The Eternal Curse Series Blog Presents an interview with author: McCollonough Ceili.
So tell me, who is McCollonough Ceili?
I am an Irish/American who discovered a love for writing when asked by my American mother to pen my autobiography Noria, Since then I have not been able to stop writing, which has resulted in the publication of several books for all ages.
Wow, you’ve written an autobiography as well write fiction books for all ages; I’m very impressed. I can’t imagine trying to write about myself, I’m just not that interesting.
So whacha got for me today?
I have a book that started out as a dream, from there it went to a self guided tour of the history of Ocean lifeguarding, nnd finally ended with the book, “What Happened in Hallandale”. Some of the things you read in said book really happened, others did not. The main reason I wrote this book was so that I would stop dreaming about these character.
Below is what my editor had to say about the book. Which can also be found on the back of the book.
“Dive into a dreamlike world of love, courage, magic, and death. Twelve-year-old Piper can travel to the world of angels and, she learns, through time. Rushing back to the past to correct a terrible tragedy, she learns that there are things you can change – and things you cannot. This tale of love that transcends death, courage that transcends time, and the power of compassion will break your heart and heal it, and then leave you still longing for more.” – Summer Foovay, Editor
Small world, I think. I wrote my book for the same reason. I needed to stop dreaming about those characters. Dreams are powerful things…I love the description your editor offers. It pulls you right in.
So who’s starring is this 2 dimensional script read of “What Happened in Hallandale”?
Piper, a magical child from the modern world is telling the story of what happened when she ventured to 1940s Hallandale Beach Florida. Ms. Piper went to Hallandale to try and stop a terrible mistake, though in order to do this she must break into an ancient Irish tomb and steal a spell.
Oh, so this is a time travel book. I really like time travel stories. I like seeing how people from different times react to the changes.
Past, present, future, is there a rhyme or reason to your writing?
I write whenever and wherever I feel inspired, which basically means that I carry a pad and pen with me always. I also have recording program on my cell phone so I can speak aloud thoughts that come to me during a time when I should not be writing; example: when driving the car. I get most of my ideas from dreams that I have had and the world around me. I spend a lot of the week jotting down ideas, then come the weekend I put them together into a chapter or two.
I am currently working on the sequel to “What Happened in Hallandale”, titled “Awakening the Truth”
That phone app sounds clever; I need to look into that. Glad to hear you’re extending your story into a series; series are fun.
What author(s) has most influenced your writing? Why or how?
I am inspired by a lot of different writers, though when it came to writing “What Happened in Hallandale” I was inspired by the “Real Laurie” Real Laurie is the women for whom the character Lorraine was based on. She was a woman who had to change her name from Lori to Laurie jus so she could get into medical school. She lived in a time when women were not supposed to become doctors. I was also inspired by actress Nancy Valen whom I feel looks a lot like Laurie.
Valen played on the American show Baywatch. Every Time I would see Ms. Valen as Captain Thomas a memory of stories told to me about the real Laurie would come to the surface of my soul. It got so intense that I would find myself watching the show with the sound off and writing most of what became “What Happened in Hallandale” In fact she even inspired the title of the book, the “real” part of my story happened in another place in Hallandale. I discovered that name when I was reading about Ms. Valen.
I hope you won’t take this as an insult since she’s not Irish, but I get a Joan of Arc feeling from this Real Laurie character. I’m liking this story more and more; you just keep adding layers to it.
Whose brain are you just itching to scratch?
Okay this is a tough question. I guess I would have to say Mr. Dick Van Patten, I believe that we younger ones can learn so much from those of his generation, plus I love the light in his eyes, there be a wise soul beneath them.
Good man and a good show, Eight is Enough.
Who is so you and why?
No one that I know of, oh wait my American mom thinks I look like the woman who plays on Bones. Temperance Brennan. I but I honestly don’t see it.
You may not look like the actress who plays Temperance, but maybe you just have Bones vibe about you…but I can kinda see a resemblance.
What’s your ideal reading spot for your next highly anticipated read?
I am at my wee desk in the kitchen of my home, I can hear the washing machine, I just finished eating an orange. The book that is currently on my nightstand is “Dear America Hear my Sorrow” the diary of Angela Denoto, New York City, 1909. It is hardback and I am excited to read it, because it is one of the few books from the Dear America series that I have yet to read. My ideal spot is my bed!
That sounds lovely. It has everything that reading should be: comfort, excitement, anticipation, and your referred reading medium.
What was your favorite book or story, pre-teen years?
The Dear America series was my favorite book series back then along with all of the books written by Betty Ren Wright. I love those type of stories so much but have yet to write one like them me self.
Wow, you read Dear America as a kid and are still reading it now. That’s dedication and it very pure, honest, and nice….
There is more fun and insights to this interview, visit the Eternal Curse Series Blog for the full experience. For more information about this author, McCollonough Ceili, please visit the links below.
Blog: NorianGirl
Amazon Author Central: Mccollonough Ceili
Facebooks: Mccollonough Ceili
Twitter: @noriangirl
LinkedIn: Mccollonough Ceili
Purchase links for “What Happened in Hallandale”: Amazon
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
