Semi Short chic: M Irish Gardner

AUTHOR BIO

A day-dreamer at heart, M. Irish Gardner has dabbled in imaginary worlds from Day One and developed an incurable addiction when she finally began recording her ideas. Her bachelor’s degree in recreation management does nothing for her writing, but she sure knows how to play. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two daughters, and all the characters in her head. Gardner’s first published work, “Reformation,” appeared in A Dash of Madness: A Thriller Anthology.

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Q/A for M. Irish Gardner

Please share how you came up with the concept for your story?

This is actually the first time I've started a story without a full concept in mind. I found Emily Dickinson's poem, "A Charm Invests a Face", and decided to create a story around that. Cyborgs are popular in steampunk. And everyone loves a good gypsy character, so I rolled with it.

Emily Dickinson (1830–86). Complete Poems. 1924.

Part Three: Love

XXVIII

A CHARM invests a face

Imperfectly beheld,—

The lady dare not lift her veil

For fear it be dispelled.

But peers beyond her mesh,

And wishes, and denies,—

Lest interview annul a want

That image satisfies.

Please name some of your other published works?

My only other work is "Reformation" in A Dash of Madness, released June 2013.

What is your preferred writing genre?

I have found that every story I write must have some element of romance in it!

And preferred reading genre?

I love stories that incorporate romance, adventure, suspense, and fantasy, all in one neat little (or big) bundle!

What are your top 3 favorite books?

The Count of Monte Cristo, Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter series

Do you have any particular writing habits?

I like to use alliteration, if that's what you mean. I also tend to mix up idioms...

Do you have a playlist that you created while writing your story?

Nope. I've learned that my words sound much better than they actually are when music is playing. I have to work in silence so I really "hear" the words.

Panster or plotter?

Short stories - pantser. Full-novels - plotter.

Advice for writers?

Read, then practice. Read, then practice. And don't give up.

What's up next for you?

I have a non-fiction piece I'm just wrapping up. It's about a woman who became very ill while pregnant with her second child and spent three months in the hospital. When she left, she was a triple amputee and blind. She's been wanting to write her story for six long years, so I was really happy that she asked me to help her. I'm hoping her book will be released in 2015, but we still haven't finalized a publisher.

MAIN CHARACTER CASTING!!!
When I asked who Gardner would want to play the main character parts, should her short story be made into a movie, this is what she responded!

"I actually don't have a solid image in my head for my heroine, but my hero is totally Romain Duris. I was searching online for "French actors" to get an idea of what my character would look like, and as soon as I saw him, I said, "YEP! That's him!" :D I've attached the picture I used for inspiration while writing. I think it would inspire anyone…"

Sadly, I couldn't get her picture to show up. I'm hoping this one is pretty close. What do you think? Inspiring?

Oh. My. Gosh. This story is over the tops amazing. Not only is it written in an fabulously detailed steampunk world, but it's got a touch of the paranormal. From the beginning you are intrigued by the mysterious Mauve, and I totally understand why McKenna struggled to find an actress perfect for the part. It would take a truly talented lady to step into those shoes. The tiny bit of romance that this incredibly rich short story has at the very end, is incredibly heart wrenching. I highly recommend you read this story, if not the entire anthology! So BEAUTIFUL!!!