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Above The Fold - July 26, 2010
McCARTNEY GREEN
Inspired Author & Activist
McCARTNEY GREEN was born in Philadelphia but spent the majority of her childhood and adult life in Atlanta. She married young and gave birth to seven beautiful children, and like a lot of women, she lost herself under the labels of wife and mother - but she found herself again when she found writing. The moment she sat down with a pen and a spiral notebook (because they were too poor to own a computer), she knew she'd found her passion. In her own words: "Writing is my absolute bliss. When I'm writing I'm happy. When I'm writing I'm fulfilled."
That first little love story that McCartney began in that notebook turned into many notebooks, and she had no idea when she began that story that she'd have an epic (those notebooks eventually translated into 1500 typed pages!) At the time, she knew nothing about the publishing industry, so when she approached a publisher with her giant manuscript, she was extremely indignant when they laughed at her. When she became a member of the Georgia Romance Writers, though, she told them about her original giant manuscript. An author who was speaking to the group about getting their novels finished encouraged them to write just five pages a day, then she pointed her finger at McCartney. "Except you," she said sternly. "You take away five pages a day. Unfortunately, not all are as prolific as you."
McCartney did what she said. She took away and took away and finally had it down to 500 pages, but it was still too long for a first novel. Many writing classes and seminars and discussion groups later, she moved on to another story. And, being prolific, another story, and another and another...until finally the "virtual world" of the Dandelions Series was born.
McCartney is an advocate for the empowerment of women, and her novels tend to address serious women's issues
To learn more about McCartney, visit her website at:
www.mccartneygreen.comBOOK VIDEO TRAILER:
A Place Called Home
(McCartney Green)
A Place Called Home
(McCartney Green)
Official Apex Reviews Interview: McCartney Green (A Place Called Home)
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, McCartney. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book with our readers.
McCartney Green: Believe me, the pleasure is all mine!
AR: What inspired you to craft this quite touching, heartrending tale?
MG: I'm always looking for examples in real life that I can use to add a little romance and turn around into a "happily ever after." And so, I have a friend who'd attended like, 13 schools during the course of their life, didn't really know her grandparents, but longed to have a "Walton" type life. She felt alone in a sea of people. She was down and depressed and didn't know what to do to be happy. I suppose her story was my inspiration.
AR: Was it difficult for you to write about such disturbing topics as incest, abandonment, and murder?
MG: Heck no, lol. No really, all kidding aside, writing those things gives me the opportunity to make everything all better later. I find myself sometimes "playing God" when I invent a character, bring them into existence and then decide all the little things I'm going to do with them...or to them. On another note, there are so many disturbing things actually happening out there in the real world and I believe that writing about them, bringing them out in the open and seeing how someone handles them, can help the real life victims. I especially address this in Dandelions Never Die where I help victims of rape and Four Days where I address child abuse and it's affect on the adult victims. The entire Dandelions series is based on helping women to overcome trauma in their lives and to find joy.
AR: Is Lisa based on anyone you know or have known in real life?
MG: Her gorgeous red hair is based on how my granddaughter will look when she's all grown. She's 4 years-old and has these great long, voluptuous red curls all the way to her waist. Lisa's other qualities, beauty, strength, feistiness, kind heart and definitely her mouth, are based on my daughters.
AR: What is it about Chaz that draws Lisa to him so?
MG: First off, it's just plain old chemistry. She wakes to find a hunky, blond cowboy hovering over her. Who could blame her for being attracted? Then she begins to compare Chaz with her 'ex' and his masculinity wins hands down. She sees how he's been taking care of her grandmother, which raises him significantly in her esteem. Inwardly, she knows there is something different about him. His need to help, to protect those he loves, his loyalty to family and neighbors, it all makes her realize he is exactly what she's been craving.
AR: Please share more with our readers about precisely what Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT's) are.
MG: EFT is a phenomenal technique that has had tremendous results. If you were to google for an EFT practitioner in your area you'd be surprised to find several. They've found that your energy points on your body (the same used in accupuncture and accupressure) are connected to your emotions. By tapping on places on your body, for example; eyebrow, side of eye, under eye, upper lip, chin, collar bone, under the arm, crown of head, and making certain statements at the same time, one can align their energies and release old traumas, fears and emotional blocks. People are using it for just about everything now. Curing a headache, PTSD, having a bad day, menstrual cramps, making money, losing weight... curing diseases... because we all have emotional blocks that stand in our way.
AR: What kinds of responses have you gotten to the tale thus far?
MG: I've had such wonderful reactions and responses from my readers. I've had some readers who've said it is the best one yet...that is, until they read the next one, lol!
AR: Is there a central message that you'd like readers to take away from the story?
MG: I'd say there are several. No matter how bad things get, don't give up. When things go bad it's always good to go back to your roots and sort things out. Follow your heart, which is that still small voice, and life will take you on a wild joy ride. Check into EFT. And most importantly, don't marry a man who goes to bed with your mother! :)
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with CreateSpace?
MG: I love CreateSpace. They have been helpful when I need them to be, and they are changing the publishing world, which I believe is in definite need of an overhaul. There are so many undiscovered authors out there, so much talent, and CreateSpace is a wonderful tool.
AR: In addition to being an author, you're also actively involved with the group Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV). Please share more with our readers about your endeavors with that organization.
MG: I'm so amazed that still, right here in America, so much of this occurs. Did you know that Every 9 seconds a woman is battered in the United States? That one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime? That homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women? It's not the popular cause everyone wants to talk about. It's not AIDS or cancer, feeding the hungry or housing the homeless. It is however, a measurement of the evolution of man, (how a civilization treats their women, children and elderly) and we need to address the issue. We need to teach our children. Teach our boys to love, respect, honor and protect women. Teach our girls their worth. Okay, I'm stepping down off my soap box.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
MG: Please visit my website at www.mccartneygreen.com or go to www.padv.org and get involved.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
MG: I love to hear from everyone. You can email me directly at mccartneygreen@gmail.com, dandelionspublishing@gmail.com or visit me at www.mccartneygreen.com.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
MG: Writing love stories is my absolute bliss and I would like to invite everyone to check out the Dandelions Series for some amazing tales, some unforgettable characters and to join in the fun. But don't take my word for it. Check out my website and read the reader's comments. There have also been some comments posted on Amazon...by people I don't actually know! My books are available on Amazon.com, on Amazon's Kindle and can be ordered through most booksellers.
AR: Thanks again, McCartney, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!
Apex Reviews: Thanks for joining us for this interview, McCartney. We're looking forward to sharing more about your book with our readers.
McCartney Green: Believe me, the pleasure is all mine!
AR: What inspired you to craft this quite touching, heartrending tale?
MG: I'm always looking for examples in real life that I can use to add a little romance and turn around into a "happily ever after." And so, I have a friend who'd attended like, 13 schools during the course of their life, didn't really know her grandparents, but longed to have a "Walton" type life. She felt alone in a sea of people. She was down and depressed and didn't know what to do to be happy. I suppose her story was my inspiration.
AR: Was it difficult for you to write about such disturbing topics as incest, abandonment, and murder?
MG: Heck no, lol. No really, all kidding aside, writing those things gives me the opportunity to make everything all better later. I find myself sometimes "playing God" when I invent a character, bring them into existence and then decide all the little things I'm going to do with them...or to them. On another note, there are so many disturbing things actually happening out there in the real world and I believe that writing about them, bringing them out in the open and seeing how someone handles them, can help the real life victims. I especially address this in Dandelions Never Die where I help victims of rape and Four Days where I address child abuse and it's affect on the adult victims. The entire Dandelions series is based on helping women to overcome trauma in their lives and to find joy.
AR: Is Lisa based on anyone you know or have known in real life?
MG: Her gorgeous red hair is based on how my granddaughter will look when she's all grown. She's 4 years-old and has these great long, voluptuous red curls all the way to her waist. Lisa's other qualities, beauty, strength, feistiness, kind heart and definitely her mouth, are based on my daughters.
AR: What is it about Chaz that draws Lisa to him so?
MG: First off, it's just plain old chemistry. She wakes to find a hunky, blond cowboy hovering over her. Who could blame her for being attracted? Then she begins to compare Chaz with her 'ex' and his masculinity wins hands down. She sees how he's been taking care of her grandmother, which raises him significantly in her esteem. Inwardly, she knows there is something different about him. His need to help, to protect those he loves, his loyalty to family and neighbors, it all makes her realize he is exactly what she's been craving.
AR: Please share more with our readers about precisely what Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT's) are.
MG: EFT is a phenomenal technique that has had tremendous results. If you were to google for an EFT practitioner in your area you'd be surprised to find several. They've found that your energy points on your body (the same used in accupuncture and accupressure) are connected to your emotions. By tapping on places on your body, for example; eyebrow, side of eye, under eye, upper lip, chin, collar bone, under the arm, crown of head, and making certain statements at the same time, one can align their energies and release old traumas, fears and emotional blocks. People are using it for just about everything now. Curing a headache, PTSD, having a bad day, menstrual cramps, making money, losing weight... curing diseases... because we all have emotional blocks that stand in our way.
AR: What kinds of responses have you gotten to the tale thus far?
MG: I've had such wonderful reactions and responses from my readers. I've had some readers who've said it is the best one yet...that is, until they read the next one, lol!
AR: Is there a central message that you'd like readers to take away from the story?
MG: I'd say there are several. No matter how bad things get, don't give up. When things go bad it's always good to go back to your roots and sort things out. Follow your heart, which is that still small voice, and life will take you on a wild joy ride. Check into EFT. And most importantly, don't marry a man who goes to bed with your mother! :)
AR: How has your publishing experience been thus far with CreateSpace?
MG: I love CreateSpace. They have been helpful when I need them to be, and they are changing the publishing world, which I believe is in definite need of an overhaul. There are so many undiscovered authors out there, so much talent, and CreateSpace is a wonderful tool.
AR: In addition to being an author, you're also actively involved with the group Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV). Please share more with our readers about your endeavors with that organization.
MG: I'm so amazed that still, right here in America, so much of this occurs. Did you know that Every 9 seconds a woman is battered in the United States? That one in four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime? That homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women? It's not the popular cause everyone wants to talk about. It's not AIDS or cancer, feeding the hungry or housing the homeless. It is however, a measurement of the evolution of man, (how a civilization treats their women, children and elderly) and we need to address the issue. We need to teach our children. Teach our boys to love, respect, honor and protect women. Teach our girls their worth. Okay, I'm stepping down off my soap box.
AR: How can our readers learn more about you and your ongoing efforts?
MG: Please visit my website at www.mccartneygreen.com or go to www.padv.org and get involved.
AR: How can they contact you directly?
MG: I love to hear from everyone. You can email me directly at mccartneygreen@gmail.com, dandelionspublishing@gmail.com or visit me at www.mccartneygreen.com.
AR: Any final thoughts you'd like to share?
MG: Writing love stories is my absolute bliss and I would like to invite everyone to check out the Dandelions Series for some amazing tales, some unforgettable characters and to join in the fun. But don't take my word for it. Check out my website and read the reader's comments. There have also been some comments posted on Amazon...by people I don't actually know! My books are available on Amazon.com, on Amazon's Kindle and can be ordered through most booksellers.
AR: Thanks again, McCartney, and best of continued success to you in all your endeavors!