Here I will answer some of the most common questions asked of me. If there is something else
you would like to know, please feel free to email me at tcmcauthor@hotmail.com
.
What is behind the "T.C."?
Through the years, this question has come up every now and again and I would shrug it off.
T.C. McMullen is my name - honest, truly, not just a pen name. Since taking over leadership of Star Publish, more and
more people wish to know the secret behind the "T.C."
What's in a name? A lot in my opinion and I was named after a very sweet little song just like
hundreds of other little girls back in my day. Problem is, although I looked cute and sweet, petite with long hair and
big brown eyes, I was more happy digging in the mud looking for worms and playing in the barn. I picked up mysteries
and thrillers before romance or "girly" books. Sure, I painted my nails and fussed over my hair, but being thought of
as cute and sweet all the time nearly drove me crazy. Even more when my first book came out and those who knew me by
my first name were truly shocked. In fact, most everyone, except my best friend and mother -- oh, and my girls -- was shocked.
I also hated it when my name was called and - never failed - a handful of women in the room would
stand up. This happened in the classrooms, doctor waiting rooms, even once at the license renewal office. And don't
get me started on how many times I have to specify exactly which one I am to the pharmacist so they make sure they have the
right person in their computers. If I could change my name and never have to be called by its full version again, I
would, but it's just not worth the effort to change all those records. In my reality, I'm known as T.C. and that works
just fine although, I will admit, I get called a Mr. more often than Mrs. this way. For some reason that doesn't rub my
nerves as much as being called my first name. My initials create an image that more accurately suits
my personality. Trust me, even my mother agrees.
I will tell you "C" stands for Catherine. This I don't mind but I'm not really a "Catherine" or
"Cathy" either.
I'm not hiding my name, honest. I'm simply ignoring it in the hopes people won't start calling
me by it all the time again. I already have to hear it from telemarketers (who clearly announce who they are to all
in my house when they ask for me by my full name) and everyone who reads it off of a form or some kind of official papers.
I'm stuck with it in those situations, I realize, and I can live with that. But please, please, realize I'm T.C.
It fits me much better :) And let's leave it at that.
Why do you write so often in Male POVs?
I really don't have an explanation for it. I never thought a thing about it until my first experience
with an agency in 1997. I discovered a female writer taking on a male POV wasn't common and they were quite surprised
to realize I was female because I had created Codey Mathews, the protagonist in my first book, so convincingly. I write
the characters as they come to me, not paying any attention to gender - only to character personality. The owner of
the story is the POV I write. In all my stories, I use multiple POVs. I don't prefer writing one gender over the
other. I just write who fits the scenes.
Where do you get your ideas?
My ideas come from many places and often start with one little incident I read, saw on television, or dreamed.
That one little incident will grow in my mind to a full blown plot. I ask the question, "what if?" while creating the plot.
How long does it take for you to write a novel?
It takes however long it takes to get the story right. I refuse to publish a half baked plot with flat characters
just to get books out there quickly. Whispers of Insanity, my first work, took me over ten years to perfect but it
was also a learning tool. Gone Before Dawn, my second, was begun two years before Whispers of Insanity was published
in September of 2002. Gone Before Dawn went to print in April of 2003. I began the Manipulated Evil series in the summer
of 2003. The Unseen will be released September 2004 because I hope to have all three in the trilogy written before
any go to print. This is the only way I can be certain nothing in the plot will change and reflect on the others.
When did you first realize you wanted to write books?
I've been writing stories since I was very young, probably around age 8. I would spend hours with pen and
paper, drawing and creating fictional lives. Although none of my early works were fit for publication, they did build the
foundation I now use to create my characters and stories.
What is your favorite time of day to write?
I always start new scenes at night, usually after 9 p.m. and work into the wee hours of the morning. It is
this time of day where I can relax and let the creative juices flow free without interruptions from my girls, the telephone,
the laundry, the dirty dishes, or anything of that sort. Some authors say they can only write first thing in the morning when
their mind is fresh, but I've always been a night person. Nothing I ever try to write in the morning comes out well.
Do you have a writing schedule?
Not really. I do try to make it a point to sit down and work after my girls are all tucked into bed, whether
I feel like it or not. I never try to force it though. If I don't feel like starting something new, I go over what's already
written and improve it. By the time I reach the end of a 65,000 word novel, I've read the first half of it at least a dozen
times. This keeps what is happening with the characters fresh in my mind and enables me to weave in tiny details seamlessly.
What inspires you?
Music and nature. Sitting alone surrounded by trees and wildlife is a great breath of fresh air for my creative
mind. My girls have taught me plot twists. Nothing can change the expected way life goes better than a child. But when creating
a mood for my books, I always have the stereo on to my favorite CDs and often one song will strongly influence a scene. Chapter
Seventeen in Whispers of Insanity (Eighteen in the 2002 version) was written to The Calling's 'Could it be any Harder'.
Songs from Dido and Sarah McLauchlan were my favorites while writing Gone Before Dawn. Evanescence and their album,
'Fallen' were permanent sounds for The Unseen. Matchbox 20's CD 'More Than You Think You Are' for Scattered Souls
and 3 Doors Down, 'Away from the Sun' for Scorching Eden.
Why do you write in the suspense and horror genres?
I'm not sure. Even when taking the writing course from Long Ridge Writers Group in the early 1990s I was asked
this question. Yet whenever I tried to step outside the suspense and horror genre with my lessons, my work was weak. When
writing suspense, I was at my strongest. I couldn't see the wisdom in fighting it. When I first sent Whispers of Insanity
to market, I was told a young mother, with my looks, from rural Pennsylvania wasn't saleable as an author of thrillers,
yet I sure did get their attention. Even with rejection letters, I received personal, hand-written notes on a job well done.
And my readers don't seem to mind who I am when they are in the midst of reading one of my books. They just know they like
it.
Do you do an outline for your books?
I don't start with outlines. The outline usually comes near the middle of the book. I write down where
my characters have already been and where they need to go. This process helps me to keep things straight but often the end
of these outlines change more times than I can count before I finish a book. I refuse to lock my characters into a strict
outline. In doing that, I think I would squelch any originality and surprises my characters might come up with.
What comes first, plot or characters?
Characters, no question about it. I know my characters inside and out before I start a novel. I know what
and how they eat. I know how they sleep, what haunts their dreams, what haunts their memories and what creates their fears
and doubts. I know everything about them because they drive my plots. It is their personalities and histories that create
direction for how the plot will unfold. Plot is also important, but without full flesh and blood characters, they will become
puppets in a play. I don't write like that.
Can anyone be a writer?
Sure, anyone can be a writer. Most people are, in fact. I don't know anyone who hasn't written letters to
friends or written in journals. But being a writer is a far cry from being an author.
What's the difference? Every author is a writer, but not all writers are authors. An author is in the business
of writing, and yes, it is a business, a time consuming and often blood curdling business. It's tiring, it's disheartening
many times, and some see it as either impossible to tread through or not worth the effort. I have learned it takes a very
determined person to become an author, a person who is able to let rejection roll off their back without dragging its claws
down their spine. And an author is always willing to learn what's new with the writing and publishing world and change accordingly.
What do you advise a beginning writer to do first?
First, learn and perfect your writing style. Decide what genre you want to write and why you want to write
it. If you want to write just to put your views into the world and other people's hands, you may not be writing for the right
reason. Yes, you can get your views into the hands of others, but it is much smarter to write a book geared toward those you
hope will be your reading public. Writing for them, instead of at them, will take you further.
Why did you publish your books with print on demand publishers?
I spent years with Whispers of Insanity floating around the publishing market, represented by an agent
from 1997 to late 1998. I got many praises on a job well done, but once it became clear who I was and that I had obligations
that kept me grounded to my local area, the interest faded. I was also concerned about what several publishers said about
Whispers of Insanity. Although they said it was a well written piece of work, it was too "innocent" for the thriller
market. What did that mean? It meant they wanted more gore in the book, much more. And I wasn't willing to do it.
Publishing with a print on demand publisher allowed me to keep all the rights to my work. I was able to publish
it how I wanted it without all the shock-value gore (and got many praises from readers for it). There was no huge out of pocket
money demands. Yet there is little to no difference between traditional house trade paperbacks like Random House and POD trade
paperbacks when they are done correctly. I made sure my books were done correctly with only the best editing and designing
used to create them. No, I never edit my own work even though I am very talented at editing others, but I do most
of my cover designs (all but the 2002 version of Whispers)
What is print on demand (POD)?
Print on Demand is a technology. It simply means a book is not printed until it is ordered. There is
no need for warehousing facilities or huge print runs with no guarantees the copies will be sold. There is less waste, there
is less hassle. But the quality of the book is not sacrificed so long as the author does their research and chooses a POD
publisher who knows the business and is able to produce top notch products.
Why aren't your books in all the bookstores?
My books can be ordered from any bookstore. I am listed with Ingram and Baker and Taylor. The brick and mortar
stores (actual buildings as opposed to online bookstores) are much more reluctant to place new titles from unknown authors
on their limited shelf space. And they require a hefty discount from the publisher. They also return many of the
copies they purchase, causing the author not only to buy back the copies but also to pay all shipping. In essence, the
author basically buys their own book, taking a loss. And bookstores rarely keep books on shelves for long before returning
them.
Not finding a book in your local bookstore does not mean the title is not worthy of your time, money,
or effort. Sometimes the reason it's not found is as frivolous as the book not being sized correctly to fit on their
shelves.
Are all POD publishers the same?
No, not even close. If you are considering publishing with a publisher who uses POD technology, please be
sure to do your research. Take time to inspect other books they have published and pay attention to the quality of their cover
work, their formatting, their editing. And you need to learn exactly what they do to help you promote your work. Some publishers
do nothing to help you with the marketing. Some do as little as listing your title with Ingram. Others do much more. But the
cold hard truth is, no matter how you publish, non traditionally or traditionally, authors are finding marketing is more their
job than anyone else's.
