents book club line, which are 45-50,000 words long.
The Anonymous Bride was 102,000 words.
A writer has to carry the conflict
much longer than in a trade fiction novel than in a short book. I admire
those authors who can write a long
book and just use the hero’s and heroine’s point of view. I
couldn’t do that. I had to have several other characters’ pov.
With a longer book, you often have a subplot that is somehow tied in with
your main plotline. Think of a shorter book as a simple 3-strand braid
and a longer book as a fancy French-braid hair-do. I hope that analogy
works. Since I raised boys, I really don’t know all that much about
fixing hair.
Let’s talk more about The Anonymous Bride. What was the first spark
of inspiration for this story and how did it develop over time?
I was trying
to think up a new book idea and this question came to me: “What if
a mail-order bride arrived in town expecting to marry the marshal, but
he hadn’t
ordered a bride?” Then I took it a step further: “What if 3
mail-order brides arrived expecting to marry the same poor, unsuspecting
man?”
I wondered how something like that could happen, and if it did, how would he deal with the situation? Then I was brainstorming with my local critique group, and one gal said, “What if they have a contest to see which gal would make the best wife?”
And voila! That’s
how
The Anonymous Bride was birthed.
Most writers perform a lot of
research before ever writing their novels. Was that true for this book?
Actually, I didn’t have to research
this book too much. I’ve been to Texas many times and know a lot
about the state. I made up my town, so the main research I did for it was
to decide where to locate my fictional town. I did research Texas lawmen.
Originally, my hero was a sheriff, but then I discovered that during my
book’s time period, he would have been a town marshal. I also did
some research on mail-order brides, but the bulk of my research for this
book had to do with the setting.
Of all your
characters, who’s your favorite, and why?
Oh, that’s
hard. It’s like asking which of your children is your favorite. But
I have to say I love Luke. He was such a hurting hero and yet he couldn’t
help being noble and taking Jack under his wing. But, I do think Jack is
my favorite. She’s a little fireball, but inside was hurting and
didn’t know how to deal with it. Her antics continue in Second
Chance Brides, which is the sequel. In the last book in the series, Finally
A Bride, readers will get to see her as a young woman. Have no fear, she
hasn’t changed a whole lot and still gets into predicaments.
What is the
most unusual experience you’ve ever had as a writer?
I’ve had sooo many wonderful experiences as a writer. It’s
weird that people think you’re something special when you’re
a published writer. For a time, my husband would introduce me to people
as “My wife, Vickie. She’s an author.” I told him to
stop that. I said, “I don’t introduce you as Robert, the software
developer.” :)
But that is true. I remember meeting Tracie Peterson for the first time at an ACFW conference. I couldn't stop shaking. In fact, I saw her at four different conferences before I could be near her and not quiver. I don’t know why—except that I’d read most of her books and to me she was a celebrity. Tracie later became my editor at Heartsong for a time.
Oh, and here’s an odd thing that happened. On my way home from a writer’s conference, I met Famous Amos—the guy who makes those good cookies. He was dressed up in clothes that had watermelons all over them. He had watermelon shoes, hat, even his travel bag had watermelons. He was a really nice guy. Friendly and talkative, but I kept wondering why watermelons and not cookies.
It’s exciting to hear you’re
coming out with a new series soon set in historical South Carolina.
What inspired you to move away from
the West and into the East?
My editor asked me to submit a proposal on
a South Carolina series. I really didn’t want to at first. I’d
never been there, plus it was about as far not west as you could go in
America, but I didn’t want to say no to her. Then as I was researching,
I discovered some things that tickled my fancy and snagged my interest.
My husband and I took a research trip to Charleston last fall, and I loved
it. That town is so rich in history. We saw buildings and houses that had
been built in the 1700s and still looked fabulous. It was rather mind-boggling
to an Oklahoman whose state just celebrated its centennial in 2007.
As a lover
of historical westerns, I wonder if you’re a fan of Louis
L’Amour. True? If so, what was your favorite book he wrote?
Would
you believe I’ve never read one of his books? I’ve meant to—I
even own a couple—but there are so many great Christian historicals
now that I stay busy reading them.
What would
you love to write someday but haven’t yet?
I have ideas
for two new series. One is about Civil War widows who leave the south
and travel west. The other is about a partially handicapped young woman
who wants to prove to herself and her family that she can be independent.
Your faith is the reason why
you write. Do you usually have the faith element of a story determined
ahead of time or is it something that more
often comes out of the setting or characters?
Sometimes I know it ahead
of time. I knew in The Anonymous Bride that forgiveness would
play a major part in the story, but what I didn’t know was why Rachel
up and married James when she was in love with Luke and engaged to him.
That came as quite
a surprise. I also didn’t know that Jack was going to be such a toot.
She just didn’t want to conform herself into a proper young lady.
As I stated previously, reading
Christian fiction was an escape for me when I was raising my kids. Now
it’s an enjoyment and entertainment.
I want my stories to take people away from the troubles of their lives
and let them see that no matter what they’ve done or may be going
through, God loves them and wants to help them. Some of my stories have
a deep faith message, while others are lighter and more entertaining. My
goal is to give a reader an exciting story that entertains and encourages
them in their faith walk.
As one of our
faithful, prolific book reviewers here at TitleTrakk.com, I’m
curious---how has writing reviews helped you in your own writing?
I started writing book reviews 9 years ago to get writing credits for my
resume when I was a newbie. I look back now and believe it was a God thing.
I’ve read hundreds, if not thousands, of books over the last decade
and reviewed many of them. I learned how to write succinctly and summarize
the story in a few paragraphs, which has helped immensely in writing synopses.
I’ve learned how to write from reading other writers and seeing how
they wrote their stories. I’ve also gotten to know quite a few writers
from reviewing their books.
Anything else
you’d like
to share with TitleTrakk.com readers?
I so appreciate TitleTrakk.com
and your dedication to promoting Christian
books, music, and movies. The quality of your site is number one in my
book.
I’d like to encourage your readers to keep an eye out for a new blog called “Ask A Christian Fiction Author.” It will be a site for readers and authors to connect. I’m hoping to get questions from readers about their favorite authors or about one of their books or maybe even something as personal as what they usually eat for breakfast. My goal is to have it up and running by July 1st. I do have an August deadline, so that may get pushed back. If you have a question you’ve always wanted to ask your favorite author, please email me at fictionfan1@cox.net and I’ll see if I can get it answered. There’s no guarantee, though, and please no super personal questions.
Who is Vickie McDonough?
I was
born and lived all of my life (except for one year) in Oklahoma. I’ve been married thirty-four years to a wonderful
man, we have four grown sons, a daughter-in-law, and a four-year-old granddaughter—yes!
We got a girl finally. Besides reading and writing, I love traveling. I
also enjoy board games, gardening, watching movies and my favorite TV shows.
What are two things people might
be surprised to know about you?
I bought a motorcycle when I was 14,
and I lived on a kibbutz in Israel for a year.
(Someone will probably ask, so I’ll tell you know that a kibbutz
is a community-owned farm)
What’s
your favorite movie and tv show?
There are so many movies: While You Were Sleeping, Everafter,
Zorro (with Antonio Banderas), August
Rush, The Man From Snowy River.
TV shows – Chuck, NCIS, Castle, Fringe, oh, and I’ll admit it, I’m an American Idol fan. I even won a trip to last year’s finale!
Three things always found in your refrigerator:
It used to be Coke, but
in my drastic effort to lose weight I quit drinking pop at the end of last
year. How about butter, Miracle Whip lite, and bottles of water.
You’re
next in line at Starbucks. What are you ordering?
Ah, I got
you on this one. I don’t drink coffee. I’m not even sure I’ve
ever been in a Starbucks. I just drink water now and an occasional Crystal
lite.
What’s left unchecked in your “goals for life” list?
I want to travel to all 50 states. I’ve been to 35 so far. I need
to go up east and further west. I would also love to see one of my books
made into a movie.
When was the last time you cried?
Oh, phooey. I almost never cry, but I actually had a good one yesterday.
I won’t go into the details,
but suffice it to say that one of my boys and I had a doozey of a “discussion.”
Three words that best describe you:
Organized, tenacious, funny
What’s
currently in your CD player/iPod?
I don’t
listen to music when I write. I need total quiet to think. I enjoy listening
to movie
soundtracks in the car though. The Last of the Mohicans is one of my favorites,
as is The Man From Snowy River. I have an assortment of Christian musicians,
also. At Christmastime, one of my favorites is Mannheim Steamroller. On
my Ipod, I have a few American Idol songs, but mostly I have the past few
years of ACFW conferences on it.
C.J.
Darlington's
first
novel, Thicker Than Blood, was the winner of the 2008 Christian
Writers Guild's Operation
First Novel contest. Her second novel, Bound by Guilt, has recently
released
from Tyndale,
and
you
can watch
that trailer today! When
she's not writing, she's reading. Her hobbies include horseback riding, oil painting,
and book collecting.
She is also a contributing editor at Family
Fiction Magazine. Visit her online
at her
author website and at her
blog where she talks about books, writing, and publishing. You can also look
her
up
at
Twitter and Facebook.
