Interview with Danielle McMahon
Question One: Tell us a little bit about yourself! Where are you from, what’s your favorite color, anything that you want to!
I’m a mom of 2 great kids and a part-time poet. I have a lingering Pittsburgh yinzer accent but I can crank it all the way up when I want to. My husband says I am a terrible liar because I can’t stop smirking. I’ve embraced chaos gardening as a way to cope with my lack of a green thumb. I like to talk to the plants and the birds in the yard. I like the quiet life and am happiest when spending time with my family and close friends. I took a long break from writing but am back in middle age with a fire in my belly. My poetry can be found in various journals in print and online, and I’ve got 4 chapbooks and 2 microchaps out, with some other projects on sub. You can check out my work here: https://d-mcmahon-writes.net. I also run a little litmag called the engine(idling (engineidling.net) in my spare time where I aim to champion the incredible work of my peers.
Question Two: What inspired your debut novel?
I wrote my latest chapbook “irl” with suburban summertime in mind and with a deep nostalgia settled in my heart.
Question Three: What was the first book to make you cry? And if tears have never been shed then what was the first book that gave you an emotional reaction?
I think all the books I’ve read illicit some kind of response but I can’t think of what that first book could’ve been. I started reading seriously in middle school, and I remember the voices of Poe, Bradbury, and Steinbeck really standing out for me. My all-time favorite author is Lewis Nordan, who really knows how to write heartache.
Question Four: Do you have any pets? Bonus points for pictures!
My family just adopted a family of cats: Bill, Gus and Shawn.
Question Five: What is your goal as a writer?
I do a lot of writing for myself as a way of idea exploration. But ultimately I want my words to connect with other people.
Question Six: Do you believe in “kill your darlings”? Did you have to kill a darling you really didn’t want to?
Being a poet, I have not really had to kill any darlings, but I think if it must be done for the sake of a story, then so be it.
Question Seven: Have you ever googled yourself?
Sure I have, and some of the results are actually me.
Question Eight: Was there someone in your life that inspired you to write/self publish? Either good or bad.
The submission routine is a bit of a fun / frustrating game. I want my poetry to connect with and emotionally resonate with others, so I play the game. While I often write and experiment just for myself, I am also my own driving force behind seeking publishing.
Question Nine: What are the best and worst things about being an indie author?
The community is supportive and amazing but it can be quite a challenge to make sales and to get your book into readers’ hands, especially with poetry. I find it can be difficult to capture someone’s attention.
Question Ten: What advice would you give aspiring writers?
Just have fun with it. Go where your ideas take you and try not to feel too much pressure about it.
