INTERVIEW WITH SHIREE MCCARVER

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 pleasure