Interview with Multi-Genre Author Kim McDougall - Page 5

Do you write non-stop until you have a first draft, or do you edit as you move along?

I try to write to the end before revising. My first novel, Caul, Shroud and Veil took me 12 years to write! Partly because I went for months (or years) at a time without working on it. But I also wrote and rewrote seven drafts before actually completing one. It was a learning experience. Now I know the value of a good outline. I make copious notes for revisions, but try to forge ahead and complete one draft before going back.

They say authors have immensely fragile egos… How would you handle negative criticism or a negative review?

I have enough rejection letters to paper my office. And I think that's how it should be. Taking creative writing in college really helped to thicken my skin. While I had some supportive professors, others were only interested in finding the next Alice Munroe; they weren't impressed by my brand of literary fantasy. In my classes, students critiqued other students' work. This was my first exposure to peer review. It was baptism by fire. There is no harsher critic than a fellow student. It was good experience for me. When it came time to send my stories to editors, I was ready to hear no. I realize that my writing style is not accessible to everyone, but I write what I like to read, and hope there is an audience.

As a writer, what scares you the most?

I worry that I will lose myself in my writing at the expense of my family. My computer has become an extension of me and sometimes I need to remind myself to step away. I've read about authors losing spouses to their writing addiction or alienating children. I don't want to be one of those. To combat this, I make sure that I volunteer and my daughter's school. I help with her softball team. During the summer, my family spends time camping and boating. All these things remind me that writing is only one important part of my life.

When writing, what themes do you feel passionate about?

In my adult fiction, I like dark, psychological fantasy. I explore the reasons why people make the big gestures in life, or why they make the wrong choices that drag them down. Mythology and fairy tales fascinates me. My children's fiction up until now has been all over the board. I write stories that I think children want to read or need to read, even if they might be emotionally draining to write.

Article Author: Mayra Calvani

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

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