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Lea
In the world of fantasy, this writer is red
hot! Her storylines are original, and you'll fall in love with her
characters. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the interview
with Mrs.Shiree McCarver.
Lea:
Hello Shiree, What an honor
it is to interview you.
Shiree
You are really sweet thank
you so much. I’m honored that you chose to interview
me.
Lea
I have to say, I really enjoyed Shelby and
Darius's story. What made you write this story?
Shiree
I
wrote it because of something wonderful that happened to me during a
weekend. I no longer felt like an attractive woman and I met a
stranger that I shared not sex but something more rare. I shared a
moment of intimacy and he made me feel treasured. It was my Waiting
to Exhale moment. You know like that scene with Angela Bassett and
Wesley Snipes in the hotel room.
Lea
You seem to have
extensive knowledge of classical and mythological history. Did you
study literature?
Shiree
To be honest and I know this is
awful of a writer to say, but I dislike literature for literature
sake. You know reading the stuff just so you appear to be smart. I
read mythology because I love history and everything about it.
Lea
How do you brainstorm?
Shiree
I really
don’t. I can be washing dishes, driving, watching something on TV
and I always have pen and paper handy because out of the blue a
scene comes to mind, then everything else follows the
scene.
Lea
What is your creative process?
Shiree
I start with a scene coming to my head where I
actually act the part of my characters aloud; it’s like watching a
soap opera. After that I start asking ‘what if?’. The next thing I
know is I have a story, once I have the story I start listening to
the characters and let them lead me.
Lea
Since music is a
part of who you are, will we see a music reference in all of your
writings?
Shiree
I would like to say no, but I think so
far it has been, now that I think of it. But if it happens it isn’t
intentional. Its just music is such a big part of my life. I sing at
the drop of a hat, it has helped me deal with hard times and seem to
be something needed in my life like breathing.
Lea
Why did
you choose to write fantasy?
Shiree
I actually write
interracial historical romances and my first book is fantasy because
I needed it to be in order for me to be honest in my
characterization of Selby. Selby is me in many ways and it’s hard to
put yourself out there for people to judge and see in black and
white. So I created a fantasy mixed with reality to ease the pain of
reliving parts of my life through her. I also was able to combine my
knowledge of history by making my shifters
Satyrs.
Lea
What do you read?
Shiree
Historical
Romances of course, Paranormal, Fantasy, Horror and Fairytales…shoot
anything I can get my hand on. My biggest reading library is true
crime stories, I’m really interested in how the mind of the twisted
works.
Lea
How long have you been writing?
Shiree
Since I was eleven I started writing songs and
poetry. When I turned fifteen read my first romance by the age of
seventeen I wanted more books with girls like me and decided to
write. So I have been writing in some form for 31 years off and
on.
Lea
Who is your favorite writer?
Shiree
I
don’t have just one favorite because I read too
much.
Lea
How much of your characters are you?
Shiree
So far emotionally, all of the women have a part
of me in them. Selby is 80% me. My hero’s is how I pictured My
Prince would be. I have yet to meet him in the
flesh.
Lea
Where do you draw your inspirations
from?
Shiree
Oh wow, a little bit of everywhere.
Sometimes it’s something I read, parts of my life, watching TV.
Mostly the characters in my head won’t shut up and I write what they
tell me. (lol)
Lea
You do not shy away from explicite sex
scenes. How do you keep it classy and tasteful?
Shiree
First thank you, it wasn’t my intention. I suppose
it comes off that way because I am not one to have sex for the sake
of having sex, so I don’t do it with my main characters. I am a firm
believer that sex isn’t mind blowing unless you are emotionally
vested. I believe when feelings are involved the characters can be
highly erotic, even freaky but you get the feeling that they are
that way because they can’t get enough of each other mentally and
physically.
Lea
You aren't afraid to give your opinions,
so let me ask you:
How has the publishing business been to you?
Shiree
I actually have not accumulated the horror stories
that many authors have. I wrote a white on white historical once
that was almost accepted by Avon and in the requested rewrites I
ruined the story and I realized later I did it because that wasn’t
the reason I started writing. So it’s been good, I sold my first two
interracial books to the first publishers I sent them to.
An
agent turned me down. I thought to go that route because I was
confused about what I should do first. So I let the fates decide, if
the agent didn’t want me, it meant I was to go the building my
resume route first. She turned me down, I think she didn’t feel she
could sale an interracial story and I wasn’t established enough for
her to waste time on. It’s easier to sell a sure thing you know. I
figured it was her loss and decided who can sale me better then me.
(lol) It’s good enough for now.
Lea
Do you feel
restricted?
Shiree
No, I don’t feel restricted at all
because I’m very open about the fact that I am not just a romance
writer I am an interracial romance writer. Take it or leave it. I
spent all of these years waiting for this moment in time when what I
write is openly received by someone. I had no problems waiting as
long as I had to. I’m not writing to impress, I’m writing to express
how beautiful the world could be if we could love anyone we wanted
without racial interference. You won’t find many racial motivated
issues in my books. I don’t need it to move my storylines, they have
too much other stuff going on.
Lea
What about stereotyped?
Do you feel like you are stereotyped?
Shiree
What about
it? I don’t think I have ever personally felt stereotyped. I’m too
outspoken and outgoing to allow myself to be bagged and labeled. I
have been denied more opportunities because I was overweight then I
have because I was black. Twice I was denied my dream of performing
and both times it was because I wanted to sing Country music. I was
told they couldn’t sell a black woman in Nashville, guess they were
right because they still don’t have one and that was 20 years ago
when I was told that. I feel stereotyping is an issue of the
beholder, not mine.
Lea
Look into the future for a minute.
Where is the E-Pub business in your opinion?
Shiree
I remember a time when paperbacks were considered dime story
entertainment, you didn’t read them in public and no real novelist
would dare write such smut. Hardcover was the only true form of a
true author. That is one of the reasons for Alias names of authors.
The money was in the dime store smut, but they didn’t want their
peers finding out and it ruined their reputations. That was also a
time were only men were allowed to write, or so it appeared females
wrote under masculine names.
Shiree
So see how time
changes all things. I see E-Pub being the next paperback smut
peddler, it will be highly praised as being successful in the
future. Yes we still love holding our books. But what about
Generation X? They have computer disc School textbooks now. Remember
they are our future. So you get with the program or be like the next
occasional hardcover author. Look how you only see the same writers
getting the hardcover opportunities.
Lea
Where is
Shiree?
Shiree
First let me tell you when I had my past
life reading, I found out in one of my lives I was a writer who was
too outspoken for my time and I was hung for it. So I feel as if I
am fulfilling my destiny in my current life. I am once again writing
about something the world is not ready to accept. But this time I
won’t be forgotten. Long after I have gone my stories will be
remembered by someone. When I found out five years ago I would not
ever have children of my own, I became serious about my writing and
being published no matter what. These stories are my children…this
is my legacy. So wherever I am in the future I shall be right where
I was meant to be.
Lea
Your future
works?
Shiree
My future works?
Shiree
Well not
only do I have Selby and Darius coming out at
www.oceansmistpress.com they are also considering Forever Moonlight,
which ties in with Selby and Darius and afterwards I will be
submitting for their consideration Zaza and Sylus’s story, again
ties in with Selby and Darius.
www.newconceptspublishing.com ,
has my first Historical Interracial Romance, The Lord and the
Scorpion which is over a 130,000 word novel and the first of four,
all stand alone stories. So hopefully it will sell well so it can be
reproduce for future paperback distribution.
My current goal is
to have four or five books circulating amongst my readers while I
take the rest of the year to work on second Interracial Historical
The Prince and the Panther. They are the most time consuming to
write. I welcome all to check out my website www.shireemccarver.com
and join my group while you are there so you can keep up with the
latest updates. I also have a big give away planned for the kick off
of Selby and Darius! I also encourage emails
shireemccarver@yahoo.com
Lea
Cool, we readers love free
things. LOL
Lea
Shiree, it has been great having you.
Thank you for granting me this interview.
Shiree
Thank you
so much Lea for considering me interview worthy. As my career
unfolds you are always welcomed back for updates, ice tea in mason
jars, and some girly talk.
Lea
It will be my
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