Skip to main content

Interview with Danielle Y. C. McClean, Author of Secrets of Oscuros: The Protectors’ Pledge

Author’s Bio: Award-winning author Danielle Y. C. McClean was born on the Caribbean island of Trinidad and grew up in a home where books were valued and plentiful. Creative writing and foreign languages were among her favorite subjects in school, and she spent hours composing poems, short stories, and skits. Danielle went on to earn advanced degrees in French, Spanish translation, and law and currently lives in Tennessee with her husband and two children where she is also a translator, interpreter, and Spanish teacher. In 2016, her debut novel, Secrets of Oscuros: The Protectors’ Pledge, won a CODE 2016 Burt Award for Caribbean Literature.
What inspired you to write your book?
DM:    I wanted to introduce my children and others to various aspects of my cultural heritage in a fun and engaging way. Writing a story that would incorporate all those elements was, for me, the best way to accomplish that.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
DM:    Paul Keens-Douglas has always been one of my favorite Trinidadian authors and performers because he so perfectly captures our language, culture, and humor. I’m also a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and J.K. Rowling and their ability to so masterfully draw readers into their rich fantasy worlds.

Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and finish your book?
DM:    Yes, The Protectors’ Pledge is my first book. I started writing it in 2006, put it down, picked it up again, and finally self-published the first version in 2015.

Do you write with an outline, or just let it flow organically?
DM:    I work from a very detailed outline. There are times when I deviate from it because the story evolves as I go along, but it is very helpful for me to have a plan for where I am going before I get started.

Do you listen to music when you write? If yes, is there a theme song for this book?
DM:    I prefer to write without music. I frequently read aloud as I write and music would be a distraction because I would want to sing (and dance) along.  

What are the keys to success in getting your book out to the public?
DM:    I’m still working on that myself, but making use of social media; identifying the target audience for your book and pursuing/creating opportunities to get it in front of those potential readers; and working with a publicist have all been helpful for me.

What advice would you give to new authors?
DM:    Edit, edit, and edit some more. Learn from constructive criticism and don’t be afraid to share your work and talent.

How about sharing an excerpt from The Protectors’ Pledge?

“Studying the dark skyline, he wondered why he’d never gone exploring on his own. Granny B wouldn’t have minded, and he wasn’t afraid of the ever-shifting shadows or intimidated by the way the Caribbean sun never fully reached the forest floor. And he certainly didn’t believe all those stories about the Oscuros Forest being a haven for the soucouyant—an old crone who shed her skin at night, turned into a ball of fire, and drank human blood—or the shape-shifting lagahoo who prowled during the dark hours always ready to sink his fangs into his next victim. Those tall tales were for babies and JV was twelve, after all.” (Secrets of Oscuros: The Protectors’ Pledge, 2017).

What’s next for you?
DM:    I enjoy doing school visits and readings so I’m working on scheduling those. I am also writing the second book in the Secrets of Oscuros series.

Where can readers find out more about you and your book(s)?
·         Website: www.daniellemcclean.com
·         Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/danielle_yc_mcclean  
·         Facebook: www.facebook.com/DanielleY.C.McClean/
·         Twitter: ww.twitter.com/Dani_YC_McClean
·         Blog: www.daniellemcclean.com/news-and-events
·         Book buy links: www.caribbeanreads.com/the-protectors-pledge/
It’s been a pleasure having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work. 


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

National Poetry Month’s Feature: Poet Claire Dorsey

Poet’s Bio: Claire Dorsey studied acting at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. She has worked as an actress for almost 20 years Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway, originating roles in Pearl Cleage's  Late Bus to Mecca  at the Judith Anderson Theater and Diana Son's  Stealing Fire  at SoHo Rep. She appeared in an episode of the TV show  The Wire . She worked as an artist-in-residence in NYC public schools and performed her poetry at venues throughout the city.  She collaborated with NYC photographer Kwasi Noire to self-publish a volume of poetry entitled  Rhythms of a Life . Her work appears in volumes 1 and 2 of The Fire Inside: Collected Stories and Poems from Zora’s Den . Claire works as a proofreader and copy editor and is the mother of one amazing daughter.  Readers can learn more about Claire and her work at: Facebook: Claire Dorsey Instagram: kleyrmoon  Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to be a poet? Claire Dorsey: I am one of nine children. I was nicknamed Idy (

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Debbie Stokes, author of The Stranger He Knew

Author’s Bio: Debbie Stokes was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. She has always had a desire to be a published author of a fiction novel, but fear stopped her. She often shares how her story ideas come to her in her dreams, and how she jumps up to write them down. Finally, one day, she pushed past her fear and allowed her vision to come to past. She is now a published author, and The Stranger He Knew is her first book.  Debbie is a former CEO, blogger, and interviewer for her previous women's empowerment blog called, 3 Women Voices, where she shared empowering stories of how people overcame odds to live their best lives. She is also a former contributing writer for FEMI Magazine, a cultural lifestyle magazine, where she interviewed and shared people’s stories.  When not writing, she enjoys singing, dancing, inspiring others, and spending time with family.  Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? Debbie Stokes: That is a funny story. One day, I went

Interview with Jacqueline Seewald, Author of THE INHERITANCE

Author’s Bio: Multiple award-winning author, Jacqueline Seewald, has taught creative, expository and technical writing at Rutgers University as well as high school English. She also worked as both an academic librarian and an educational media specialist. Sixteen of her books of fiction have previously been published to critical praise including books for adults, teens and children. Her short stories, poems, essays, reviews and articles have appeared in hundreds of diverse publications and numerous anthologies. What inspired you to write your book? I enjoy writing romantic mystery fiction. The idea for this particular novel just seemed to evolve organically from my imagination. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? I would have to say reading the Bible was influential. As far as regular books go, I’m a big fan of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Is this your first book? How long did it take to start and