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FIONA MCGIER ( Cont .)
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing ? Probably a lot more than I acknowledge . I ’ ve always thought about sex constantly , wondering about how any man I find attractive would be in bed . So my characters are very much interested in discovering how compatible they are sexually with someone they find interesting . Great sex ensures a healthy relationship between consenting people . The decision to become monogamous is huge , and not to be done without taking each other for “ a test drive .”
Tell us about your latest book . What motivated the story ? Where did the idea come from ? Where do your story ideas usually come from ? Two For Tuesday is very loosely based on my experiences in college . I was a rebel who really enjoyed the freedom of being unattached , living in a town filled with unattached men . I was a feminist even before I knew that was the word for expecting to be treated as equal to any man . And I was determined to not be a sad old woman someday , mourning my “ wasted youth .” I didn ’ t waste mine — I enjoyed every minute ! And I ’ m often amused by my memories from back then .
Are you in control of your characters or do they control you ? Once I ’ m in the throes of writing a book , the characters rule . They talk to me , show me
INTERVIEW scenes of their lives , and remind me , even when I ’ m in the shower — or sometimes sleeping — that their story needs to be told so they can live in other people ’ s heads as well as mine .
MFRW : Hunky heroes or average Joe ?
FM : Average Joe — I learned a long time ago that being sexy is more a function of your personality and your confidence — and not how much money you have , or how famous you are . I read there are at least six people on this planet that would be great spouses for each of us . The trick is to find one of them and discover if the feeling is reciprocated . That ’ s what I enjoy most about writing and reading romance — that realization that you both feel the same way . Falling in love is such a fun ride !
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What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work ? I try to create realistic people , even when they ’ re vampires or werewolves . I hope readers empathize with them , understand why they act the way they do , enjoy falling in love along with them , and remember them .
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