ABOUT MEG LACEY
Meg wrote her first novel in the sixth grade, her own version of a classic historical romance. However, her writing career didn’t last. Over the years, she’s been an actress, director, producer, creative director, copywriter, creative dramatics teacher, mime, mom, college instructor, and a school bus driver. She’s formed, and worked as a Vice President and as CEO of, two creative marketing and media companies in the Midwest. She’s worked in all media, from network cable programming and corporate initiatives; to games and interactive websites. Through it all, she has always returned to writing.
She has written for Silhouette and Harlequin, and you can find her titles available in digital format at any online bookstore.
Her new paranormal romance series, Tales of the Sparrow, will be published by Imajinn Books, with the first book, The Sparrow and the Hawk, available September 30, 2012.
Her new contemporary romance: Million Dollar Mistake, is available October 23, 2012. It’s the first book in the Million Dollar Men series.
Visit Meg Lacey: at www.meglacey.com
Email Meg at: meg@meglacey.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/meglaceybooks
The Interview
Could you please tell us a little about your book?
“Tales of the Sparrow” is a humorous, paranormal romantic series set in the future, when the veil between this world and the next had been stripped away — a time when magic, myths and mystical creatures were not only possible but also normal. The first book is “The Shadow and The Hawk.”
Jillie Harte, the Sparrow, a documentary film maker, is an agent for the NAS (Normal, Abnormal, Strange) Agency. She must find The Carmaletta Choker before it destroys the world. To get close to Franklin Doherty, suspected of having the choker, Jillie is producing a film on “Decoration, Fashion and Accessories Throughout History,” featuring Franklin’s antique collection.
Like the Sparrow, Griff, aka the Hawk, Jillie’s new cameraman, needs to retrieve the choker. As a shapeshifter, he feels certain of success. But he doesn’t bargain for a sassy, sexy redhead—and for his urge to settle their differences in bed.
Now, Griff and Jillie, must overcome dark forces, and face their developing relationship. And they thought saving the world was hard!
Who is your biggest supporter?
My family, my three daughters and my husband, and my long-time friend, Robin.
Your biggest critic?
Myself. I am harder on myself than anyone else could be.
In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?
I certainly have. I believe that becoming or being a good author is directly related to how much you are going to put in on it. I’ve spent the last few years working on regaining my confidence and on learning more about plotting and about the industry. Seminars, research, professional writing organizations and DVD of conferences are ways I keep learning.
Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?
My mother. She loved to read, and in every spare moment she would sit down with a book. She told me that books could take you to unfamiliar worlds where you meet unfamiliar people. She would also tell me and my brother stories, and I wanted to share stories also. I wanted to touch another life like she has touched mine.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on three new projects. The first is another book for Imajinn Books for the Tales of The Sparrow Series, titled “The Sparrow and The Vixens Three.” It’s a continuation of “The Sparrow and The Hawk” but is also a stand-alone novel.
Next I’m working on two new romance/romantic comedy projects for Samhain Publishing and Entangled Publishing.
Do you have any advice for writers or readers?
For writers: . I believe in the 3D method.
Determination-want it badly and work your tail off to get it.
Discipline-learn all you can and get it done in a timely fashion.
Dump-dump your butt in a chair and stay there until you’ve finished what you need to accomplish for the day.
For Readers: Step out of your comfort zone. Try something new, try an author you’ve never read before, try a genre you’ve never read, stay open to new ideas and new presentations. Most of all when you like something spread the word.
What are some of your long-term goals?
Become more prolific, producing more each year.
Better name recognition, which leads to better sales.
Continue to make each book better than the last.
What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?
I don’t think I’ve yet had my greatest achievement. I do know getting published was a huge achievement when one considers the statistics of manuscript submission and the tiny percentage most publishing houses accept each year. As for the rest, I am very pleased to have made people smile and laugh as they’ve read my books.
What do you feel is your biggest strength?
My sense of humor and my skills with dialogue and characterization. This comes from my training in theatre, in acting and directing.
Biggest weakness?
I think my biggest weakness is plotting. It doesn’t come easily to me. Plot comes from character action, and I don’t have a difficulty there, but if the book is particularly plot intensive such as a mystery, then I have to study a lot of plot books again to get my ducks in a row. I generally use a screenplay based plotting technique and then I can decide what incidents make up the key moments in the book. This helps me see the book’s narrative flow more successfully.
You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?
James Herriot- “All Creatures Great and Small.” This is a book about the daily adventures of a vet in Yorkshire, England in the 1930’s. One critic called it “the happiest book of the year.” It is full of humor, sharp characterization of people and animals, evocative description manages to be witty, charming and touching all at the same time. The author is one of those writers whose observation skills and ability to interpret life situations seems to come naturally. No matter how many times I read it, I always find something new. It was the first book I reached for after 9/11.
What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?
4 key things:
Don’t take life so seriously.
Nobody’s perfect, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
Keep learning and growing your skills and your relationships,
Keep stretching your imagination every day.
ABOUT THE SPARROW AND THE HAWK
Jillie Harte, AKA the Sparrow, a filmmaker, is an agent for the NAS (Normal, Abnormal, Strange) Agency. She must find The Carmaletta Choker before it destroys the world. To get close to Franklin Doherty, suspected of having the choker, Jillie is producing a film on “Decoration, Fashion and Accessories Throughout History,” featuring Franklin’s antique collection.
Like the Sparrow, Griff, AKA the Hawk, posing as Jillie’s new cameraman, needs to retrieve the choker. As a shapeshifter, he feels certain of success. But he doesn’t bargain for a sassy, sexy redhead—or for his urge to settle their differences in bed.
Griff and Jillie must overcome dark forces, and face their developing relationship.
And they thought saving the world from evil and chaos was hard!!!!
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