At twenty-eight, Lacey Gears is exactly where she wants to be. An up-and-coming, proudly Deaf artist in Philadelphia, she’s in a relationship with a wonderful man and rarely thinks about her difficult childhood in a home for disabled orphans. That is, until Lacey receives a letter that begins, “You have a sister. A twin to be exact…”
Learning her identical, hearing twin, Monica, experienced the normal childhood she was denied resurrects all of Lacey’s grief, and she angrily sets out to find Monica and her biological parents. But the truth about Monica’s life, their brief shared past, and the reason for the twins’ separation is far from simple. And for every one of Lacey’s questions that’s answered, others are raised, more baffling and profound.
Complex, moving, and beautifully told, My Sister’s Voice is a novel about sisterhood, love of every shape, and the stories we cling to until real life comes crashing in…
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
MARY CARTER is a freelance writer and novelist. My Sister’s Voice is her fourth novel with Kensington. Her other works include: She’ll Take It, Accidentally Engaged, Sunnyside Blues, and The Honeymoon House in the best selling anthology Almost Home. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is part of the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has just completed A Very Maui Christmas, a new novella for Kensington that will be included in a Christmas of 2010 anthology. She is currently working on a new novel, The Pub Across the Pond, about an American woman who swears off all Irish men only to learn she’s won a pub in Ireland. Readers are welcome to visit her at marycarterbooks.com.
1. Thank you for agreeing to this interview. First, however, let's find out a little about the author of MY SISTER'S VOICE, Mary Carter.
MARY CARTER is a freelance writer and novelist. My Sister’s Voice is her fourth novel with Kensington. Her other works include: She’ll Take It, Accidentally Engaged, Sunnyside Blues, and The Honeymoon House in the best selling anthology Almost Home. She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is part of the Rochester Institute of Technology. She has just completed A Very Maui Christmas, a new novella for Kensington that will be included in a Christmas of 2010 anthology. She is currently working on a new novel, The Pub Across the Pond, about an American woman who swears off all Irish men only to learn she’s won a pub in Ireland. Readers are welcome to visit her at marycarterbooks.com.
2. What is the next or current book/project you are working on?
I just completed the novella, A Very Maui Christmas, which will be out next December in an anthology (anthology not yet titled) headlining Fern Michaels. Currently I am working on my 2011 novel, The Pub Across the Pond, about an American woman who, after swearing off all Irish men, wins a pub in Ireland.
3. What have you just finished reading?
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Wells. Funny, and heartbreaking memoir that reads like a great novel.
4. What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out?
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. My Essays by Herman Hesse. Time and Again by Jack Finney. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. Growing up I read constantly and therefore must include: Sam Bangs and Moonshine, The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles, The Chronicles of Narnia, Nancy Drew, and Dr. Seuss.
5. What gets you started on a new book? A character or story idea or….?
It can go either way, and can be difficult to extrapolate the two since they often go hand in hand. For my first novel, She’ll Take It, it started with the character of Melanie. I knew she’d be a struggling young actress. For my second novel, Accidentally Engaged, it was more about the idea of a psychic getting herself into trouble with her predictions, and the specific character grew from there. So even if it begins with an idea, the idea is about the character. For Sunnyside Blues I knew it would be about a single woman who ends up with custody of a child that is not hers, and for My Sister’s Voice, I knew it would be a book about sisters.
6. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?
Prior to My Sister’s Voice, I would have told you that in addition to writing, I am a certified sign language interpreter, but I think that cat is out of the bag. So I guess I will tell you that the novel I am writing now is due in part to my obsession with all things Irish, and this summer I am going to Ireland (for the first time) to research the book.
7. What is your best advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?
Read, read, read, read, and read some more. Read books on writing, or take a class, or join a writer’s group. And of course, write.
8. What is something you would like to share with us about writing your favorite genre in general?
Genre’s are very important to the publishing industry. However, as a writer, what excites me is a good story, and the building blocks to tell one crosses all genres. I like reading all genres as well. Some days I want nothing but a good suspense story, other days a contemporary romance or mainstream fiction book, sometimes the classics. I like non-fiction books that read like novels such as The Devil in the White City, or more recently, The Glass Castle. I love the craft of writing. I hate first drafts but I absolutely love rewriting. I still read books on writing all the time, and I always want my next book to be better than the last.
Thank you, Mary, for the interview and your wonderful book, MY SISTER'S VOICE
THANKS TO DOROTHY AND PUMP
UP YOUR BOOK TOURS, I HAVE ONE
COPY OF MY SISTER'S VOICE TO
GIVE AWAY TO A LUCKY WINNER!
--NO P. O. BOXES
N---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!
![](http://dl5.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1837/1837655i3kyn07pwg.gif)
HOW TO ENTER:
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING INTERESTING YOU FIND WHEN YOU GO TO MARY CARTER'S WEBSITE HERE
+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON ANOTHER CURRENT ENTRY OF MINE YOU HAVE ENTERED. YOU MAY COMMENT ON EACH ENTRY SEPARATELY AND THEY WILL EACH COUNT AS ANOTHER ENTRY.
6 PM, EST, APRIL 29!
GOOD LUCK
97 comments:
I liked how the author begins with the character for an idea for the story.
debp
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I like the fact that she encourages people to read and keep on reading. I love reading and I love to do alot of it. Please enter me in contest. Thank you. Tore923@aol.com
I found it interesting that Mary's next book will be set in Ireland. milou2ster(at)gmail.com
She was influenced by the authors Rand, Hesse and Tolstoy.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Her website tells that she is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Entered Love in Mid Air giveaway.
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Entered for Homemade Life.
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Entered for I Thought You Were Dead.
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Entered for 31 Bond Street.
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Entered for Ten Cents a Dance.
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Entered for 212.
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Entered for Mapping of Love and Death.
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Entered for She-Rain.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Thank you for the interview! It is interesting that she was a sign language interpreter and then decided to incorporate that into her new novel. You have to wonder how often a skill or love influences a writer and how often they pick a topic totally foreign to them to write about.
Thanks,
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the Love in Mid Air giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I found out from her website that she will sign any of her books for people and mail them to the person after signing (all the buyer has to do is pay for shipping and handling). That is a very nice touch!
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the Giada at Home giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the A Homemade LIfe giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the 31 Bond Street giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the Lumby series giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the She-Rain giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the Mapping of Love and Death giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I entered the I Thought You Were Dead giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
I entered The Middle Place and Lift giveaway.
candc320@gmail.com
From the interview I found out she has just read The Glass House and feels about it like I did. It was a great book!
aksimmo at brainerd dot net
From her website I learned about the new novel she's working on Pub Across the Pond
aksimmo at brainerd dot net
i entered your Giada at home giveaway.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
Her enjoyment of reading is important. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
She starts a book off with the character idea. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered 212. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered Live In Mid Air. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered A Homemade Life. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered 31 Bond St. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered ten Cents a Dance. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered Mapping of Love and Death. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered She-rain. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered Giada at Home. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered I Thought You Were Dead. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered The Lumby Series. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
I entered Life and The middle Place. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
well i liked that she draws inspiration from things she likes; being a deaf interpreter, liking the irish culture. Something that i kept thinking about was whether she was involved with deaf people because she was one or a member in her family caused her to be interested in it.
Marimasiel@gmail.com
i Found it interesting that she worked as an actress.
Marimasiel@gmail.com
I think its interesting that she is a sign language interpreter
mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com
She is obsessed with all things Irish
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
entered Love In Mid Air giveaway
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
There is a cool picture Sunnyside in the snow. Since I live in So Cal I like snow pictures
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I think it's cool that she recommends reading reading and more reading. :)
misusedinnocence@aol.com
I entered 31 Bond Street.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
I think it's cool that she will send signed copies of her books.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
she is a certified sign language interpreter,
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
I like that she likes to read all genre's. I also saw that she likes The Glass Castle...I thought that it was a good book as well!
bekki1820cb at gmail
She likes to take her laptop to coffee shops but invariably stays home on her leather sofa and writes where the coffee is already paid for.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
She is excited by a good story. Me too!!!!
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered 10 cents a dance giveawya.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered 31 Bond Street giveaway.
Love & Hugs
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered The Lumby Series giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered the Middle Place & Lift giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered The Mapping of Love and Death giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered 212 giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered I Thought You Were Dead giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I entered She Rain Giveaway.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net
I am even more interested in reading this because she knows what she writes... she is a sign language interpreter!
Well there are lots of interesting things in the interview. But I liked seeing the books she readand loved. As a new reader I;ll be adding them to my TBR list.
chirth7@yahoo.com
I read her Bio and found this: She is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, which is part of the Rochester Institute of Technology.
chirth7@yahoo.com
Entered TEN CENTS A DANCE
chirth7@yahoo.com
Entered 31 BOND STREET
chirth7@yahoo.com
I eneter 212
chirth7@yahoo.com
I entered THE LUMBY SERIES GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com
I entered SHE-RAIN
chirth7@yahoo.com
I entered THE MAPPING OF LOVE AND DEATH
chirth7@yahoo.com
I entered THE MIDDLE PLACE and LIFT GIVEAWAY
chirth7@yahoo.com
I find that her being a sign language interpreter interesting because I am a special education teacher.
Lacey94 at sbcglobal dot net
on mary carter's website I found it interesting that the title of her book changed while her agent was shopping it around.
Lacey914 at sbcglobal dot net
Something I found interesting in Mary Carter's interview is that The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand made one of the biggest impressions on her.
Please enter me in this giveaway!
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
From the website, I found it interesting that she is a graduate of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I also entered the Ten Cents a Dance giveaway.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I also entered the 31 Bond Street giveaway.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I also entered the 212 giveaway.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I also entered The Mapping of Love and Death giveaway.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I also entered the How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly giveaway.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
I also entered the She-Rain giveaway.
saemmerson at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
she is a certified sign language interpreter.
fmd518(at)gmail(dot)com
entered She-Rain giveaway
papajm25@ gmail.com
I love her advice for those of us who want to write... read read read, and write. I think it's neat she tells us to read more than she did to write
papajm25 @ gmail . com
I think it is interesting that she went to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf which is part of beautiful RIT... only a few hours from my home!
It's interesting that she likes The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand - I do too!
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
I learned she is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
entered the Middle Place giveaway
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
I like that among her biggest influences as a writer she credits Dr. Seuss--that's awesome! I also discovered that she is a certified deaf intrepreter.
AlexDean03@yahoo.com
I entered The Middle Place/Lift Giveaway.
AlexDean03@yahoo.com
I entered the Guess How Much I Love You giveaway.
AlexDean03@yahoo.com
I entered How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly giveaway.
AlexDean03@yahoo.com
I just entered She-Rain and plan to enter more later.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I learned from the website that My Sister's Voice is her fourth book.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
Mary suggests to writers to read, read, read to learn more so they can be better writers.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
From her web site, the books she's working on the Pub Across the Ponds sounds interesting.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
Please enter me. I think its interestin gthe Mary Carter is a certified sign language interpreter.
lizzi0915 at aol dot com
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