Author Interview: Erin McCahan + GIVEAWAY!

How does it feeling being a debut author?I cannot wrap my head around it still. In truth, I feel distinctly detached from all the buzz and the book signings and the author visits. I’m grateful for it. I’m happy going to events, but it’s strange. I can’t explain it any other way than that it feels, for now, as if it’s happening to someone else – no pun intended, but I’m going to work this into a pun someday – and I’m standing nearby watching.

What was the first idea that sparked I Now Pronounce You Someone Else?
The spark came from the collision of three separate ideas:

1. my own alias, Phoebe Lilywhite
2. my shameless fascination with weddings
3. my step-dad, who died before I got a chance to tell him how much I
loved him.

I was working on a story about a girl and her step-dad, but it stalled after just a couple chapters. Once I blended it with weddings and Phoebe Lilywhite, it became a novel.

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing stories since third grade. I began writing with an eye towards publication when I was 22. And only eighteen short years later . . .
But it wasn’t a steady eighteen years of writing and rejection. In total, it was probably more like nine.

Are you anything like the characters in your book? Or did you base them on anyone you know?
No, I was nothing like Bronwen when I was her age. I was so pathologically shy that I rarely spoke in public, and when I did, no one could hear me, and I was pretty much in a constant state of blushing from the ages of 13 to 20.

And I don’t think I could ever write characters faithfully if they were based on actual people. I’d be writing the real person rather than allowing the character I’d created to develop on his or her own. That’s what I mean about faithfully writing a fictitious character.

You're walking down the street - what song is following you?
This is such a fun question. Can I swipe it for my Facebook page? I wish it were the James Bond theme. Running up to the grocery store would be so exciting, then. I’m glad it is not the theme to the Pink Panther, which I’m certain would, in time, make me start walking funny. It’s probably either Come Sail Away or Schoolhouse Rock’s The Preamble.

You sure can! What's one genre you doubt you'd ever write for?
Erotica. Vampire erotica. Vampire dystopian erotica. YA vampire dystopian erotica. And westerns.

Have you experienced any 'rock star' writing moments?
No rock star moments yet, but I ran up to my local Borders last week, looking for a copy of my book – I keep giving all mine away – and after the saleswoman said they were out of stock, she said, “I’ve got to order more because we can’t keep these on the shelf.” And that’s probably from me buying copies. Then she looked at me and said, “You know the author lives in Dublin.” (nearby suburb) And I just smiled and said, “No, I didn’t know that.” I actually don’t live in Dublin, but it was nice that she knew that I’m local.

What's next for you?
Dinner! Put the James Bond theme on; I’m headed to Kroger!

Thanks for stopping by, Erin! If you would like to read my thoughts on Erin's book, check out my review. I'm also giving away one copy of I Now Pronounce You Someone Else.Giveaway is for US ONLY and will end October 31st at 11:59 pm central standard time.

Fill out the form to enter and good luck!

♥amber