May Nicole Abbey
AKA Caroline Gregory
and
Shawnette Nielson
(Sisters)
Welcome and thanks for agreeing and being part of this blog.
I thought it a good idea to catch up with you and see what
you are up to since the last time I reviewed a book for you. The Dreamer is a Time-Travel Historical Romance that I enjoyed immensely.
My review can be read here.
Author’s Interview Questions
1.
Are you famous is the general question I get
when family and friends introduces me to their friends. It always left me with
a pause as quick comebacks filters through my mind but ending up saying something
like ….”Oh gee thanks” and give a shy smile. (a)Does this happen to you and (b)
what do you say?
I’ve never been asked that question! I guess people assume if
they’ve never heard of me, then I can’t be all that famous!
2.
In general do you like to talk about you writing
and published books or are you very close-lip about it? If no why?
This is where my
sister and I differ. I (Caroline) could not be more closed lip about my writing.
I’ve often wondered if I’m embarrassed or too private or what. I think it’s
because it’s such a personal thing for me… I mean, it’s my baby! And I can’t
bear to talk about it casually. I’m the emotional one here. Shawnette, on the
other hand, is very open and talks about it easily. She loves learning what
people think of the book and why. I am in awe of her.
3.
What book/s are you currently writing and what
is it about?
We are so excited about this new book! It is called “The Scholar,”
and it is about a character mentioned in “The Dreamer.” It takes place in
ancient Egypt! We totally fell in love with ancient Egypt as we did our
research. And though the specific characters are fictional, the customs,
clothing and settings are all accurate. Warm and beautiful and sensual, we call
it our golden book.
Terror in the night. Memories from the past, or a link to her future.
In the throes of a thunder storm, dangling from one of the tallest buildings in New York, Serena Metcalfe finds her answer. Crocodile attacks, kidnapping, betrayal and murder, her fall back to 2361 BC Egypt is anything but serene. Seeking the truth of a Pharaoh’s death and the magical stone in his possession, she finds herself with a choice to make: Relentlessly pursue the goal despite the danger, or allow herself to veer off course to be embraced by the golden beauty of the Egyptian land and the longing arms of the King.
Hero or villain, two future kings vie for Serena’s love: the irresistible playboy Shepseskauf, fated for an early death, and his staid yet loyal cousin Pepisenkara. Once the closest of friends, loss, betrayal and jealousy canker their lives and transform them into bitter and eternal enemies. Both have secrets to hide, aspirations to fight for, and untold potential awaiting Serena’s gentle, guiding hand.
4. Why
this particular genre?
We love LOVE. We love romance and characters and healing and truth.
No other genre lends itself to the development of character and love quite like
clean romance does. And we don’t just mean romance as in VA VA VOOM, although
that’s fun, too. But in the historical sense of the word: a story of mystery
and adventure, validating emotion, idealism and aesthetics. Giving voice to the
heart. Too grandiose? Good! That’s romance!!
5. What
inspire or motivate you to write?
The fact is, we HAVE to write. Something beyond ourselves compels
us. We love developing characters, constructing the storyline, creating
subtlety, making the reader want something and then giving it to her. If we
knew we were never going to publish, that our work would never be read by
others, we’d still write. We love it, and we can’t stop.
6.
What is the writing process like for you?
Exquisite torture! Creating the tale, the characters, the adventures
is awesome beyond belief. It is fun! We love to chat about it, our ideas flying
back and forth. Putting pen to paper? Giving birth to the tale word by word? Utter
suffering! Finishing it and passing it on is bitter sweet. We are full of
relief it is over, pleasure that we like it as much as we do, then inundated
with doubts and fears. It is a roller
coaster ride!
7. What
is the best and/ or worst part of being a writer?
Best is creating something beautiful with my sister, something good
(we hope!) that didn’t exist before we came along. Sometimes we feel like
little demigods, creating life from the dust. (Did we mention we can be a
little delusional?) The worst? Refer to question 6. We are nearly bipolar over
here, high on pleasure and pride in our work one minute, then crashing into
almost debilitating self doubt the next. We go from loving our work to hating
it in seconds.
8.
Any advice for struggling writers?
Write, write, write. And
read, read, read. Figure out what you like and why. Have a reason to write.
Have something to say, something to teach, something you believe in. It’s the
only way you can survive the journey of attrition that is the writing world.
All work and no return for perhaps years. But it’s okay. As long as the scenery
is rewarding, it makes it all worth it. The journey IS the destination.
9. What
is your favorite genre to read or write?
Romance, of course! Squeaky clean and full of idealism and unique
characters who learn and grow and heal each other. Men and women complete each
other in divine and meaningful ways. We love exploring that fodder.
Only one?? How about two since there are two of us? Jane Austen is a
given, so we’ll let her remain unspoken. (Haha) Currently mine is Jane Donnelly
(it changes periodically depending on my mood). Shawnette’s is Rebecca Stratton
for the mixture of character development, story telling and intimacy.
11.
Do you have a favorite spot to read and write?
No such luxury. I have four kids under the age of eight and
Shawnette has three kids under the age of six. My favorite place is anywhere I
can actually get it done. I’ve dragged my laptop into every room of my house,
on every surface: tables, couches, floors, beds, footstools. I’ve even typed in
my car. Anywhere I can get it done, no matter how uncomfortable, is my
favorite.
12. What
do you like to do when not writing?
We love to read. And
we talk on the phone religiously about everything: reading, writing, life. If
we miss a day, we go through withdrawals. It’s not pretty.
13. Do
you have a bucket list and would you share at least two things on it?
Yes!! We’ll share twenty: We want
to write at least twenty books together before the fat lady sings!
14.
What have you done so far on this list?
Written two books. Working on number three. Slow and steady wins the
race!
15.
Most daring thing or experience you have done
you would like to share?
Shawnette is the dare devil. Cliff jumping is hers (is it any wonder
Rachel does the same thing in “The Dreamer”). As far as I go, this is probably
it: putting my heart on paper and having people read and judge it.
16. This
or that questions:
·
Coffee or Tea - Neither! We’re Mormons!
·
Sweet or sour – Sweet, sweet, sweet! It’s
romance after all!
·
Home make meal or takeouts – In my dreams? Takeout every
time. Meals taste so much better when I don’t have to cook them!
·
Winter or summer – Summer! Swimming and vacations,
what’s not to like?
·
Night-owl or Early-Bird – Night owl.
·
Telephone or visits – Telephone for us. We actually
talk to each other LESS when we’re visiting each other than when we’re miles
apart talking on the phone.
·
Which social network do you prefer? Facebook
·
Blogger or website? Website!
·
What does your family say about your career?
Supportive or Clueless Clueless… in varying degrees.
Some of them supportive but clueless.
And Finally
Moto/wisdom in life you live by.
Lose your life to save it.
Contact details and buy links of the newest books you would
like the readers to know.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayNicoleAbbey
Twitter:
@maynicoleabbey
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MayNicoleAbbey
Website: www.maynicoleabbey.com
Buy link: Amazon:
Thanks once again for your willingness to share with me and
the readers. I really enjoyed your answers. Laughed at times and could say Hmmm I know what you mean.
Thank you! What a fun interview!
Next time I talk to
J.Jefferey
June 12, 2013
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