Interview w/Songs of the Muses author, Skhye Moncrief

Its my pleasure to interview the author of "Ancient Musings," the debut story from the new Wild Rose Press Anthology, "Songs of the Muses," Skhye Moncrief.

Welcome Skhye! First off, I want to congratulate you on the release of your story, "Ancient Musings," which is available from the Wild Rose press today!!!!! But, before we get started I want to tell you that I love your cover!! Its beautiful!!And since we're not just here to get to know you all little better, but to promote the Anthology and your story, is there something you'd like to say about it?

ANCIENT MUSINGS is the first story in an anthology of nine where love and romance find the Greek muses. Each muse has her own tale. My story, ANCIENT MUSINGS, is where Calliope joins forces with an archaeologist's soul while searching for Gaia's pool in the kingdom of Hades. Both soon realize they are nothing more than pawns for ANCIENT MUSINGS. ~Skhye

When the muse of writing Calliope, challenges Zeus to end her immortal existence, she faces the reality of death in Hades. Only Jake Genoese, an archaeologist's soul, can outwit Zeus's Harpies and help her find new purpose. Far more is at stake when both realize they are no more than pawns for ANCIENT MUSINGS.

And now- THE INTERVIEW

C of C- How long have you been writing?

SM- Ugh. I can’t even remember when I started. Sad but true.

C of C- Are you a plotter or a pantser?

SM- Mostly a pantser. I do plot some in the beginning to set up a proposal after working on one for a submission. I found it helped me sketch out enough story information and character goals, motivation, and conflict to write a stronger first draft before writing the first line of a tale. As they say, the story tends to flesh out and the proposal changes. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles.

C of C- How would you describe your voice?

SM-I am a horrible judge of anything I do. I call myself the world’s biggest pessimist. So, I couldn't even begin to label my work. People tell me I never give myself credit for anything.

C of C- ah, I know that well, I being a pessimist myself.

C of C- Where do you find your inspiration?

SM- My inspiration comes from documentaries and extensive research to hard and soft science publications.

C of C- Hmm, interesting. I can definitely say you are the only author to say that!

C of C- How do you come up with your ideas/plots?

SM- I just twist everything I’ve ever studied on a top into something that sounds new to me.

C of C- Do you write in short stretches or for long periods of time?

SM- I prefer writing over long periods of time.

C of C- Do you write in silence or listen to music?

SM- I can’t handle noise while reading or writing. I hear that’s a learning style. LOL. My critique partners would laugh at me when we met at a Barnes & Noble Starbucks. I could never read anything there because of the music!

C of C- Do you eat or drink while writing?

SM- Doesn’t everyone? Oh, wait! I’m supposed to be on a diet.

C of C- lol, shame on you!!

C of C- Do you research your story before you write it, or as you go?

SM- I research everything I need too before starting then what pops up along the trail.

C of C- What have you learned through research that you’ll remember for the rest of your life? SM- That numerology pegs my personality to the freakiest “t,” yikes!

C of C- Same here Skhye, very freaky isn't it?

C of C- How do you decorate your writing space?

SM- It’s usually fairly neat but covered in dust because I hate dusting. But after the baby learned to walk, I find my office floor covered in piles of stuff dangerous to said child…

C of C- uh, oh ...

C of C- Are you a neat/organized writer or is your office and/or space a complete mess with sticky notes everywhere?

SM- I tend to have everything where it goes, but I do like the look of a messy bulletin board.

C of C- Bulletin boards are meant to be messy!

C of C- Does all your writing take place on a computer or do you ever write on pen and paper? SM- Computer

C of C- Do you feel a draw to the people and time period you write about?

SM- Yes. I don’t know how anyone could spend any time writing about something they weren’t attracted to. Writing takes an incredible amount of time and effort.

C of C- What character did you most enjoy writing?

SM- My hero, Cochise.

C of C- hmm, interesting name. Will we be seeing his story?

C of C- Readers are always curious to know about authors lives. What is the worst job (non-writing related) you’ve ever held?

SM- Selling frozen yogurt

C of C- What is one thing you think your readers would be interested to know about you?

SM- I have sifted chocolate chips out of cookie mix when I couldn’t find any chocolate snacks.

C of C- lol, oops forgot about that diet, again?? :O)

C of C- Are you reclusive or do you like being with other writers?

SM- I tend to be reclusive.

C of C- Its a good thing us reclusive writers have each other, eh? :O)

C of C- Do you find love scenes easy or hard to write?

SM- Is answering easy here going to get me into trouble?

C of C- Uh? :O) lol

C of C- Do you ever act out your scenes?

SM- I’m too busy eating and drinking to get out of the chair and walk in my character’s shoes.
C of C- ha ha, good answer!

C of C- How long do you wait once a story is finished to revise it?

SM- A few months

C of C- Do you ever second guess yourself and your writing?

SM-No

C of C- Do you ever stray from your genre? Your comfort zone?

SM- Not yet. That would mean me writing an inspirational…

C of C- Is it necessary to have a Critique/Writing partner?

SM-Yes

C of C- Do you allow family and friends to read your stories?

SM-Yes

C of C- Is there a subject you would like to write about, but don’t because you believe it isn’t marketable?

SM- Historicals with grimy heroes and heroines who had bad breath, decayed teeth, and realistic descriptions like a man-at-arms’ sword arm being larger than his other arm…
C of C- I can see that, nothing sexy about a man with nasty teeth and stinky breath! lol :O)

C of C- Authors make writing look so easy. Is it harder than most people imagine it to be?

SM- It was much harder in the beginning. But after jumping through about a million burning hoops, it’s kind of fun now. Wax on. Wax off. Wax on. Wax off.

C of C- I hear ya!!! :O)

C of C- When you write a new story are you apprehensive about allowing others to critique it? SM- No. I’ve always been the type of writer who wants to know what didn’t work for the reader. I need feedback.

C of C- That's great! wish I could say the same thing!

C of C- Which author/(s) are on your must-read list?

SM- Karen Moning, Sherrilyn Kenyon

C of C- What is your favorite writing memory?

SM- Selling my first book! That’s called validation.
C of C- There's nothing better than that! Though I can only imagine ... and dream. :O)

C of C- Do you have more than one book out now?

SM- Two. Two are in the works. I should here about a few more novels soon.

C of C- Has your writing Journey been a smooth or bumpy ride?

SM- Bumpy, but I’m a pessimist…

C of C- What advice would you give to a new aspiring writer?

SM- That anyone can learn to write a story. I have been around people who stated they were born to write. Well, after taking 80 hours of anthropology I can say that humans have to be taught to speak, how to put that language in written form, and only then can humans begin to study the anatomy of a story. If you’re writing a story, don’t think that you have to have some special gene. I believe people who were “born to write” have an unusual knack for understanding story structure or reading body language to play on an audience’s response. So, I should modify my initial point: Anyone can learn to write a story so never give up!

C of C- And there lies the best advice- NEVER give up! That's the key.

Its been great getting to know more about you and your writing Skhye! I want to thank you for taking the time to be here with me today!!! Best of luck in all your future endeavours!!!

To purchase your copy of "Ancient Musings," go to: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

If you would like to learn more about Skhye you can locate her on the web at:

http://www.skhyemoncrief.com/

Skhye is also offering a contest!!

To be in the running for a Celtic CD of Skhye's choice... straight from her Time Guardians' treasure chest, find and state the name of Skhye Moncrief's, FREE READ, which can be found on her website, then leave your answer as a comment below the interview.

You must enter by midnight CST Friday, June 13th. The name of the winner will be announced on June 14th. Good luck. ~Skhye

Please do not forget to leave your contact information with your entry! If the winner does not acknowledge winning after 7 days, another winner will be picked.

Other books by Skhye Moncrief~