Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, KG MacGregor dreaded the summer influx of snowbirds escaping the Florida heat. The lines were longer, the traffic snarled, and the prices higher. Now that she’s older and slightly more patient, she’s thrown in the towel and joined them, dividing her time between Miami and Blowing Rock.
A former teacher, KG earned her PhD in mass communication and her writing stripes preparing market research reports for commercial clients in the publishing, television and travel industries. In 2002, she tried her hand at writing lesbian fiction and discovered her bliss. When she isn’t writing, you’ll probably find her on a hiking trail.
You were a military kid – what was that like?
I think picking up and moving every couple of years made me more pragmatic than sentimental. It also fostered a tremendous respect for soldiers, but from the little girl’s view of wanting all the brave daddies to come home safely.
Has your upbringing had any influence on your desire to become a writer?
Probably not. Pragmatism seems the antithesis of romance writing. But I think the experience of living in different places has boosted my imagination and given me the confidence to try new things.
Who are some of your favourite authors?
Barbara Kingsolver comes to mind. Any single character thread in The Poisonwood Bible could have stood alone as compelling fiction, but she magnificently wove the story through all the women in the family. In the lesbian fiction genre, D. Jordan Redhawk stands above the rest.
What are you working on at present, writing-wise?
My current novel, Out of Love, is on my editor’s desk right now, so I’m jotting notes about future stories in a tablet, trying to hold off on starting something new. I have three stories outlined, but they all need tons of work on characterization and plot before I start turning notes to narrative.
Do you have multiple projects going on at the same time?
Yes, but not usually by choice. When I begin a story in earnest, I like to focus and push through it until it’s off to the editor. Sometimes, the greatest motivator to finish is having another story invading my thoughts.
Do you have a particular line of attack for beginning a new novel?
Attack is such a great word for the process. I generally start with a three-paragraph synopsis of the story, a chapter by chapter outline and character portraits. When I sit down to write the first chapter, it’s as though I can’t write fast enough. Then I always seem to hit a wall. That’s when it feels like real work to be a writer.
When you started writing, did you write the kind of books you wanted to read, or were you writing specifically for a market?
I think many of us got hooked on lesbian fiction because we finally saw ourselves in stories. I wanted to take it a step further and write about the kinds of lesbians I saw in my everyday life—believable characters with ordinary jobs and flaws who faced realistic challenges.
Do you think ‘lesbian fiction’ pigeonholes itself by identifying as such?
Maybe it does, but that isn’t necessarily a bad idea. I would hate to go into a mega-bookstore and have to find the lesbian offerings from among the thousands of mainstream titles, all grouped as romance, mystery or sci-fi. That said, I think the sub-genres, particularly romance, can be very constraining in format. It’s tricky to deliver a satisfying romance that isn’t wholly predictable.
What would you say are the most important things to look at when you are an unpublished writer seeking representation from a publisher?
Every writer has different priorities. Bella Books was a great fit for me because they have a broad distribution network and an editorial policy that gives me ultimate control of my story.
Stumble across any unexpected challenges involved in writing once you found yourself committed to doing so?
The more I write, the more difficult it is to get the word to the page. I’ve been through edits so often that I know what sort of feedback to expect and I try to head it off by scrutinizing every sentence for point of view, misplaced modifiers, active voice, etc. It’s tedious, time-consuming, and sometimes debilitating. Fortunately, it pays off with less time to spend on cleaning up.
What, respectively, are the best and worst things about being a writer?
The best thing is being part of a community that understands that lesbian fiction isn’t the books, but the people who read and write them. The worst thing about being a writer is that I have less time to read.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block?
Oh, hell yes! That’s usually when I lace up my hiking boots and take off on a trail.
Tell us something about KG MacGregor no-one else knows….
No one? Okay…next to writing, the most fun I’ve ever had at work was directing and analyzing election surveys. In fact, I’d like to write a story someday about the behind-the-scenes strategic aspects of a hotly-contested political race.
What do you consider to be your best and worst attributes?
My best attribute is probably perseverance. My worst is definitely my singing ability.
Do you use Beta readers?
I did when I first started writing, but knowing now that I’ll be going through the editing process obviates the need. Once in a while, I will ask someone knowledgeable to read over a passage or story arc that is out of my area of expertise.
How much of yourself ends up in the various characters you create?
Less and less, I hope. It’s difficult to leave behind my sense of humor or way of thinking when I create a character, but I’m working harder to base characters on people I’ve met rather than an idealized self.
What are the fundamental elements of good storytelling?
First is a believable story arc with conflict, climax and resolution. Second is compelling characterizations. Third is surprise.
What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you about the publishing industry?
Find a publisher who wants more than just your book. Get one who wants to earn your trust and confidence by putting out a good product and working as hard as you do to get all of your stories in the hands of readers.
