Guest Author: Raven McAllan

Hello everyone! Let’s give a warm welcome to my fellow Breathless Press Author and guest this week…Raven McAllan.

Hi all, so nice to be here….I’m in a dancing mood. No don’t worry, I won’t.

If you could do anything you wanted as a job or a hobby what would it be?

If you’d have asked me that two years ago I’d have shouted to be published. If you ask me today, it’s almost the same. With the addition of one word. Again.

And if you had asked me even two and a half years ago if I ever thought I’d be able to put author in the occupation bit of any official form, I’d have asked if you felt okay and offered you two Aspirins.

Now, oh wow it gives me goose bumps when I get asked occupation and I say I’m an author. mid you it took me a long while before I felt I could. Even now I have to pinch myself and tell myself firmly, I am an author. I have books out. That people read. And comment on.

chair swivel jiggle moment

You know it really is a case of have mac will travel. My lovely DH bought me a MacBook Air as our old laptop was heavy, and my fibro made it hard to use. He came home with it, and daughter and her boyfriend were up.

DH—here’s a present

Me—oh wow thank you

Daughter—Do you know what that is?

Me—A laptop

At which point she rolled her eyes and told me exactly what I had. And it’s great. It’s well travelled, and used in a variety of places. On a plane, train, bus or boat. On a balcony over the Indian Ocean, or the caribbean. In a shaded garden in Australia, or by a pool in South Africa. Looking at mountains, rivers and cityscapes. Usually with a glass of wine in one hand. I love it. (All in the name of research of course)

This time two years ago I was a nervous shivering excited wreck. I was almost a published author.

Here I am two years on and in the same state—or very nearly.

If you’d’ve told me then, that now I’d still be writing, still being published and have over fifty stories out there with my name on them, I’d probably asked you where you got the magic mushrooms from.

However here I am, and yes I have and oh how fabulous it is.

Around three years ago, I was away from work, bored, sore and wondering what on earth I could do other than read. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading, but I was rapidly running out of books.

Then someone suggested I went onto Facebook, and lo and behold (sorry dramatic or what?)I discovered a writing competition, at which I hasten to add I was rubbish. But through it I met a lot of other wannabe authors and then, became part of my crit group UCW.

The rest as they say, is history.

When I started I had no idea how I wrote, or even if I could. Let alone what. I’ve been oh so fortunate that my publisher have let me try my voice out in more than one way.

Even though I started off writing Regency, which I love, I had to try writing contemporary romance as well. And paranormal, m/m, menage, YA—well you get the idea? I needed to know what I’m capable off. I still do for that fact.

There’s nothing like the thrill of having a character shout in my ear and say write me, get on with it. So I do.

I’ve learned the hard way (I’m a member of the lone star club) that not everyone will like what I write or the way I do it. But thankfully that others will and do. Whichever, any comment means someone has read one of my books. The one I cherish most, is a third hand heard (but confirmed by the speaker only last week almost eighteen months on) that, “have you heard? Raven writes, and her books are disgusting.” To which my answer was “Books plural? Then she’s read them all?”

To celebrate my birthday, I’m dotting all over the place for a couple of weeks. For each blog I’m on (and sorry no list you’ll just have to keep your eyes open) I’m offering a mini swag bag plus an Ebook, for one person who answers my question. As well I’ll pick one commenter at random form all the comments overall and send one of my print books (winners choice)

So what shall I ask? I’m going to be cruel and ask two questions. How did I get my pen name? What’s your favorite type of shifter and why?

Stalking links can be found here…