Interview with Multi-Genre Author Kim McDougall - Page 4

My muse used to frighten me. I let her rule my work schedule. If she didn't feel like writing, I wouldn't write. Since I started writing full-time, I've learned that it's a job, like any other. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes not. To break my muse's hold on me, I created my "9am Disciplinary Hour." I put a bunch of writing prompts in a jar. They were anything from plot ideas, to character descriptions to dialogue prompts. As soon as my daughter was off to school, while I was still fresh, I wrote 500 words on a topic that I pulled out of the jar. Not only did I end up with quite a portfolio of rough stories, but I learned to rule my muse.

Now I write on my time. It helps to have several projects on the go. That way, if one is not happening, I can move on to another. Also, the business end of writing takes up a lot of time. Some days, I'm just too exhausted or uninspired to write, but I still work at one of the dozens of other aspects of my job like, newsletters, websites, critiquing etc.

From the moment you conceived the idea for the story, to the published book, how long did it take?

Rainbow Sheep took about two and a half years from that first rainy night when I lulled my daughter to sleep with the story of a sad rainbow, to holding my first copy in my hands. As I mentioned, I put it away for several months before revising it. About the same time, I made my first needle-felted pictures. I had no idea if any publisher would be interested in such a thing. And because each frame took about 8 hours to complete, I made only three to begin with. Then I started the long process of trying to find a publisher. Luckily, I met Lynda Burch, from Guardian Angel publishing at the Muse online conference in October of 2007. She was interested in not only in the story, but in the art as well, I quickly got busy making another seven frames! By the end of November, I had completed the artwork. Then I suggested to Lynda that we include the Fiber Art activities. So, my job wasn't really done until January. The book was released in May 2008.

Describe your working environment.

I am lucky enough to have my own office at home. I usually have a cat draped across my lap as I type and a dog snoring loudly on the floor at my feet. I recently bought a laptop so I can work anywhere, but I prefer my office. I keep it quite cold in there, to stay awake through my sleepy time (2 to 4pm). I also have all my reference books handy.

Article Author: Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani is the National Latino Books Examiner for Examiner.com.

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