Guest Author: Fiona McVie

A Poet Who Interviews other Authors

By Jeff Salter

I don’t recall exactly when I encountered Fiona McVie, but it was fairly early in her process of collecting interviews, so I’ll claim I was among her first 10-15%.  [Maybe she will remember.]

But I do remember thinking what a cool idea it was to collect all this info about the writers and what they write.  At that time, I had no idea Fiona would be looking at nearly 2000 interviews accumulated by the end of this year!

So I asked Fiona to trade sides of the table, for a change, and let me interview HER. Here’s the result:

— * — * —

Hi I am Fiona; I am a 50 year old mum and granny. I was born in Germany (due to my father having been in the Army) but now live in Scotland which I love. I run a blog where I share interviews I do with authors. I love walking, reading, and writing poems.

I asked Fiona for one sample of her poetry (which she really likes)

I wrote this after a first date with my childhood sweetheart:

First kiss

Here,
now.
Will it be tonight?
Here,
beneath the
smoky moonlight?
Will he?
Will I?
He smiles.
Oh my.
Oh.
My.

He leaves with a wink
and I wave goodbye.

— * — * —

And also for one sample of her poetry (which her readers really like)

This was done for Fathers Day back in the 70s.

Hero

You are my hero, Dad
You’re my secure foundation.
When I think of you, I’m filled with love
And fond appreciation.
You make me feel protected;
I’m sheltered by your care.
You’re always my true friend; and Dad,
When I need you, you’re always there.
You have a place of honor
Deep within my heart.
You’ve been my superhero, Dad,
Right from the very start.

2ed of June 1940 to 31^st of December 1921 — RIP

— * — * —

— * — * —

Here are the interview questions I asked Fiona:

1-A. When you began interviewing other authors, did you have any idea how many interviews you’d accumulate in the span of these 18 months?

No, never thought it would get this big or if so many authors would say yes to me. Now authors are emailing me asking me to interview them and I hope to be near 2000 interviews by the end of this year. The authors out there are great and so nice and I love helping promote them.

1-B. Do you have any plans to publish this vast collection of interviews anywhere besides your blog?

Have not thought about it, but maybe one day I could publish them in a big book or two. What do you think? 😀

2. Have you ever encountered people who seem unable / unwilling to comprehend that writing poetry is something you are driven to do?

No, not yet. Most people understand why I write poems and it has helped me a lot when I suffered from depression a few years back.

3. If you were not a poet, can you imagine what else you might do to express the creativity within you?

I love cross stitching and latch hook rug making, so I use that as creativity outlet.

4. Give us at least one example of someone who has contacted you and expressed how much your poetry meant to them.

A few people have loved a poem I wrote when I was depressed, as they can see the change in me from when I wrote it to now. But I am not longer that person that felt alone and low.

5. Of the many people you’ve met and corresponded with, is there one question which you’ve WISHED had been asked of you … but never has been asked?

If you could go back in time would you change any thing?

6. What’s your answer to # 5 above?

I thought of this many times. I think there is only one thing I would change — I would have spent more time with my dad near the end and told him I love him, he’s been gone 22 years and I still miss him.

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Links to where you can find her 

My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/296929683692278/

My Blog: www.authorsinterviews.wordpress.com

My Twitter: @InsprationForum