Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Fliterary Welcomes Author Vickie McDonough

Welcome to Fliterary! We love making new friends.
Let’s sit together on the swings and you can introduce yourself:


Thanks for the invitation to visit. I’m Vickie McDonough, and I write mostly historical romances, although I have been known to pen a contemporary story now and then. I was born and raised in Oklahoma and still live there. I’m a wife, mom of four grown sons, grandma, and primary caregiver to my eighty-three-year-old mother. My dream when I was young was to grow up and marry a rancher, but instead, I married a sweet computer geek who is scared of horses. But I’ve been blessed to be able to write out my dream through fiction where I often pen stories about cowboys, ranchers, and lawmen.



You have a new book out, what’s it about?
Whispers on the Prairie is the first book in my Pioneer Promises series. It’s set mostly at a remote stage stop in eastern Kansas. The Harper family—Ma, Pa, and their three grown sons: Aaron, Josh, and Ethan, as well as Aaron’s two young children—run the stage stop. Life is busy, but the Harpers find contentment in their family, faith, and work. When Sarah, a pretty, young woman from Chicago, gets stranded at the stage stop, turmoil invades the Harpers’ peaceful existence, and men flock to Sarah faster than spinning dust devils.
Though his sister-in-law died several years ago, Ethan still feels responsible. He thinks if he can find Aaron a new wife, the guilt will go away—and he believes Sarah is that woman. But the more interest his brother shows Sarah, the more anxious Ethan becomes. A marriage between Aaron and Sarah is what he wants—isn’t it?


Where can we buy it?

Why did you choose to be a Christian writer and what does it mean to you?
I can honestly say, I never chose to be a writer of Christian fiction. It chose me. Way back in school, I hated English class and writing, but I’ve always been an avid reader. A story idea started playing in my mind one day, and it kept coming back and wouldn’t go away. When it got to the point where I couldn’t sleep, I started writing it down in hopes it would go away and leave me alone. I actually finished the book, and right on its tale, came another story. I wrote that one too, in a very short time. After I finished it, I got to wondering if God was trying to get my attention. I was still pretty clueless at this point.

I talked to my husband and told him that I thought God was leading me (more like nudging—shoving me) into writing. I thought: who am I to write a book. I don’t even like writing. My husband has been totally supportive from day one and encouraged me to go for it. I joined local and online writers’ groups, took classes and workshops about writing, attended writers’ conferences, and did all I could to learn the craft. I jumped in with both feet, and I guess you could say the rest is history. My writing career started in January, 2001, and next year, my 30th book will be released. I thank God for this amazing journey He’s taken me on.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
 Know that it usually takes a very long time to get published. Keep writing, cranking out books, improving your craft and don’t give up.

Where can we find you on the web?
Website: www.vickiemcdonough.com (If you’d like to sign-up to receive my newsletter and breaking book news, there’s a link you can click on my Home page, right below the Navigation bar.
Christian Fiction Historical Society blog: http://christianfictionhistoricalsociety.blogspot.com (My usual day to blog is the 10th of the month)


Thank you so much for stopping by for a visit!

6 comments:

Lisa Buffaloe said...

Thank you for sharing, Vickie. I'm grateful the writing chose you! :)

Blessings,
Lisa

Vickie McDonough said...

Thanks for stopping by, Lisa. I'm now sure I chose writing, but rather writing chose me.

Margaret Daley said...

Thanks, Vickie. I know this book is terrific. A great series.

Margaret Daley said...

Thanks, Vickie. I know this book is terrific—the whole series is.

Therese Stenzel said...

Vickie, I've read so many of your books. I'm grateful that you always write such engaging stories with great heroines and hero's and horses of course!

Therese

Vickie McDonough said...

Thanks for stopping by, Margaret, and for your kind words.

Therese, thanks for reading my books. It's always means a lot when another writer enjoys them.