Ask the Author: M.K.B. Graham
Answered Questions (7)
M.K.B. Graham
Usually, I have several books going at once, but this summer I'm digging into "The Forgotten Man" by Amity Shales. It's nonfiction and a hard—but good—read. The author goes to great lengths to explain the Great Depression. I'm learning a lot about economics. The book gives a perspective on that era that is new and interesting, especially the players like Herbert Hoover. (I didn't know he was so well-traveled or that he had studied engineering and geology!)
M.K.B. Graham
Hi Verona. I'm sorry you're confused! No, I don't specify how Clarissa dies, just that she does. She's such a sweet lady that her loss was hard for the whole family. I used her death primarily to explain some back story and to reveal a little more about Caroline's character. Would you have wanted to know more specifics?
Thanks for asking....and thanks so much for reading Cairnaerie. Please let me know if you have any more questions or comments.
Thanks for asking....and thanks so much for reading Cairnaerie. Please let me know if you have any more questions or comments.
M.K.B. Graham
The setting for CAIRNAERIE is a real house in Virginia. Along with a sequel to my novel, I hope to begin working on a history of the real CAIRNAERIE.
M.K.B. Graham
Remember that writing is about art and craft. It is not all about inspiration. Like an artist or a sculptor, you have to learn best practices, techniques, methods and figure out what your strongest and weakest skills are — and hone them. So my best advice is to be a student of writing, which is a lifelong task.
M.K.B. Graham
The best thing is just how satisfying it is to "say" something just right, to get it on paper so that it resonates. I also love the quiet that writing requires. And when I'm writing historical fiction, I LOVE the research part.
M.K.B. Graham
CAIRNAERIE grew out of an image I had one Christmas of a man knocking on the door of an old, run down house, which you'll read in Chapter 1. From there the story simply unfolded.
M.K.B. Graham
I love this question! I am not sure I ever have writers block because of one fact: I know I can write junk. Knowing that I give myself the freedom to write without self-editing. That can come later. I just get the tap running — like priming a pump — and write.
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