Q. When did you start writing?

I've been writing ever since I can remember, back to my kindergarten days when I penned my first poem. I always knew one day I would write novels.

 

Q. Where do you get your ideas from?

A. I've written two books that came from dreams, and others that I've come up with while taking a nap. In that place between sleep and wakefulness, I can generate the most interesting ideas. Other ideas might come from a word or a phrase, or a comment made to me. Some ideas come from fascination over a certain subject. Seduced by Magic was spun from my interest of Paganism as well as Celtic mythology.

Q. What is your typical day like?

A. During the school year, while my sons are getting ready for school, I usually check and answer my e-mail. Once my sons are off to school, I normally go to the bookstore coffee shop and write from about 9 to 3 which is when my youngest gets home. I answer more e-mail and perform writing related activities in the afternoon. In the evening I cook dinner and activities are normally centered around family. I try to keep the same schedule during the summer because writing is my career.

Q. Why do you write paranormals?

A. I love the mystery, the magic, the possibilities. I enjoy building new worlds and crafting characters with talents and abilities that we don't have in real life.

Q. What did you do before you became a writer?

A. I was in sales for ten years, and prior to that was in the mortgage business.

Q. Why are your books so sexy?

A. I love the tension, the sensuality, the fireworks between the characters. With every set of characters the level of sensuality is different. The dynamics between real people are always different, depending on their personalities and the situation. It's the same with fictional characters. I enjoy exploring those sexual dynamics and making them come to life.

Q. How can you write adult erotic paranormals and young adult novels?

A. I have a split personality. :-)  Under one name I write YA and under Cheyenne McCray I write erotic romance. Whenever I'm writing a certain world, I become that character or those characters, and they react as appropriate for the situation. When I write YA, my thoughts are on the younger protagonists and where they are coming from and what challenges they have to face. It's the same with erotic romance, but it's a different level because the characters I choose are older and at different places in their lives. The two are completely separate in my mind when I write either genre.

Q. What is the best part of writing and the worst part?

A. The best part of writing is when I'm creating and the world and the words come to me so clearly that my fingers can barely keep up with my thoughts. The worst part is when I get stuck and the story isn't moving the way I want it to.

Q. What is one thing about writers that's a misconception?

A. That writing is easy. Writing is hard work and is a craft that can take years to develop. In my opinion, every new writer needs to read books on writing as well as reading plenty of books in the genre they want to write in, such as paranormals. Writers need to join organizations that will help further their writing education and attend seminars to learn and to network. Writing is a solitary career, and we can't live in a vacuum. We need to get out and to interact with other writers, to find people who have the same interests, and to find other writers we can learn from.

Q. What is your favorite part of the writing process?

A. The first chapter. I love writing the first chapter and getting to know my characters and my world. I love it when everything flies and comes together.

Q. Can you describe what your writing process is like?

A. For the most part I'm an organic writer. Characters are formed in my mind and the story comes together as I write. I always know where I want to start and where I want to end, and it's an interesting journey on the road between the two ends. In some cases I will jot down notes and brainstorm on paper, I'll brainstorm in e-mails, I'll write down brief one-liners of what I want to happen in a chapter, or storyboard using index cards. The first chapter is almost always fully formed in my mind before I sit down to write it. When I'm writing one book, another part of my mind is thinking about the next book. When I'm writing fantasy, I love to put on the soundtracks to The Mists of Avalon, all of The Lord of the Ring CD's, Anna and the King, Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, Pirates of the Caribbean , The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. My all time favorite soundtrack to write to is from the movie Gladiator-it's perfect for writing battle scenes. When I'm writing contemporary fiction involving cowboys, I love the voices of Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Chesney, Joe Nichols, Clint Black and Randy Travis.

Q. Where did you grow up?

A. On a ranch between Bisbee and Douglas , Arizona , about 25 miles from the Mexican border.

Q. Where did you go to school?

A. I majored in creative writing and journalism at Cochise College and the University of Arizona (Go Wildcats!).

Q. What did your mom and dad do?

A. My parents are retired now and my mother quilts, gardens, and has many other projects. My dad whittles, makes violins, and works on putting the family photo albums together.

Before they retired, my father was a fire fighter for 20 years, while also running a water well drilling business. When he retired from the fire department, he continued expanding his business to property development. My mother was a very busy stay at home mom who had three children within three years and it was a wonder we didn't drive her crazy. She always gardened, canned food, sewed, made sure we had regular nutritious meals, and so many other things.

Q. How have they influenced you?

A. They have always worked hard, and their work is always high quality. My father went for the best materials in his business, never using something cheap just to make more money. He takes pride in everything he does. My mom is the same way.

They always encouraged me to write, and they believed so strongly in me that they knew one day I would become an author, something I'd always wanted to do from the time I was a little girl.

Q. Who else influenced you?

A. In writing it is my critique partner, Annie Windsor, who I hold in the highest esteem. Without her steady enthusiasm for my work, her sharp eye, her talent for helping me in areas that were my weaknesses--I don't think I would be where I am today.

Q. What was the hardest part of getting published?

A. Patience and learning the craft of writing.

Q. What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

A. The most important things are to write and then submit. You can't be published if you don't finish that book, or submit it to a publisher! Hone your craft. Read books on writing, take classes including online courses, and join critique groups until you find the right critique partners. Read as much as you can of the genre you want to write in.

Q. What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

A. I like to read, watch movies, and spend time with my family. I love traveling too. The places I'd give anything to go back and visit would be Monaco , and the French and Italian Rivieras. The Bahamas and Hawaii would be nice, too. Actually, I'd probably go anywhere if I got handed plane tickets.

Q. What are some of your favorite things?

A. I love basketball, especially college ball and the University of Arizona men's team. My favorite foods are Thai, Indian, Mexican, Italian, French, Greek, Russian, Austrian, Chinese . . . wow, actually I love it all, and I'll try just about anything new.

Have a question for Chey? Send it to chey@cheyennemccray.com.
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