1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
California-born Oklahoma raised, author Shirley McLain is a retired RN, enjoying her retirement in Sapulpa, Oklahoma writing poetry, short stories, and novels. She has seen much, not only in her travels but in her survey of the human heart as a nurse, and she comes to this historical fiction novel DOBYNS CHRONICLES with a sound sense of appreciation of the terrain of Texas and Oklahoma, the durability of the pioneer men and women about whom she writes, and a special appreciation for Native American history.
Shirley has a strong love of family both past and present. She is married to a wonderful man who spoils her and she loves it. She has two grown children, six grandchildren and twin great-grand sons. Her wish is to pass on this love of family and the land to her family, as it was passed down to her from her mother.
Shirley also has a fur family of four dogs and three cats. Andy is a Cocker, Angel a teacup poodle, Booker is a Yorkie, and Gus is a Pug/Shih Tzu She says it's like living with a house full of three year olds. Two of the cats have been bottle raised and all three are short haired "whatever's." There's never a dull or lonely moment. Someone is always into something
2. Describe your book Shirley's Shorts and Flashes in 30 words or less.
A book of short stories in different genres from love to horror. Something for everyone.
3. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
None of it was particularly hard. I love writing short stories and I had several of them so I put them in a book. Dobyns Chronicles was harder due to having to keep up with a time line, which I didn’t have to do with Shirley’s Shorts and Flashes.
4. What books have had the greatest influence on you?
My two favorite authors are Diane Gabledon with her Outlander series and J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter Series. I like the way they have their characters drag you into the story and you’re so involved in your reading you can’t put it down. They are at the top of their game and I want to be there. They influence me the most.
5. Briefly share with us what you do to market your book?
The majority of my marketing is done on line. Facebook and Twitter and book reviewer’s websites. I try to support the writers when I read their books. I’ve place ads in Newspapers and a few magazines. It is a never ending process.
6. How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
It seems like what I do most of the time now if market my books and of course I read. When I’m not doing that I’m taking care of my fur family and visiting with my children and grandchildren.
7. What are you working on next?
I think I am going to be writing a sequel to Dobyns Chronicles but this one will be about David, Charley’s brother. Right now I’m gathering information and a final decision has not been made.
