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Romance - Time Travel - Contemporary - Inspirational |
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EVANELL Peggy P Parsons Words I Live By: Love is some kind of MAGIC
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Interviews of Evanell (Peggy Parsons)
Tell us something about your new book, Glimpse Of Eternity. My story is about Kacy and Clay who have known and loved each other in prior lives but never had a chance to fulfill their love. Kacy’s fairy godmother convinces her guardian angel to take Kacy back in time to meet Clay, but it takes her a while to figure that out, and even longer for him to believe her. Where did you get the idea for this book? I wish I knew. I’ve always had stories in my head, and sometimes I feel a bit like a conduit. When I’m working on a story, instead of just editing or polishing, which takes up most of my time at the computer, I usually fall asleep thinking about my story/characters, and I wake up thinking about them too. What else do you have in the works and, kind of related, do you work on one story at a time or multiple? Right now I’m working on a contemporary story titled Paper Marriage. It’s about Analyn and Chandler who grew up as next door neighbors and have always loved each other, but Chandler hides his true feelings because he has inherited the genes for Huntington’s Disease (HD). I usually work on one story at a time, but sometimes while I’m polishing/editing one story, I have a new idea brewing inside my head. Sometimes my stories flow from beginning to end. At other times they come out in pieces, and I type them fast so I won’t lose the scene; then I plunk them where they belong. What made you pick the 'paranormal' side of writing? I love reading paranormals. They’re some of my favorite stories. I love seeing how an author introduces paranormal elements, and then has to find ways for their characters to deal with them. Are you a structured writer or do you write by the seat-of-your-pants? By the seat-of-my-pants, and often the story changes after I’ve begun to write it. I guess it matures as it percolates inside me, and I come to know/understand more about my characters. How much time do you dedicate to writing? As much as possible. I think life should be enjoyed to the fullest. When I’m not golfing, playing Mah Jong, visiting with my family--grandchildren, or having fun, I’m generally at my computer. I like to write in the morning when I’m fresh, but often find myself writing/editing at night. I don’t watch much T.V. so when I do those times are special. There’s just never enough time to do everything I want to do. What advice would you give to someone who aspires to be a published author? Join a writers group and/or take classes to learn the basics. Then write and keep writing. Form a critique group with writers who know what’s right and what isn’t. Don’t stop writing. The more you write, the more you learn and improve. And don’t give up. Keep writing. And submit, submit, submit. How did you learn about Wings and what made you decide to come here? From another Wings’ author. We belong to the same writing chapter. We’ve attended some of the same writing conferences, and also critiqued each other’s work. She’s very supportive, as are other writers I know, including authors I’ve met who are associated with Wings Tell us a little about you. I ‘m writing under my middle name, Evanell, because I’ve never used it for anything else. I’ve lived in Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and the U.K. We once owned a home in Zihautanejo (Ixtapa), Mexico with some other couples and I learned enough Spanish to communicate with the cook. I’ve traveled throughout Europe and the U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), also to Australia, Russia, and the Canary Islands. I belong to a weekly critique group, three local writer’s groups, and I’ve sold three romantic time-travel books, all to Wings. Who would you say are your biggest supporters? My husband. He keeps my computer in tip-top shape and always has marvelous suggestions. Even though he doesn’t read or critique my work, he’s my best friend. Also my youngest brother. He writes and we talk about our writing and he has always encouraged me. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is your favorite genre to write in and why? Romance, both historical and mainstream. I think love is some kind of magic and I love reading and writing about it. I don't know why except that I'm a romantic at heart. Were you nosey as a child? Curious, but also a little shy. I think I blossomed after I discovered how friendly and wonderful so many people in the world are. Who was the number on influence for you and why? First it was my sister, Kathy, who listened to me make up stories and tell them at night. Later it was friends, who listened to me read creative school assignments. Then my husband, who encourages me and always makes sure my computer is working. My younger brother, Jim, who also writes, has also encouraged me not to give up. How did you start writing? When I moved to England, I retired and finally had the time. Writing is something I've always wanted to do because I've always had characters in my head telling me their stories. I went out and bought an electronic Brother typewriter that only printed four lines at a time and had to use special paper. (The power in England is 220, not 110). I still have that first 750 page MS somewhere. Maybe someday I'll turn it into three different novels. How many hours a day do you write? As many as possible. Mostly I write when I don't have something else I HAVE to do. Sometimes when I sit down to watch TV with my husband, my characters are more entertaining than what's on TV so I leave the TV and go back to work. Where do you write? In an office? Dining room table? I write in our computer room/office. It's at the other end of the house from the TV, kitchen, family room, bedroom, etc. When I travel, I usually have a notebook handy so I can jot down things as they come to me. Now I have a Laptop, so I can use it in the car or anywhere I go. What was the idea behind Glimpse Of Forever? I had the idea of writing about Kacy's friend (the heroine in my first story, Glimpse of Eternity), and then I read about Queen Victoria's Saucerman, and decided to use him as my greedy wizard. What is your favorite time of day to write... evening, morning...??? I like mornings best because that's when I'm fresh and full of new ideas and enthusiasm, but I write anytime I can. Who are some of your favorite writers? Judith McNaught is my favorite. I like LaVerl Spencer too and regret that she gave up writing. I also like Linda Lael Miller, Penny Jordan, Pat Warren, Jude Devereaux, Joanna Lindsay. The list is probably too long to write. I loved The DaVincci Code by Dan Brown, and it’s prequel, Angels and Demons. Both were fun reads. And... your favorite movie... is???? AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER with Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant. I like all good romantic movies, mostly those that were made during the 1950's and 60's, although there have been a few good ones since then. I'm thinking about "OUT OF AFRICA", with Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. Mostly I guess I like the actors and actresses and I trust them to play in good roles, and not disappoint me. I loved the two with Rock Hudson and Jane Wyman, ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS and MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION, as well as GIANT, with Elizabeth Taylor. I also like the Harry Potter movies as well as "FRODO" and the "TRILOGY OF THE RING". I read THE HOBBIT and the TRILOGY to my sons when they were young. All three of my sons are avid readers. Are you married? A Significant Other? If so... what does this person think of your writing? I'm married and have been for 25 years. My husband is very supportive, and proud that I finally got something published. In retrospect, we both think I should have enrolled in writing classes. The people I've met through RWA Writing Groups have all been extremely helpful, but learning the craft was a long, slow process. Got anything else in mind you'd like to share? Works In Progress? I'm currently working on a mainstream titled PAPER MARRIAGE. It's about a girl who grew up in Utah who marries her best friend, not expecting the marriage to last, although she wishes it would. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW BY: Jaxine Bubis writing as Jaxine Daniels Why do you write romance? Because I believe in the magic of love and happy endings. How long have you been writing, Peggy Evanell? I’ve always wanted to write and started about twenty years ago when I moved to England and no longer worked. It took a while to discover that writing is a craft, and I had a lot to learn about VP, Voice, Goal, Motivation, Conflict, Scene and Sequel, Action, Reaction, Setting, etc. What is your favorite book that you’ve written? I think my favorite is the one I’m usually working on when asked that question, although I must admit I’m partial to one that may never be published because it’s about a Mormon girl. What is your favorite book that you’ve read? Tough question. I love the work of many authors, but Judith McNaught’s stories are some of my favorite, so I guess I’d say Whitney, My Love. I also love time travels, especially those written by Constance O’Day Flannery. What made you write Glimpse of Never Ending Love? When I wrote my first Glimpse story I switched places and identities with the heroine, Kacy (Eternity) and Catharine (Never Ending Love) so I could write about a girl from the past who got transported to the future. After writing historicals, it wasn't as easy as I expected to switch to contemporary. You have two other "Glimpse" books. How are the three related, or are they? Yes, they are related, although you don’t have to read them all or in order as each book stands alone. The first, Glimpse of Eternity, is about Kacy, who is taken back in time to meet the man she has loved and lost in other lives, and dreams about in her current life. The second, Glimpse of Forever, is about her best friend, Jennifer, who is transported back in time to see Kacy. However, an opal, given to her by her true love, guides her to him instead of to Kacy. The third, Glimpse of Never Ending Love, is about Catharine, who switched places and identities with Kacy so she could return to the past. Having lived with Jennifer who helped her adjust to the twenty-first century before she traveled back in time, Catharine turns to Jennifer’s cousin, the man she has known and admired in past lives. Have you ever written anything other than romance? No. If not, are you interested in doing so? Maybe. What would it be? A story with a strong heroine who made a difference in the world. If you could do anything that you’ve never done before, what would it be? Have my three time travel stories made into movies (preferably by Walt Disney, so audiences of all ages could enjoy them). You are so well-traveled. What is your favorite destination and why? I like every place I’ve ever visited, although my husband doesn’t agree. I loved living in England, and would return there every year if I could because of the history, museums, people, theater and all the things you can see and do without having to travel miles and miles. Tell us a little about your "normal" day. It’s easier to tell about my week. I try to keep weekends free to spend with my husband and/or work on my computer. Most Mondays I work on my computer and/or see my son and grandchildren. I golf every Tuesday and Thursday and had my first hole-in-one last week. Yipee! I putt with a putters group on Wednesday mornings (during the winter) and meet with my Critique Group on Wednesday afternoons. On Friday mornings I play Mah Jong. When I’m not busy doing any of the above, I’m usually at my computer. I write early in the morning, late at night and as much as possible in-between. If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Woman: Maggie Thatcher. She’s a terrific woman with a brilliant mind. Man: Robert Redford. He’s awesome and intelligent, plus blond and blue-eyed like my husband. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you like to have with you. Which of your characters do you want with you? Why? First I’d want a computer or notebooks and pens and pencils so I could write. Second I’d like good food-- (any kind of fish would be great--I’d have to eat to survive). Third I’d like a decent bed, or a foam mattress and pillow. I’d like my husband there too, because he’s my best friend. There’s probably some of him in every hero I write about. If I couldn’t have my husband, I’d like any of my female characters because I think they’re like my sister who is my best female friend. Interviewed by Wanda C. Keesey Q. Ms. Parsons, tell us about yourself? Do you have other hobbies or interests outside of writing?
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