Madeline
(M.M.) Gornell has four published mystery novels—PSWA awarding winning Uncle Si’s Secret (2008); Death of a Perfect Man (2009); Eric
Hoffer Fiction finalist and Honorary Mention winner, the da Vinci Eye finalist,
and Montaigne Medalist finalist Reticence
of Ravens (2011); and PSWA award
winner and Hollywood Book Festival Honorary Mention Lies of Convenience (2012). Both Reticence of Ravens and Lies
of Convenience are Route 66 mysteries.
Madeline
is also a potter with a fondness for stoneware and reduction firing. She lives
with her husband and assorted canines in the Mojave Desert in a town on
internationally revered Route 66.
Glad
to be visiting your blog today, Rionna. I’m finding it so much fun meeting new
authors and getting acquainted with their work! You’ve offered me the leeway to
write a “post of your own design”—so I’ve taken your gracious invitation to
answer for myself what I’ve asked all my fellow tour-members to answer. Only
seems fair…What do I like most about the
writing-life?
I love the “art and craft” of writing—creating
a world readers want to visit. A place they eagerly want to visit. Then, there’s the characters. It’s so
much fun trying to bring to life people and places. And then comes the story—how
“those places” impact “those people.” Indeed, creating my fictional worlds brings me
the most pleasure. And I think the preface from my latest published novel, Lies of Convenience—though about a
particular place and set of characters—puts my overarching thought in narrative
form—bringing together what I enjoy doing the most…
The world of this author’s mind is populated with a
multitude of places and characters—many composites, and many imaginary. Occasionally, some of these people and
places escape—intermingle with reality—and
become backdrops and inspiration for tales of mystery.
Situated on Route 66 as it crosses California’s Mojave
Desert, NewTown is a fictional place, but its inspiration is drawn from the
many “small dots” spreading themselves along The Mother Road. This particular
NewTown tale—even though populated with imaginary characters involved in
fictional events—is nonetheless, triggered by the realities of High Desert
terrain, weather, and the fortitude of its very real inhabitants.
CHICAGO, on the other hand, more than halfway across
the country from NewTown, and at the start of Route 66, is on a
capital-letters-scale, a world-renowned, sophisticated, and larger-than-life
city. Indeed, to experience Lake Michigan’s unparalleled waterfront, especially
under the magical shroud of night, with city lights a-sparkling—is to be
bedazzled, awed, and visually imprinted for life.
Besides their shared Route 66 heritage, how do these
places and people—real and imaginary—intersect? Therein lies the story…
Of
course, the “writing life” is not all fun, fun, fun! Promotions is still an uphill climb for me—and I have to admit, my
least favorite part. But, it seems unless you are already famous or infamous, or readers already know
about your work, you won’t get read. And that’s what I like the very most—providing
enjoyment to a reader!
Thanks
so much, Rionna, for giving me the opportunity to spout-off about what I love
about writing. Great meeting you, and I’m certainly enjoying our tour.
Thank you too! I have so enjoyed spending time with you.
Contact and Buy Info from Madeline (M.M.) Gornell:
Madeline’s
books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Smashwords, in
paper and e-book formats. You can visit her online at her website http://www.mmgornell.com , or her BLOG http://www.mmgornell.wordpress.com or email her directly at mmgornell@earthlink.net
Book Giveaway:
Buster, Dobie, and Mugs (the latest) are each
drawing a name from comments for free copies of Lies of Convenience (or a M.M.
Gornell title of your choosing)
Buy
link for Lies of Convenience:
