Interview at Word Museum

Jennifer Macaire

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Science Fiction & Paranormal Romance

When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer?

It must be something I was born with, like straight hair. I write, have always written, and when I'm not making up stories I'm writing them down. I've been telling stories since I could talk, and writing them since I learned to write!

Who has had the most influence on your writing over the years?

My mother, an English teacher. She's been instrumental in helping me choose writing as a career (I never thought I could actually make money like this! And she's given me so much encouragement. She edited my first book, and without her, I would not be writing today!

Who was your favorite teacher and what influence did s/he have?

I adored my biology teacher in sixth grade. She was an amazing teacher, and from her, I have a love of science that I've never lost.

What is your greatest strength as a writer?

Perseverance. I know - that's not what you mean - but I think it's very important. (Pig headedness, is another word that comes to mind...) That, and maybe characterization. I love creating characters that come to life.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I see myself in the country - on a small farm, with my husband, chickens, dogs, cats, horses and multiple best sellers lining the bookshelves. (A person can dream!)

When you're 80 and you look back on your life...

She was a good person who was always available and willing to help others. I love helping out, and I really hope that will be remembered.

What are the best tools out there for new writers?

Perseverance! Patience! Willingness to learn! And a good dose of luck. Good luck!

How important do you think villains are in a story?

Imagine a seesaw. If the story is only full of good characters, the story won't move. If only bad, the same happens. It needs both to make that lovely, teeter-totter action and move the story along. The good and bad should balance out, and a "good" villain is hard to find. To study villains, I suggest reading James W. Hall's Bones Of Coral. Dougie Barnes is about the creepiest villain to appear in writing!

Why did you choose to write this particular subgenre?

Time travel has always fascinated me. It came naturally.

Do you tend to see certain themes in your books?

Themes are universal. Shakespeare knew this, and his stories deal with the great themes of life - love, treason, death- but written on a very human scale. I strive to do that.

How do you make your characters real and believable?

They have to be real or else I can't write about them. There is nothing worse than a flat character. Stereotypes always flatten a character - avoid, avoid! Flaws will make someone real, as will angst, humour, (or lack of humour) someone who is shy, who is funny - all this adds to a person. People are very complex and if you can't make your characters come alive, perhaps you're trying to make them too perfect. I can't tell you the number of books I read where the characters are simply props for the plot. A good character driven story will carry over a plot driven story any day. If both are combined - it's heaven.

What tricks and techniques do you use when plotting?

A beginning, middle and an ending with a resolution. It seems simple! I use outlines a lot - I find they help. I don't stick to them though - they tend to shift as the characters take over.

What tricks and techniques do you use when editing?

There is no trick to editing. I use my spellchecker first, and I set it to my own requirements. Then I try to read the whole book out loud. It is amazing the faults you can find when you do this. I'm good in grammar, but I'm a bad speller. I'm not great with commas, and I will not argue with my editor - they know best!

What promotions have you found to have the most impact?

Ads in major magazines. Reviews in good (serious) websites and magazines. Articles written by (yours truly) with a by-line and a bit of publicity don’t hurt. Anything to get one's name out there.

To what writers' organizations do you belong? Have they helped you grow?

I was first member of WWA - woman's writing association. It was fun, but I stopped when the dues got to be too much for my budget. I would go back, but I think I prefer to stay with Internet organizations now. I belong to Critters Critique, Zoetrope All Story, Trace, Word Museum, EPPIC, and EPPRO etc. Etc. I find the support necessary and I've met some Wonderful writers!

Do you have any good luck charms? Listen to music? Or other?

I need coffee, that's all!

If you could write any book you wanted, what would it be?

I would write a book on philosophy. Life fascinates me. People are so interesting - I would love to write about mankind as a brotherhood - as a race - as a species, if you like. The fact that we've divided ourselves into groups according to race, religion, color and language is amazing, and I would like to delve into that huge subject and write a book. Perhaps some day!

Where do you see the market heading in the next few years?

I see electronic books taking off. I see more and more shorter books becoming popular, as the attention span lowers yet again! I see romance books getting a major overhaul as women become more empowered and need better role models. I see women writers getting stronger and writing about more than just love and hate. I think that literature is about to explode - that there will be more interest in the classics and that people will start reading again, instead of playing on the computer and watching television. Values will change, and people will strive towards bettering themselves intellectually using the entertainment system. Since movies and television caters more and more towards lower age groups (and lower intelligence - really, they take us for idiots) I think people will turn more and more towards books.

How do you keep your creative well filled and avoid burnout?

I take long breaks between books. I spend a lot of time with my family.

Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they enhance your writing

I love to ride, to golf, to garden and to cook. Everything I do enhances my writing.

Who are some of your favorite writers and what have they taught you?

I love Shakespeare - his stories are timeless, intelligent, and wonderfully plotted and character driven. Ray Bradbury, for his lyrical writing. Robert Frost, for his clear prose. James W. Hall for his villains. Martha Grimes for her character driven books. Dan Simmons for his plots. (Using the Canterbury tales was genius) and the Canterbury Tales - if you've never read them, they are incredible. The Odyssey and the Iliad are storytelling at its finest.

Do you believe where you live has had an influence on your stories?

I live in France, and yes, it has influenced my books. I've travelled extensively, and I think setting is important to a story.

A few words of inspiration

Perseverance! That's the most important advice I can give. Keep an open mind, learn, read, and don't take rejection personally. Keep your writing separate from your personal life, do have fun, and if it's not fun anymore, stop, do something else, and come back when you're ready to love it again.