Interview With Published Author Denise Belinda McDonald

Welcome to the blog for the Yellow Rose Chapter of Romance Writers of America. Our guest interviewee today is multi-published author Denise Belinda McDonald. Denise wrote her first stories at age eight, sequels to her favorite moves, The Headless Horseman and When A Stranger Calls. Her writing definitely progressed over the years. When she read her first Nora Roberts’ novel, Denise thought she had found her niche. Although it’s not easy to fill Nora’s shoes, Denise is steadily building her career while raising four boys and a husband, participating in their events, and being active in writing groups. She is immediate Past President of Yellow Rose RWA and has served as President of Trinity Writers Workshop. She’s also a member of Dallas Area Romance Authors and of PASIC. Please welcome her.

CC: Not counting your early sequels, when did you begin writing your first novel?

DM: 2001 when I was pregnant with boy #4. I had read several romance novels and thought, I can do that. I sat down with a spiral notebook and a pen and cranked out two novels during my second trimester. Sure some was to quell the creative urge but some was to keep from going insane with #4 on the way, #3 in diapers, #2 in half day kindergarten and #1 in first grade.  Instead of killed the hubby, I wrote about it (and yes, he knows, and has finally stopped sleeping with one eye open).
CC: Are there other writers in your family who encouraged you to write?

DM: My husband definitely, he is quite supportive. He wrote screenplays in college. My mother wrote poetry and has done any number of crafts. She has always been a great support, though every now and again when I get the “Gosh, I still can’t believe you’re published,” it makes me wonder….

Oddly enough my husband’s aunt (who also wrote screenplays) knew I was writing and got me hooked up with a multi-genre writing/critique group in my area. Through them, I found a few women with RWA and came to Yellow Rose, who have always been supportive. All my boys are published through their school too, (three before me) so when I sold my novella they all said it was about time.
CC: What influenced your choice of genre? Contemporary versus historical?

DM: I’m pretty much a contemporary gal; I can’t say that any one thing influenced it specifically. To be honest, I hadn’t read my first historical novel until a few years ago (it came from the book of the month club by mistake. For fun one afternoon I started it and couldn’t put it down). As long as I can remember, I’ve played the “what if” game when a story on the news or something I hear sparks a germ of an idea. I always picture it in the here and now. And of course, I am the heroine and the hottie de jour-crush is the hero. That’s normal, right?
CC: Do you read a lot and, if so, what genre? Name a few of your favorite authors.

DM: All the time-and in multiple genres. I love Karen Robards, Nora Roberts, Susan Mallery (all of whom inspired me to want to write). As well as, John Sandford, Janet Evanovich and Dean Koontz. Of course, I read all the ‘Buds.
CC:  This is really three questions together. What was your first publication? Please list your publications for us. Tell us about your Paintbrush Series.

DM: My first publication was a Novella called HER PASSION released in 2006. I have also published: DEADLY MISTAKES 2006, THE INN CROWD 2007, TRADING FACES 2008, SECOND CHANCES 2009 and coming this summer THE COWBOY PLAN (all from Samhain Publishing).

The Paintbrush series is set in fictional Paintbrush, Wyoming. It’s a ranching/farming community and I have always had a love for cowboys (thanks to my granddad). When the first book in the series came to thought, Wyoming seemed like the logical place. As I started work on the first story, there were so many characters that I hated to narrow it down to one book and instantly the plotlines for 2-4 came to me. Once I had some of book 2’s plot, book 5 formed in my mind-it all seemed natural. Now I have to get busy.
CC: Do you plot your books or are you a pantser?

DM: Both. Some of my books I will have a single scene idea and go from that, some I will plot out completely and some are a hybrid. I will have a few key points and the rest… comes as it comes. So yeah, no enlightenment there. Sorry.
CC: Other than the computer, what are tools you must have to write?

DM: I use my Alphasmart a lot. It fits in my bag (well, I bought the bag to fit the Alphasmart). Pen and paper are always on hand. And music doesn’t hurt-I listen to a lot of music. I have a few silly things too. I have a special writing ring-but only when it’s a first draft. I guess that falls under the superstitions like that of a baseball player. And chocolate. Never a bad thing in my opinion.
CC: With four active children, I imagine you have a hectic life. What is your writing schedule?

DM: While they are at school I try to work as much as possible-though laundry and dishes often beckon. On the weekends, when I have time to myself, I will hole up in my room and write. Oddly enough, if I am out somewhere with my Alphasmart I can usually get several pages done. I think it’s hyper-focus moments.
CC: I think you’ve participated in the November NANO writing challenge. Do you consistently set writing goals for yourself?

DM: I do. I have my list hanging right above my computer so I see it every time I sit down. I tend to make for goals probably twice as much as I think I can handle and that way if I get through half, it will feel like I accomplished something.
CC:  What are you working on now?

DM: I am working on book 2 of the Paintbrush series as well as doing edits for a ghost story to start the submission process shortly. I have three or four projects lined up to conquer as well (can’t do one thing at a time).
CC: Is there anything new/different you’d like to try in your career’s future?

DM: That’s a hard one. I think I’d like to be more adventurous and get more work out there. Unfortunately that is a self pacing dictate and as a wife and mother writing can easily get pushed to the back burner (not because they demand my time, but because I worry about taking the time… ah the neurosis of a writer!)

Please thank Denise and/or ask her other questions. In addition, please check out her website at www.denisebelindamcdonald.com.