SHARON GUNN
Today I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Sharron Gunn. Okay, let's get right into it!
1. How long have you been writing, and have you always wanted to be a writer?
Novels? For about 5 years.
2. What is your writing routine like?
The morning is the best time to start on new creative material. Too sleepy to procrastinate. Once I am well-established into a project, I can work on into the wee hours.
3. Do you have a web site or Blog?
I will be writing under the pseudonym of Sheila Currie and have reserved the domain name. Should be up and running in the New Year. I'll put snippets from my novel as well as historical research on my new website. I have a program for mac computers (I do love my mac!) which
was easy to learn. I like the idea of being able to control what goes on the site and make changes quickly, and the company offers help at very reasonable rates. I am the web mistress for my local chapter with the same program.
4. What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?
I belong to a four-part Gaelic choir where I live and we sing mostly in Gaelic except for January when we learn Scottish songs in English for Burns Suppers. We are performing at four of them this year. Great fun! Ever heard women sing above pipes? Beautiful. The harmony of Gaelic music is wonderful. My best buddy at choir is also a kilt maker and she made a short kilt and a long kilt for me this year. So I look all right. In July a few of our members will go to a music festival called Ceòlas in Scotland. A week of Gaelic music. Grrreat. Smashing! Then some of us will go to the Gaelic college on Skye (SMO) for courses on music or Gaelic language and culture. I plan to 'hire' a car for a week after that and go on a tour and take lots of pictures for my website.
Downhill skiing is my favourite winter activity. I try to stay in shape in order to ski.
Love the fresh air and scenery. Where I ski now has a gorgeous view from the cafeteria window -- 180 degree of glaciated mountains.
5. How do you define the type of writer you are? Do you outline or go with the flow?
I outline and write and rejig the outline and write and rejig ... But I definitely have to have an idea of where the story is going.
6. How important is a critique partner to a writer's success?
I think it's essential to have another pair of eyes on your manuscript. I'm one of those people who isn't bad at spotting typos of others, but can't see my own errors after a while. Several people
have recommended reading out loud to find such errors. Seems to work.
I have two critique buddies whose insights are invaluable; they can find faults in the logic of the story and, in my case, if there is too much, unexplained history or Gaelic. Also my local chapter has a contest which is critiqued by published authors only. Quite a perk of membership!
7. How important is the happily-ever-after ending?
Important! Romance novels can be something positive in our lives, when tough times come. And they do. I remember reading 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood and being unhappy with the ending. The heroine worked so hard to get out of her closed community and didn't make it. Not fair!
In a romance novel, we can escape into a story where consequences are logical; if your heroine works hard at her goals, she will achieve them. Or at least we will be satisfied with how things worked out for her.
8. Explicit love scenes yes or no; if yes please explain; if not please explain.
I don't write explicit love scenes because I hope to appeal to young adults as well as an older readership.
9. Where do your ideas come from?
My ideas come from the historical research I do. When I have a block, I
pick up a research book and find a way out or a new idea.
10. Do you have a ritual you go through before sitting down to write?
I went to the Emerald City Romance Writers conference this year and received a great mug with all sorts of sayings by famous authors. My new motto is 'I am not at all in a humor for writing; I must write on till I am' by Jane Austen. Even the great writers like Jane had her off days. It sits at my right hand, hot and stern. I'll keep the thing even if it breaks into tiny pieces.
11. What do you find the most challenging part of the writing process?
The blank page. I can do outlines and figure out a story, but actually peopling it with characters
readers want to follow is the trick.
12. Do you set daily writing goals for yourself?
I think you must if you expect to finish your novels. I teach at university part-time and have to work writing around it and keeping a biggish house in order. The usual.
13. How many days a week do you give to your writing?
Here's the plan for the new year: five days a week at least one hour per day.
14. Where in your home is your writing space? Do you sit by a window, cozy up in a corner, or have to be at a desk?
My office and library are in the dungeon, the basement, which has lots of room but is dark.
I work there sometimes but migrate to different part of the house for inspiration ... and light.
15. If you could write an anthology with any NYT best-selling author(s) who would they be, and do they reflect your own writing style?
I would like to write with another fantasy writer. Stephanie Meyer. Dream on. Sharon Ashwood is doing well; she isn't an NYT best-seller -- yet. Just you wait. I may write a purely historical novel one day, but now like to read and write fantasy.
16. What type of career/job do you have other than writing?
I teach part-time in Continuing Studies at university. I was a high school teacher for many years and taught mostly French and some Social Studies. At university I teach whatever I like!
I've taught Scottish Gaelic, and Scottish and Irish history. Next September I plan
to offer a course called 'Picts & Scots'.
17. How understanding is your family about your writing? Do you find it hard to organize time for family and friends?
My family is supportive but mystified. They don't think it's a practical way to spend time. But they were equally mystified by my degree in Scottish History and Celtic Studies. My grandfather
paid my expenses and fees when I went to Scotland to study Scottish History and Gaelic. He told me to study the history of both Gaelic Scotland (the Highlands) and Ireland if I wanted a depth of understanding unavailable from Scottish sources alone.
18. What is the one writing tool you can't live without?
Computer! Is there any doubt? I would not have had the patience to type and retype on the
old machines. And carbon paper! Awful stuff.
19. What famous writer do you admire most?
JK Rowling -- love her books, her creativity and perseverance.
20. Where can readers find you?
www.sheilacurrie.com -- coming soon to a browser near you!
Thanks so much for taking the time to give us a peek into your writing life! Best wishes for a successful career and a prosperous 2010!