CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: New Beginnings by Mary Metcalfe
Thanks to Mary Metcalfe for stopping by today with a Q&A and excerpt from New Beginnings. Stop by the tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I had my first Letter to the Editor published when I was seventeen. The thrill of seeing my name in print was right up there with marrying my amazing husband!
How would you describe your books?
Hopeful and with depth. I really like to explore my characters and see how they react to different situations. I also like to explore contemporary social issues via fiction. And, I do like happy ever after endings; I’m a perennial optimist.
Why was New Beginnings a book you wanted to write?
Carol was the best friend of the central character in Winds of Change, my debut novel. I realized there was something in Carol’s background that had turned her into defining success by her conspicuous consumption (i.e. shopaholic). I wanted to see if she would change her approach to life. So, she became the central character in New Beginnings.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Ramping up to finish the fourth! I wrote/edited/published three novels in a little over a year and probably burned myself out. I’ve given myself a break in recent months while promoting those novels and learning more about readers like and don’t like. Now, I have to get on with it.
What are your favorite genres to read? Top for me is autobiography, followed by Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, police procedurals and anything by John Grisham, who I consider a genre unto himself.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
I want my readers to feel that there is always hope for a better future, despite great losses or tragedies. It’s hard for people to see past the death of a loved one or the end of a marriage. I’d like to bring them that hope.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
If you had asked me that a year ago I would have given a very different answer! I invested enormous amounts of energy and time in my social media platform, including a web site, blog (three times a week at first; now down to about twice a month), Twitter (3,500 followers), Goodreads, Shelfari, Facebook. I found it cut into my writing time and then became difficult to balance with the rest of my life. So, I cut back to what I believe is a reasonable balance. So, while I think social media are important, they should not come at the expense of the balance in your life.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Write every day for at least a half hour. Writing needs constant practice if you want to be a good writer. And, read Stephen King’s “On Writing”, especially the second half. It is the most practical primer on novel writing I have ever read. Millions of readers would agree.
**Excerpt**
“Damn. I don’t have time for this.” Carol Brock stared down at her electric-blue BMW in dismay and growing anger. She’d been completely boxed in by a SUV on one side and a glossy black pickup on the other. Not a chance she could get in either the driver or passenger doors. I’m supposed to show a house in thirty minutes, half way across town. I don’t need this. Then she saw her driver’s side mirror and gasped. It was dangling on a couple of wires.
“What the hell?” Taking out her phone, she pressed on the camera app and started shooting. “Think you can get away with this? Think again.”
She snapped the scene, the vehicles, and their license plates and sent the photos to someone she knew in the Boston Police, with the message: ’Guzzo, you’re my witness. I’m having the pickup towed so I can get in my car.’
As she called for roadside assistance, Carol stamped her feet to try and warm them. It was another cold, wet, gray November day. Gone were the sweet smells and vibrant colors of early fall. While her soft leather boots were beautiful and comfortable to walk in, they were not meant to stand around in. I should call the Fowlers and let them know I’ll be a bit late, she thought and keyed in another number. I can blame it on the traffic.
The tow truck arrived. Within a few minutes, the driver had hitched up the gleaming black pickup and was pulling it onto the truck bed when a loud voice yelled over the grinding whine of the hydraulics.
“Whoa! Wait a minute. What do you think you’re doing? Stop!”
Carol turned to see a very tall, well-dressed man running across the parking lot. She stood her ground and watched his approach, with a smirk on her glossed lips. Great eye candy, but boy, does he look angry. I might enjoy venting on such a magnificent male. If you’re going to have a good mad on, might as well be mad at someone good looking.
As he drew up beside her, Carol looked up into molten hazel eyes that were flashing with anger. She felt a small frisson of fear but brushed it aside. She already had a business card in her hand. Before he could say a word, she held it out to him.
“You ripped off my side mirror. Here’s my card. I’d appreciate yours if you have one. You owe me for the mirror.” She could almost feel the heat of his anger and swallowed a bit nervously. But adrenaline was coursing through her veins. Her emerald green eyes stared straight into his.
“My God, woman.” He looked at her card. “Carol Brock, real estate agent. Well, you’re a real piece of work, Ms. Brock, let me tell you. What gives you the right to move my truck? I could have you charged with theft.”
“Go ahead and try. I’ve already sent photos to the police. I can prove you boxed me in and ripped off my mirror. I’m sure I can have you charged with something too.”
“Well, I’ll be damned. You don’t miss a beat. Photos to the police already.”
Carol watched in amazement as the flashing fire of anger was completely extinguished and replaced with mirth. She was sure the color of his eyes had changed in an instant. Now the brazen man was smiling and laughing at her. Her temper seethed as she fixed him with a look that only a mother could muster.
“I hardly think this is anything to laugh about.” Her voice dripped with disdain as she fixed him with a steely gaze. “I have a full day ahead. You’ve thrown my entire schedule off, and you’ve damaged my car. I’m going to lose valuable time getting it fixed.”
“Okay, Ms. Brock, mea culpa. I did park badly, but I didn’t realize I’d damaged your car. Now I see that I have, and I’m making you late for your next appointment. Can’t argue with you on any of those points. My name is Devin, Devin Elliott.” He held out his hand, which now held a business card.
Carol took the card but refused the offer of a handshake. She couldn’t argue with him. She swallowed her temper reluctantly.
“Devin Elliott, the architect.” Carol knew the name. Anyone in Boston real estate circles knew Elliott and Co., Restoration Specialists. “Well then, at least I know you can afford to pay for the mirror. That honking big truck of yours was a pretty obvious clue, too. The mirror will cost at least eight hundred dollars. It’s articulated, electronic, and heated.” She looked at her phone. “Damn. I really am going to be late. I need to get going.”
“Excuse me?” They both looked over as the tow truck driver leaned his head out of his window. “Where do you want the pickup, sir?”
“Just put it over there, please.” Devin pointed towards the entrance of the lot and then turned back to Carol. “What do you say we get the tow truck to take your car to your dealership? I’ll drive you to your next appointment if they don’t have a loaner for you.”
Carol snorted and put a hand up to smooth her coppery auburn waves. “I do not need a ride, and I am perfectly capable of handling this situation. You’ve been quite enough help already.” She pulled up to her full height. Even with towering heels she couldn’t look him straight in the eye. She thrust her chin up stubbornly.
He smiled down at her. “After seeing you in action just now, I’m quite convinced you can take care of just about anyone or anything. But I don’t think your day will get any better driving around with your side mirror hanging off.” Devin continued his delicate negotiations. “You’ll just get stopped by the police, ticketed, and pulled off the road. Then you’ll be calling for the tow guy again. He’s already here. Why not take advantage of it and save some of that valuable time you just mentioned? Plus, we can get the estimate, and I can pay for it right then and there.”
His small jab of sarcasm was not lost on her, but he did have a good point. “Oh, all right. I accept your offer.”
*Anyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of New Beginnings before January 31 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com will get 5 bonus entries!*
Author Bio:
Mary Metcalfe is the author of three published novels –Winds of Change, New Beginnings, Road to Tomorrow – and currently at work on her fourth. She and her long-time husband live in the foothills of the Laurentians in Quebec,Canada with a small herd of cats and a Canadian Eskimo dog. Their daughter is a published literary non-fiction author.
Links
Web site: www.marymetcalfe.ca
Blog: www.lakefrontmuse@blogspot.ca
Twitter: @MetcalfeMary
Shelfari: www.shelfari.com/marymetcalfe/shelf
Find New Beginnings at:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/QUESaR
Barnes&Noble: http://bit.ly/SRR6BZ
Chapters/Indigo: http://bit.ly/SMiMqJ
