LRC Featured Author interview with C. Lee McKenzie (

 

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-The Twitter version: tell us about your book in 140 characters or less.

A suicidal teenager and her cynical grandmother unite to save a doomed horse and save themselves as well.

--How did you get the idea for the story?

I read an article about teens who cut themselves and it nagged at me for several months. How could young people have to self-inflict pain in order to feel something--in order to have some control over their lives?  I just knew I had to write something about my reaction to the story, but I didn't have any idea it would be a novel. Then one day it was.

--Which character would you most/least like to have dinner with?

I'd love to have dinner with Kenny and hear more of his stories. I know he has many of them and that some would be difficult to hear, but like all people with shrouded pasts he fascinates me. 

--What are some of your favorite books?

Every time I have to choose a favorite book or even several I go in circles. Novels: Anything by H.S. Hinton? Norris? Austen? Or how about my favorite essayist, E.B. White? You can see I have an eclectic set to choose from. In the end I have to say I have so many favorites and I look forward to finding more each time I pick up a book.

--Do you still have much time to read?

Not as much as I'd like. It seems as if writing has taken over a lot of my reading time. Still I do read, but instead of taking the time during the day, I'm apt to end my day with a good book just before I go to sleep.

--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or release dates?

The Princess of Las Pulgas is supposed to be out this month, but she better hurry because she only has four more days before 2010 is history. 

I've just wrapped up another YA which is still not really titled. This one will have a male protagonist. Somehow it just turned out that a boy worked as the main character in this this story. I haven't submitted this one one yet, so there's nothing to say, except I hope someone likes it enough to give it a shot at being published. As to teaser here's a short synopsis: Hutch Mc Queen, isn’t stupid; he isn’t a bad boy either. Shackled by poor vision and poor reading skills, he squeaks through classes with his talent for eavesdropping and memorizing what he hears. For almost sixteen years he’s been trapped between an abusive mother and an absentee father. As he struggles to find a way out, he lands in one mess after another. Then Maggie happens. A retired school teacher, whose “tough love” never allows one of her pupils to fail, she’s determined to give Hutch the way out that will work. But she may not have time.  Alzheimer’s disease is steadily stealing her keen mind.

--If a fairy godmother told you your life could be like a favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?

That's easy. I'd pick Alice in Wonderland. What a glorious adventure that would be. I'd love to talk to the caterpillar and the Cheshire Cat, play croquet with the Queen of Hearts or take tea with the Mad Hatter. I've always wanted to be Alice for a day. Twenty-four hours would be heaven.

--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote?

I can't have any music on when I write. And while I love music and enjoy it often, it doesn't inspire my writing. Now, coffee, yes. That's always a good way to kick start a writing morning.

--If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Flight. I'd love to soar over the mountains and skim the ocean's surface. Aerial views are so spectacular and exciting. They jiggle your brain and make you see things differently. If I could I'd be a Maximum Ride kind of kid.

--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time?

I practice yoga. I hike. I love to dig in the dirt and see things I plant grow. Those are three things I do when I'm not writing.

--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers?

I suppose I'd like to say thank you. I appreciate when people take their time to sit with my books and read them. Those that take even more of their precious time and write reviews deserve hugs. As a writer I spend a lot of time alone, so feedback on what I've produce is greatly appreciated.