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Back to Featured Interviews >> MEET MAUREEN McGRATH (10/2010)
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| Maureen McGrath |
Write poetry about God and love and pretend I was an actress.
What books influenced you most when you were growing up?
THE GIVING TREE by Shel Silverstein, and the Nancy Drew series.
Did you write stories when you were growing up?
I always wrote a lot and drew a character when I was six that is now in my published children's book.
When you were a child did you ever have moments when you decided that you were going to be a writer when you grew up?
Yes, I always loved the idea of sitting at a desk and putting pen to paper and bringing my thoughts to life!
What audience did you have in mind for your career as a writer - adults or children?
Mainly children but now as I have had life experiences I have a longing to write for adults also.
When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing career?(or a career in illustrating? or just art in general?)
No, I got married young and put college on hold. I was originally an Art major. Now I am in my last year of college as a Journalism major.
If you didn’t write as a child, then when did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
I have always written even as a child.
What was your first job when you graduated from college?
I am still in school and will complete my degree in 2011.
How soon after that was your first book published?
My first book, SPUNKY'S SPECIAL FRIEND, was published in 2008.
Was your first book accepted immediately? or did you experience a number of rejections?
It took me ten years to get published. Lots of rejections. But I feel like rejections are learning experiences to get you to being published.
What are the topics are some of your books?
Angel experiences, friendship and acceptance.
Do you focus on fiction or nonfiction? Which do you prefer? Do you find one easier than the other?
I enjoy both fiction and nonficton. True stories are easier to write for me because they come from my heart.
Do you do other types of writing - for example, educational, nonfiction, magazine work?
Poetry and some article writing for magazines
What kinds of things inspire you to write?
Extreme pain and sadness helps me write. It conjures up so many feelings that I want to express on paper
Where do you get your ideas?
From my own experiences.
What gave you the idea for-SPUNKY'S SPECIAL FRIEND?
I have drawn the characters of Spunky and Sarah since age six. When I went to my 10th high school reunion, a classmate asked me, "Whatever happened to the character you always drew on your peechee folder." It was then that I pursued the dream and knew it was special!!
What really triggers your imagination?
My emotions. I am a highly sensitive and emotional person. Some people call me a conduit. People tell me everything and know they can trust me.
Have any of your books earned special recognition?
My poetry won "The Golden Poet Award" in 1989 through World Of Poetry.
How did your life change when you got married? and had children? Did it make it easier or harder to find time to write?
I always have made time to write. My poem "Memory" was recognized as a tribute to my late mother. I have always loved to write. When I was married I took a correspondence class on writing through the Institute of Children's Literature.
Have any of your fiction stories been about real people or events?
Yes. absolutely.
If some of your fiction stories are factual, do you write about people that you have been interested in for a long time, perhaps since childhood?
Mainly spiritual experiences that I have had all my life.
Do you enjoy researching or do you prefer working totally from your imagination?
Both, but it's more fun to let your imagination soar!!
Do you work on more than one book at a time?
I try to focus on one at a time.
What other jobs you had before you became a writer/illustrator?
I have worked in many art galleries and I am a caregiver. I feel that the elderly and children are the most honest!
Which of your books did you most enjoy writing?
My book that is entitled A WALK WITH ANGELS because it basically my life story interwoven with my spiritual experiences.
What are you working on now? When do you expect to start submitting it to publishers?
THE TALE OF THE CAT WITH THE CROOKED TALE. I will be submitting it very soon.
Do you write every day and do you have set hours that you work?
I don't have set hours but keep a notebook so whenever a thought comes to mind I can write it down.
When is your next book going to be in book stores?
I don't have an exact date yet but anticipate next year sometime.
Do you like to include humor in your stories? Or adventure? Or mystery?
I feel that humor is something that is inside me. It is necessary in the world we live in today.
When you do school visits, what question do children ask you most?
The most asked question is where my idea for Spunky the puppy came from?
What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?
To feel better about being different and to walk away with a good moral message.
Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?
One lady that I met at a swap meet wrote me on my website www.spunkyshome.com and said to keep us the good work and that I inspired her because I chased my dream.
Is there anything about yourself that you’d like to share?
Like I said, I have written extensive poetry and been published. If you go onto Poetry.com and put in Maureen J. Mcgrath you can read some of my poetry. I play the guitar and love to sing too!!