Q&A
So tell us a bit about
yourself?
I would love to
and thank you for allowing me to spend time with your Afternoon Booker readers
today and to share my newest release, Cinderella
Busted.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Zoology, which was no help at all when
I decided to write romance novels as a second career. However, my particular
background did afford me several unique assignments during my early career as a
state biologist, which included doing aquatic plant surveys of Florida lakes
and streams by airboat. Many of those off-the-wall assignments provided
background for my future stories.
For example, everything that happened to the heroine in Everglades during her safari through the
River of Grass happened to me at some time during my career: the bug storm,
swimming with gators, the leeches, the heart-stopping airboat maneuvers.
Everything, that is, except getting stranded overnight with a hunky airboat
guide. I never got one of those, so I wrote my own -- an especially sexy one,
if I do say so myself. *wink* I hope you check him out and fall in love with
him — just like I did.
I was lucky enough to spend the bulk of my career as an aquatic biologist
for the Walt Disney World Resort. What could be more magical than driving by
Cinderella's Castle on your way to work every day? I had the fun of working in
the land of fairy tales by day and creating my own romantic fairy tales by
night. I eventually said good-bye to my wonderful "day" job to write my
stories full-time.
At present, I live—and write—on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau
with my horticulturist husband, a spoiled-rotten English springer spaniel
addicted to green olives stuffed with pimento, and a talkative Nanday conure
named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in Angel to the Rescue.
Have you always wanted to
write?
I came late to the world of publishing and had never considered
writing until about ten years ago. I think it was living in the heart of the
theme park entertainment industry that constantly tweaked my imagination and
made me want to write.
This will sound crazy, but I have always seen movie shorts/scenes
running in my head -- even as a kid -- usually when presented with some lengthy
mindless task. [Think lawn mowing, vacuuming, or painting.] Probably stems from
a subconscious need to keep myself entertained. Eventually, full-length features
appeared instead of just a scene or two. I decided to put them on paper and my
writing career began, though my first two novels live quite happily in a desk
drawer in my office.
Is Cinderella one of your
favourite fairy tales?
Of course! Though Beauty and the Beast is my all-time favorite. Of
all the Disney princesses, Cinderella is everyone's -- regardless of age -- hands
down favorite and always has been. Yes, even middle-aged women visit the
Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. *grin* So, it came as no surprise to me when the
Cinderella Busted movie popped into my head.
What inspired this story?
I'm excited about my December release, Cinderella Busted. Not only is this the start of another new
series, but I also am blessed to have a second publisher, Soul Mate Publishing.
This new series brand is: The Cinderella
Romances...fall in love with the fairy tale all over again.
The series will provide unlimited opportunities to retell the classic
fairy tale in modern-day locales with different heroines playing the part of
Cinderella. How fun to get to retell the fairy tale a dozen different ways.
Sometimes you'll know who Prince Charming is at the get-go and sometimes you
won't.
I can't explain why certain movies start running in my head, and I
wrote Cinderella Busted long before
Disney's Cinderella movie came out last spring. You see, my sweetheart is a gardener—though
he would roll his eyes at that and say horticulturist—and
I met him when we both worked at Walt Disney World. [He was the landscape
manager for the opening of EPCOT Center.] So, I had often had movie scenes
flicker in and out of my imagination with a gardener as the romantic heroine.
When I decided to do a Cinderella series, the rest of that movie fell into
place. I'm just thankful the Betting on
Cinderella movie already started rolling, so the wait for book 2 in the
series won't be long.
Tea or coffee?
Tea, only when iced, and 4 cups of coffee daily, all before noon.
Pizza or burger?
I never got pizza growing up, so I never developed a huge taste for
it. Isn't that crazy? So, while I eat and enjoy pizza on occasion, it is never
my first pick. I will always go for a burger.
A random fact about
yourself?
I am one of seven preacher's kids, which probably explains why thus
far in my writing career, I have only written PG-13 romance, safe enough for
teens.
I want to thank Afternoon Booker and their loyal readers for
allowing me to spend time with them today and share stories about my books.
Happy reading or writing to all -- your pick!
About Petie McCarty
Petie spent a large part of her career working as a biologist at Walt Disney World -- "The Most Magical Place on Earth" -- where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job
to write her stories full-time.
to write her stories full-time.
Petie shares her home on the beautiful Cumberland Plateau with her horticulturist husband, a spoiled-rotten English Springer spaniel addicted to pimento-stuffed green olives, and a noisy Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in Angel to the Rescue.
Social Media Links:
Petie, I would've put you down as a tea drinker!
ReplyDeleteDidn't know you were a PK! Sounds like you have a winner. Enjoy your books.
ReplyDelete