Today I am speaking with Tricia McGill. Welcome Tricia, to Fallen Angel Reviews. You have some curious readers that would love to know about Tricia.

Thanks so much for inviting me, Linda. I hope I can answer your questions without boring people too much.

I read Irresistible Challenge and Shrinking Violet and I really enjoyed them. Absolutely awesome. I can tell you put your heart into your books.

Thank you for that too. Yes, my books all come from the heart. I fall in love with my heroes, and laugh and cry along with my heroines and I guess that comes through in my work.

Why not begin by telling us something about your books? Is there a favorite that really touches you the most that you would like to discuss further?

Well, I guess my mainstream, Traces of Dreams, the book that won the RWA Romantic Book of the Year Award in 2003 remains closest to my heart. Not just because it won the award against some stiff opponents, but because this story was based on my mother's life. She brought up ten children during the war years and depression in London, yet instilled a sense of values, morals and ideals in all of us that has stood us in good stead through our lives. My second favorite must be Shrinking Violet, a finalist in this year's R*BY. Will tell you why in the next answer.

What book for you has been the easiest to write? The hardest? The most fun?

Shrinking Violet was most definitely the easiest to write, and also the most fun. This book is written from the heroines POV. Leah just took me on a joy-ride as she got herself into one scrape after another. She's a busybody like me, and strong. I do admire women with strength of character. I've thought on the hardest, and can't think of one that I can really say, "That was the hardest to write." Once I get going on a story I just roll along with it, and enjoy the journey. Perhaps Traces of Dreams took the longest, simply because of the time span it covered and the subject, but it was a labor of love so therefore not hard as such. When I was a beginning writer and would get dejected by rejections my husband gave me the perfect advice which I've always lived by: "No one forces you to write so therefore you must do it because you love it. If you aren't enjoying it then don't waste valuable time doing it."

What about your family, do they know not to bother you when you are writing - or are there constant interruptions?

I must be the luckiest writer around as I live alone. I can write when I feel like it with no interruptions. Even when my husband was alive he used to give me time to write. My little dog tells me when it's meal times or time for a tea break.

What truly motivates you in general? In your writing?

I can't stand being idle and rarely have time to do the thousand and one jobs waiting to be done. I hate laziness and live every day as if it's my last, so need no motivation to get going. Same applies to my writing. I get annoyed because too many things intrude on my writing time these days.

Where do your ideas come from?

Most of my ideas have come to me in the early hours of the morning when I'm half awake, half in dreamland. I usually start with one scene or a plot idea and work from that. I create my characters in my head long before I sit down to start a book. I've always had a vivid imagination and dream several times a night so some of my ideas have come from those dreams.

Do you have an agent or thought about getting one?

I haven't got one currently. I have queried agents in the past, but have managed pretty well on my own. I would like one and have started querying again. Good agents are hard to come by though.

Did you have any disappointing moments after the release of your first book?

My first book was published in 2000, so I'm trying to think if I had any great disappointments and can't think of any of significance. I think the main thing that stands out is the amount of time and effort we have to put into promoting our books. It doesn't really sink in until that day arrives and you realize how much work is entailed in getting the word out there. A feeling of panic sets in. There's my book out there and I need to let as many people as possible know it's worth reading.

What were some of the greatest joys after the release of your first book?

That one's easy. Just the thrill of knowing someone actually liked the book you slaved over enough to publish it is magical. Then there's the thrill of seeing your cover and details up on the publisher's web site. Then the absolute rapture of holding a book in your hands with your name on the front. Then the admiration and pride of your relatives as they tell everyone about this author in their family.

Do you get along with your editors?

I must be the luckiest writer around in this respect as I have never yet fallen out or had cross words with one of my editors. I usually find their advice worth following and to date they have always been right when they suggest alterations or adjustments.

Are you a member of any author groups - RWA, critique groups, etc.?

I'm a member of the Romance Writers of Australia. I only recently left my critique group here in Melbourne. That was simply because of the travel time involved to get to meetings. I run a creative writing class locally, and enjoy encouraging budding writers.

What do you think about book reviews? Do you think they help with the promotion of the book and to get others to search and read your works?

Positively. Even if a review seems mediocre at first glance there is always a quote worth using. I must be fortunate there too, as almost all my books have received great reviews. Reviews such as the five angel recommended read I just received for Irresistible Challenge from Fallen Angel Reviews is such a boost to ones' confidence. There's nothing greater than knowing a reader thinks your book worth such a compliment.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with your readers?

I'm currently searching for new publishers for some of my books due to the closure of two of my publishers, but I still have copies available which can be ordered on my web site

If you could change one thing about the way you write, would you change anything?

I would love to be able to get up in the morning, sit down at my computer and write. I've found through practice that I can't do this. I'm not a morning writer. I wish that I could be more poetic with my phrases. When I find a sentence or phrase in another author's work that catches me by the heartstrings and makes me sigh, I wish that I could produce such prose. But there you go-we should all be thankful for our God-given talents.

Is there one habit you have that you know you’ll never change?

I have plenty. I find as I get older that habits grow harder and harder to break. I must have a cup of tea on rising and without that first cuppa am useless. I must have a good breakfast to see me through the morning. As far as writing I always need to do something like a jigsaw or some other useless pastime before I can tackle my manuscript.

Do you have a website other than www.triciamcgill.com that you would like to share with your readers?

I have a page at Authorsden and also one at BooksWeLove. I'm a member of Authors Unlimited and if any one would like to join my message group they can join here. I only send out infrequent news and information here, so no one gets inundated with emails from me.

For Fun: What do you think was the best appliance invented? Your favorite place to visit? Or maybe would like to visit?

The computer without a doubt (if that can be termed as an appliance). What would we do without them? My favorite place (apart from my imagination, where I love to dwell) would be the elephant enclosure at the zoo. I would dearly love to visit Africa so that I could see elephants in their natural environment.

Thank you very much for sharing time with us, Tricia. It has been charming having you with us today. Good luck on all your works.

Thank you so much, Linda. It has been an absolute pleasure.

Interviewed by: Linda L