MIRIAM NEWMAN
Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing our CHRW Author of the month, Miriam Newman. Welcome Miriam! Please start off by telling us about yourself. Where you were born, where you are now?
I was born in Bryn Mawr, PA, a Philadelphia suburb. Although I have lived elsewhere at times, I returned to Pennsylvania where I now live in Elverson, 50 miles northwest of the city. It is still pretty rural and I have a small farm for my collection of rescue animals.
2. Is there anything about your life that would surprise most people?
Probably the fact that my mother, a gifted and brilliant woman, suffered from bipolar disorder and alcoholism. It spurred my interest in psychiatric social services, in which I worked for eighteen years.
3. Please tell us a about the stories you write.
They range from whimsical contemporary fantasy romance to more intense fantasy historicals with an epic quality. Recently, I wrote a futuristic romance, and then a science fiction short story which will be released in an ebook anthology in November, 2009.
4. What are some of the ups and downs you have encountered on this journey to becoming published?
For twenty-five years I published poetry because, frankly, it took less time to write. With a husband, five stepchildren and a 24/7 job, time was at a premium. And while my husband fought a 4 ½ year battle with leukemia, time really didn’t exist for me. After his death, I spent a portion of three years in Ireland, where I wrote my first two books. Then it was back to the States, to another four years of over 100 rejections. Finally, shortly after joining RWA, I located DCL Publications, a wonderful epub which “gets” me and gives me the freedom to write outside the box.
5. What do you think is the key to a memorable romantic story?
The characters, first and foremost. If they do not ring true and have a powerful, passionate love, nothing else will make up for that.
6. Where do you get your story ideas?
They pop into my head full-blown, whether or not I am ready for them.
7. Which of your books has been your most favorite to write?
The King’s Daughter, the book of my heart.
8. Which character have you had the most fun creating?
Tia, my heroine in The King’s Daughter. She is such a paradoxical creature.
9. Which character have you had the hardest time creating?
Caln, my hero in Spirit Awakened. He was supposed to be mysterious and, boy, was he! For a while, even I couldn’t figure out who he was.
10. How many hours a week do you spend writing?
I work two jobs of necessity, so unfortunately the answer to that would have to be “never enough.”
11. What challenges do you face in your writing endeavors?
You would think living alone would give me an advantage, but I am beset by constant interruptions. The phone, the FAX, the emails, the IM, the barking and meowing and whinnying animals that want to be fed, let in, let out, let back in…aargh! I am a very intense writer and have been known to emit bloodcurdling screams.
12. What goals do you have regarding your writing?
To have time to do more of it, to go into print and to explore more genres.
13. If you were to write an Anthology, who would you choose to team up with?
I already did! I organized the Season of Love anthology to be released by DCL this Christmas. My partners are Kate Hofman, who writes contemporary romance…Bill Haworth, a fiction author from Britain…and Susan Blexrud, a paranormal author who writes vampires who are hilarious and touching.
14. What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Take the phone off the hook, unplug the FAX, go invisible and keep writing. Oh, and put a sign on your office door: “Enter at Your Own Risk.” And mean it!
Thanks for taking the time from your busy day, Miriam and good luck with your career plans.