Featured Interview With Carol McClain
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
Long Island, NY claims me as its native child, but as a young adult, my first husband and I decided we would be organic farmers living the idyllic, hippie life. I believe this concept was shorter lived than our marriage.
For the next forty years, I raised my daughter, taught high school English and remarried in northern New York.
Finally, the brutal cold and heaping snow drove us to beautiful East Tennessee. Here we can celebrate the four seasons while not suffering hypothermia every time we open the door.
Our home is on two secluded acres where our overactive springer spaniel runs wild.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’ve always been a dreamer. As a child, I composed games and plays and made all my peers act them out. This became a money making scheme as I compelled our parents and neighbors to pay us good pennies to watch our performances.
One day, I realized I could write down my daydreams. Although I inspired my classmates to write, my book hit my own slush pile.
I dabbled with poetry and magazine writing until the day I finally knew I could write a novel just like the “big girls” –Jodi Picoult or Sue Monk Kidd. The results were published in DWF: Divorced White Female. It’s a laugh-out-loud romantic rollick.
I now tell everyone I’m a world famous author the world has yet to discover.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
Women’s fiction is the genre I love the most–although I read everything. Aside from Picoult and Kidd, I love Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, and Tosca Lee–all inspiration novelists. Amy Tan and Annie Proulx and Carl Hiaasan (I know–not women’s fiction, but he’s hysterical to read) are also favorites.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
How do you forgive the unforgiveable? Hairdresser Torie Sullivan wrecks her car in a drunken fury and is rescued by the man she brutalized in middle school. Their lives intersect when the rescuing paramedic, Adam Benedict, discovers she is homeless. With tragedy infiltrating his life, he enlists his girlfriend to help him with Torie. The three discover they’d never find peace until they’s learned to forgive. Furthermore, their ability to let go of the past can only be accomplished with the help of each friend.
The book was one of the quickest works to complete. It took me about a year. The protagonist, Torie, had been molested as a child–with her mother’s full knowledge. We’ve seen people who’ve faced this horror on the nightly news. If bitterness eats them up, they never find peace. Forgiveness has nothing to do with condoning the actions of others. It has everything to do with setting ourselves free.
One reader said this was a life-changing book. Others say it’s a 10/10. Of course, I’m not bragging or anything.
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