Ask the Author: Mary T. McCarthy
Answered Questions (8)
Mary T. McCarthy
Thanks for reading. It was a tricky period in my life to navigate and i have had a lot of responses to that essay. You can find my email address on my website marytmccarthy.com if you want to talk more. Appreciate you responding!
Mary T. McCarthy
Do you know who was doing the giveaway? If it was the publisher or the literary agent I can contact them and let them know you haven't received it. Please let me know, and also which book/books it was. Thanks!
Mary T. McCarthy
From my last book, since it's a sequel. I only ever intended to write one novel, but when I sold it, my publisher signed me for a two-book contract. I asked "What's the other book?!" excitedly, as if someone was going to tell me. I figured writing a sequel made the most sense, even though I had neatly tied the first book up with a bow. The idea for the third book came to me while writing the second, and I figured hey, might as well be a trilogy because giving my mom a boxed set would be cool, even though I doubt she'll read any of them. She writes butterfly and fairy poetry, so they're not really her style.
Mary T. McCarthy
Deadlines. If I don't have a specific deadline, I set up a reward system in which I get something (spa day, travel weekend) if I finish the outline/draft/book/edits. For shorter pieces, it's smaller rewards- if I meet my deadlines this week, I get a pedicure Friday, or get to go out to lunch with a friend. Classical conditioning straight out of Skinner and Pavlov.
Mary T. McCarthy
I'm outlining my third novel (THE SCARLET LETTER STORM) to complete the scarlet letter trilogy. Then I'd really like to publish UPPER WHITE TRASH, a memoir on growing up in an apartment complex outside Philadelphia in a Catholic family of six kids with an alcoholic dad. After that I'd like to work on a book of short stories about the darker side of suburban living, and at some point a collection of my opinion pieces from over the years.
Mary T. McCarthy
WRITE. I know, sounds simple, yeah? But there's no golden ticket, so by all means keep opening chocolate bars, but the key to becoming a writer isn't going to show up inside a Wonka wrapper. Write every day. (Well, half the days of the week at least.) Read Stephen King's ON WRITING and Erica Jong's SEDUCING THE DEMON. Both great books on finding your muse, and your writing groove. Also, know your reader. Not everyone is going to love your writing; find the readers who do.
Mary T. McCarthy
Working in my pajamas. Also, being able to work anywhere, like at the beach. When I was a magazine editor I worked in an office environment, and although it has advantages (adorable office supplies, office lunches), I'm far more productive, apparently, when I don't have to wear a bra.
Mary T. McCarthy
By getting away from the computer, preferably by kayaking or walking on the beach. Ideas for stories or the next chapter, etc always come to me when I'm not sitting in front of a screen. I use the "Notes" section of my iPhone to "jot" down the idea so I don't forget it later. Also, I keep "Notes" for future story ideas in case I run out.
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