I grew up on a small farm
in Pennsylvania, the oldest of seven
children with lots of cousins, aunts, uncles and friends
coming and going. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t reading.
Words and stories have been the one thing I could always count
on. As a child I wrote dramatic stories and letters to and about
my siblings, letters to the editor of the local newspaper and
even letters to the state governor.
After reading one of my tales my father said, “I’ll be damned if
you’re not a writer!” Young girls are very influenced by their
fathers; I believed from that day forward, “I am a writer!”
However, there were many detours before I could focus on my true
vocation. I married young, had three children and became a
divorce statistic. I graduated from nursing school, which isn’t
easy to do as a working single mother. I worked for twenty years
as a nurse and married my husband in 1990. I have a profound
understanding of the emotional complexities of life. I adore my
three adult children, my two beautiful step daughters, their
mates and our ten grandchildren.
I’ve always written short stories, essays and lots of letters to
friends and family. I did freelance writing for local newspapers
and nursing journals for ten years before I stopped working as a
nurse in 2003. Since then I’ve been writing and learning the
ropes of the publishing world.
Mother Love was published in Nov. 2004 and received the
Reviewers Choice Award in 2005.
My second novel, Runaway Grandma, was released in November 2007
by a small press, Madison Ave. Publishers. Reviews have been
very good.
Writing, as well as involvement with family and friends, gives
me joy and life satisfaction.
My other passion, which I share with my husband, is travel.
We’ve traveled in more than forty countries…perhaps our motto
should be, “We want to cover the earth before the earth covers
us!” Visit Ann online at
www.annmccauley.com
PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up and was reading
and writing a part
of your life? Who were your earliest influences and why?
Ann McCauley:
I grew up on a farm in western PA, the firstborn of seven siblings.
There was always something 'happening' on the farm...lots of cousins,
aunts and uncles coming and going as well as neighbors and friends. And,
of course, the animals. We had horses, pigs, milk cows, beef cattle,
goats, cats and
dogs. We all had our chores and we all learned how to work before we
even started first grade.
I can't remember ever NOT reading. I learned to read early and books
were my earliest means of traveling the world and meeting people from
other cultures. I've always been an avid reader and to this day I read
at least one book each week, usually two.
My great grandmother, Sara Menzer McCauley, was 82 when I was born and
was one of the strongest influences in my early life. I spent many week
ends with her and she instilled a strong faith in me, to this day I
continue to teach children's Sunday School. Many of her favorite hymns
have become my
favorites.
Also my father, who after reading one of my early stories, remarked,
"I'll be damned if you're not a writer...!" (A young girl is always
influenced by the words of her father, I'm thankful my dad's words were
positive!) There were many detours in my life before I could actually
devote my time to the craft I knew would be my life's work.
My mother was an important part of my childhood as well, but it seemed
she was always busy with the work of taking care of the large family and
the new babies that came with great regularity.
PageOneLit.com: Why do you write?
Ann McCauley:
I write because I can't stop; I have so many stories to tell. It seems I
no sooner finish one when two more pop up in my head and I must start
making notes for the next ones. (Sometimes it feels like I have a
WRITING virus that I can't shake...) Many people tell me they should
write a book; based on interesting
experiences they've had. Well, all I can say is, "Go for it!" Writing is
by far the toughest job I've ever had, yet I like it the best of
anything I've ever done. Many people talk about writing but never get
around to the nitty gritty everyday work of writing. It's much harder
than people would ever expect. And I'm referring only to the actual
writing...not the murky world of publishing and agents.
PageOneLit.com: Briefly discuss "Runaway Grandma" - Who is Olivia
Hampton?
Ann McCauley:
Olivia is THE Runaway Grandma. She learns her son is scheming to have
her declared incompetent in order take control of her assets. So she
carefully plans a fake suicide and leaves her home state of Nebraska,
eventually starting over again in PA. She's a seventy year old widowed,
retired school teacher...a feisty independent woman. Did I mention she
has extremely strong will power to the point of stubbornness?
Who is Ray? Ray is a secondary
character who becomes her best friend in the PA town she settles in, and
he's probably the main reason she settles there. They have a rare
special closeness that Olivia never expected to find. Ray is a salt of
the earth kind of man. But NOT without baggage!
PageOneLit.com: Can and does life begin at 70 like Olivia? Did you
research any for "Runaway Grandma"?
Ann McCauley:
Beginning a new life at age 70 is probably as individualized as the life
people make for themselves at any age.
Yes, of course, there was a great deal of research. The local and state
police, a friendly attorney as well as the staff at the Office of Aging
were all graciously patient and kind as I asked my seemingly endless
questions. All in an effort to make Runaway Grandma as believable as
possible.
PageoneLit.com: How would you feel if your mother ran away at the age
of
70 years old? What would you do?
Ann McCauley:
It's hard to imagine MY mother ever running away. It would be
devastating
and I'd try to find her! But then I'm there for my mom. My siblings and
I
have always been there for our parents. I'm sure she'd NEVER do such a
thing.
**Please check my blog on www.annmccauley.com to read the winning essays on
this very topic, from an essay contest held earlier this year as part of
the Runaway Grandma Launch.
PageOneLit.com: Hollywood calls and asks you to cast "Runaway Grandma"
Who do you cast and why?
Ann McCauley:
Shirley Maclaine. She's a very versatile actress, in the right age group
and she'd easily capture the spirit of Olivia.
PageOneLit.com: What did you learn from writing "Runaway Grandma"?
Ann McCauley: That people never really grow old inside their
hearts and minds. They
remain vibrant long after their hair turns white and wrinkles are
finally
accepted as part of who they are.
Also that too few children recognize their parents actually had a life
before they were born and maintain one independent of the children long
after they've flown the nest. Adult children demand their privacy, yet
seldom recognize their parents have the same needs.
PageOneLit.com: What do you hope to achieve with "Runaway Grandma" ?
Ann McCauley:
As more baby boomers reach retirement age and become victims of Elder
Financial Abuse, it will be more openly discussed.
I hope Runaway Grandma will be used as a resource when this topic is
addressed.
PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?
Ann McCauley:
"The Gravediggers Daughter" by Joyce Carol Oates. It was an outstanding
book, a haunting story with unforgettable characters. She's a gifted
writer,
deserving all the honors her novels have been awarded.
PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they? How do they
enhance your writing?
Ann McCauley:
Spending time with my husband. Reading, traveling, and socializing with
friends and family. Of course, I exercise several times a week, not for
the fun of it but for the health benefits.
Every encounter and experience I have enhances my writing, I never know
which detail will process into a new story idea or part of an existing
one
to add character depth...
And I adore my ten grandchildren, ages 4- 24 and cherish the times I
spend
with them.
