Ask the Author: Gifford MacShane
Answered Questions (9)
Gifford MacShane
Hi, Marvin, thanks for your question. That particular statement applies to WHISPERS IN THE CANYON, a story that has as its center theme healing from abuse, both physical and sexual. I've read some books that try to make excuses for those who abuse others, but I can't understand why anyone would want to.
The psyche of the villain (who in this case is killed before the novel opens) is explored primarily by the effect he has had on the people who knew/interacted with him. I believe the reader will have a full understanding of him by the end of the book, while at the same time coming to grips with the results of his actions and the hardships they created, both for those he abused and for the ones who love them.
The psyche of the villain (who in this case is killed before the novel opens) is explored primarily by the effect he has had on the people who knew/interacted with him. I believe the reader will have a full understanding of him by the end of the book, while at the same time coming to grips with the results of his actions and the hardships they created, both for those he abused and for the ones who love them.
Gifford MacShane
Hi, Scott, nice to hear from you. The history of Irish music in America is fascinating, isn't it? It gave birth to Appalachian music, which in turn gave us bluegrass and subsequently Jimmy Rodgers and Hank Williams. One of the most well-known cowboy songs, The Streets of Laredo, is based both in melody and theme on "The Unfortunate Rake", and it's just one example I can think of off the top of my head.
There are a couple of songs written by American William Shakespeare Hays that I always thought were Irish in origin they so closely resemble traditional Irish music. Norah O'Neal & Mollie Darlin' are both on my website (giffordmacshane.com) if you're interested.
Your manuscript sounds like fun! When you finish, if you need a beta reader, just let me know!
There are a couple of songs written by American William Shakespeare Hays that I always thought were Irish in origin they so closely resemble traditional Irish music. Norah O'Neal & Mollie Darlin' are both on my website (giffordmacshane.com) if you're interested.
Your manuscript sounds like fun! When you finish, if you need a beta reader, just let me know!
Gifford MacShane
Hi, Lilyyy, thanks for your question.
I'll always welcome a review for any of my books! If you wanted to take a look at THE WINDS OF MORNING, I'd be happy to send you a download link.
My inspiration for the Donovan Family Saga came from my family history, and the conjunction of two branches of it in an article published at Irish Central, a website I subscribe to: "Irish town built a memorial to thank Native Americans who helped during Famine".
My mother has a smidgen of Native American blood, so the article caught my eye. And, though I was vaguely aware of the story behind the article, I hadn't previously made the connection to my father's family of Irish immigrants who, I realized, had to have lived through the famine.
As I researched the history of the famine, I learned that it was an entirely avoidable tragedy that took almost a million lives, and caused another million people to emigrate, many landing in America as my father's family did.
I felt compelled to tell the stories of the survivors—the ones who somehow held body and soul together and found a way to (eventually) prosper.
Thanks again, Giff
I'll always welcome a review for any of my books! If you wanted to take a look at THE WINDS OF MORNING, I'd be happy to send you a download link.
My inspiration for the Donovan Family Saga came from my family history, and the conjunction of two branches of it in an article published at Irish Central, a website I subscribe to: "Irish town built a memorial to thank Native Americans who helped during Famine".
My mother has a smidgen of Native American blood, so the article caught my eye. And, though I was vaguely aware of the story behind the article, I hadn't previously made the connection to my father's family of Irish immigrants who, I realized, had to have lived through the famine.
As I researched the history of the famine, I learned that it was an entirely avoidable tragedy that took almost a million lives, and caused another million people to emigrate, many landing in America as my father's family did.
I felt compelled to tell the stories of the survivors—the ones who somehow held body and soul together and found a way to (eventually) prosper.
Thanks again, Giff
Gifford MacShane
The best thing is being able to bring a new slant to events in history.
For instance, many people are no longer aware of An Gorta Mor, the Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800s. Others, who may be familiar with it, might not realize that disaster was largely preventable, much like the COVID-19 disaster today. Over 800,000 Irish souls perished because the English government, who ruled all of Ireland at the time, failed to take any critical steps to prevent it.
My story records not only the immediate effect of the famine, but how that affected one family through the next generation as immigrants to America. So I hope people can look at the history behind the book with a new perspective.
For instance, many people are no longer aware of An Gorta Mor, the Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800s. Others, who may be familiar with it, might not realize that disaster was largely preventable, much like the COVID-19 disaster today. Over 800,000 Irish souls perished because the English government, who ruled all of Ireland at the time, failed to take any critical steps to prevent it.
My story records not only the immediate effect of the famine, but how that affected one family through the next generation as immigrants to America. So I hope people can look at the history behind the book with a new perspective.
Gifford MacShane
I'd travel to that section of Arizona featured in Zane Grey's UNDER THE TONTO RIM, and like his character Lucy Watson, I'd teach sewing & reading. I'd enjoy learning how to follow wild bees to their hives & collect honey, as well as learning the skills of the woodsmen who made homes there.
Gifford MacShane
For the most part, I simply ignore writer's block. There's always something I can do that's writing-adjacent until the muse strikes again: editing is a big one, or marketing, or updating my blog. If my mind refuses to move forward on a piece, I put that aside and work on something else. Re-focusing my energies elsewhere often provides new inspiration.
Gifford MacShane
I'm currently doing the final edits on the sequel to Whispers In The Canyon. It's entitled THE WOODSMAN'S ROSE and continues the Donovan Family Saga, centering on the romance between Daniel (the Woodsman) and Annie Griffiths.
Gifford MacShane
There's a lot of writing advice out there -- many, many "rules" people say need to be followed. But most of these are style choices individual writers choose to make. I personally find the grammar rules worthwhile: I don't always adhere to them, but I think it's important to know when to break them and to do it deliberately.
As for style, I stick to only one rule: find the best word and use it. This, for me, is what creates your individual voice.
As for style, I stick to only one rule: find the best word and use it. This, for me, is what creates your individual voice.
Gifford MacShane
I was looking at some genealogy information my niece found about my father's family, and I realized his ancestors must have lived through the Great Potato Famine in Ireland (1847-1852). That stirred around in my mind for quite a while, and eventually I pulled out some short stories I'd written about the Old West. I saw an opportunity to put these two facets together, and the Donovan Family Saga was born.
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