Interview with author Mercedes Lackey

Mercedes Lackey is the acclaimed author of over fifty novels and many works of short fiction. In her "spare" time she is also a professional lyricist and a licensed wild bird rehabilitator. Mercedes lives in Oklahoma with her husband and frequent collaborator, artist Larry Dixon, and their flock of parrots. Here is an interview with author Mercedes Lackey

Mercedes Lackey, Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Mercedes Lackey the 38th SFWA Grand Master for the Science Fiction Writers Association. I have 143 books in print with major publishers. I am 71 years old and I have been writing all my life. My husband is science fiction artist Larry Dixon (not the drag race driver of the same name). We live in Oklahoma with our four cats and dozen parrots.

How many hours a day do you write?

Between eight and ten usually. But I am always thinking about the books Mercedes Lackey working on.

Mercedes Lackey How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

No unpublished books. One half finished that is the next book on contract to DAW/Penguin. Three books on contract in the outline form.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

About two to three months.

Where did you get the idea for your recent book?

The most recently published came from the topics that a game-designer friend of ours, Owen K. Stevens, was tossing around for a "weird west" scenario. He wrote "The Silver Bullets of Annie Oakley" and I knew it was an immediate fit for my Elemental Masters series, and exactly what the plot would be.

Mercedes Lackey How did you develop your plots?

One sentence premise. Expand that to one paragraph synopsis. Expand that to one page summary. Expand that to 3 pages, and expand those to 30-40 pages. Then write the book from the resulting outline.

How do you select the names of your characters?

Mercedes Lackey I usually have names as soon as I think of the character.

If you didn't write, what would you do for work?

Mercedes Lackey Probably computer programmer still.

Mercedes Lackey How did you get inspired to write your recent book?

Mercedes Lackey mortgage.

What is your favorite childhood book?

"The Little Book Room" by Eleanor Farjean

Read: Interview with author Edward M. Lerner

What are you currently working on?

"Into the West," the sequel to "Beyond" Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones? I almost never read reviews.

What's your advice for aspiring writers?

Don't "aspire." WRITE. Aspiring has never put books in their hands.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?