Interview with Mickey J. Corrigan about her new release Whiskey Sour Noir

Hi Mickey :D Thanks for stopping by today!

Please tell us a little about yourself.

My real name is Virginia Aronson. I published lots of books, articles, poetry and fiction before I adopted a pen name. Mickey J. Corrigan was "born" a couple of years ago with my first romantic comedy, the little ebook novella Dream Job. Since then, I've published five more novellas and a novel, Sugar Babies, a romantic thriller about professional girlfriends.

Sometimes I think I might kill off Mickey. Just for fun. But her new series has been launched by The Wild Rose Press, so I can't get rid of her just yet. The first book in The Hard Stuff series is Whiskey Sour Noir. It's only available on Kindle right now, but will be everywhere starting March 5^th.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

Whiskey Sour Noir is about Tami Lee Conkers, a tough chick who works in a homeless shelter and hangs out in dumpy bars. She falls for Cat Avery, this gorgeous, intelligent man. But he's a convicted sex offender out on probation. His life is totally screwed, yet he insists he's innocent. She wants to believe him.

I was inspired to write this novella by a real story a friend of mine told me. His brother-in-law was accused of buying child porn. The legal battle ruined his reputation, his career and his marriage, and he ended up committing suicide. But he insisted he did not download those horrible photos onto his computer at work. I kind of believed him. It's just too easy for someone else to do this to a person, then turn them in. And it can absolutely destroy their life.

When did the characters first pop into your head?

About 24 hours before I began writing the story. I wasn't sure how it would all work out in the end, but I wanted to let Tami Lee explore her ability to love someone who was in such trouble with the rest of the world. Could she believe in him when nobody else did?

Cat Avery is such a hunk, a girl can't help falling for him. Yet, being a convicted sex offender in this culture is as low as it gets. So the conflict is very real.

Without giving away any spoilers, was the story always straightforward for you to write, or did it pop up any surprises along the way?

The story has more humor than I expected. As I was writing, I had no idea where their love was heading. The Gulf Stream had stopped flowing, altering the weather and wreaking chaos, and the entire world was freaking out. So there was a global crisis to contend with too. I had to hope everything would work out for Tami Lee and Cat Avery… and the rest of the planet.

Where do you like to write?

I write at my desk. I used to write in libraries and cafes, but now I like being in my little office with the sun shining in.

Do you read a lot?

I'm a huge reader. I read at least two books a week. Right now I'm reading essays by George Saunders and an academic book about dying. And for enjoyment, a novel by Jennifer Egan. 

Who are some of your favourite authors?

Too many to list! Top favorites include Charles Bukowski, Bret Easton Ellis, Denis Johnson, David Benioff, Daniel Woodrell and Dennis Lehane. Just to name a few. For anything economic, Michael Lewis is fantastic. I also love Tom Wolfe. Jay McInerney. Andre Dubois. Haruki Murakami. Nick Flynn is exceptional; I just went to a reading the other night and he was terrific. I find new authors I like all the time, too. I just discovered Jennifer Egan and she's amazing. There are so many talented writers out there.

And last but not least, have you any words of wisdom for aspiring writers out there?

Read a lot. Read, read, read!

As for writing, start small. First write a flash piece, real short fiction. Then write another one. Keep practicing. Get sharper, polish your words. Once you feel skilled at the short pieces, move up to writing longer stories. Or a novel.

Keep at it. It's tough to tell a story well, to develop interesting characters who can engage readers. Writing takes more practice than talent. It's a craft. You gotta put in the time.

I'm an editor and I work with people every day who want to publish. I always advise my clients: do not be afraid of editing. And never be afraid of rejection. This is all part of the process of publishing your best work. Keep trying. The writers who succeed are the ones who keep at it.

So don't stop believing!

***

Mickey J. Corrigan lives in South Florida. Visit her at www.mickeyjcorrrigan.com or on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5828647.Mickey_J_Corrigan.

Whiskey Sour Noir is available on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Whiskey-Sour-Noir-Hard-Stuff-ebook/dp/B00GVKM9NE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390966701&sr=1-1&keywords=whiskey+sour+noir ) and will be released by The Wild Rose Press on March 5^th.

Tami Lee Conkers is a spunky Florida chick who works at a homeless shelter. Cat Avery is handsome, well-educated, articulate, funny and dark. He lives in a bum motel and bartends right down the street from Tami Lee. She falls for him—even though she knows better. The man is a registered sex offender.

Avery claims he's innocent. Tami Lee is following her heart, but she's afraid she knows where that will take her. The love they make feels doomed. All around them, life is going from bad to worse. Especially since the Gulf Stream has stopped moving for the first time in thousands of years.

An end of the world romance, Whiskey Sour Noir is an engaging story of two unlikely lovers battling tough odds.

Love can be so bittersweet.