What can you tell us about your new release, Ms. Bitch?
This book is inspired by my true story. The story takes us through an emotional rollercoaster of a divorce to learning to stand on your own and giving love another chance. And what better way to start over than to go scuba-diving in Mexico? Sure, falling for the handsome scuba instructor is a bit of a cliché but I lived it. Readers will find my novel empowering and honest. I hope once they are finished they will scream from the rooftops: “I am in charge of finding my happily-ever-after.”
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I started writing after my dog was stolen and I was able to recover him safely. Something about that experience propelled me to write the story, and I haven’t stopped writing since. I think being a writer has always called to me, but I never gave it a chance until I had an inciting incident that pushed me into the career I was meant to be in all along.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
That’s a terribly difficult and unfair question to ask anyone who loves reading as much as I do! I read around two or three books a week. One of my favorite books that I finally read this year is The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman. I read it in my hammock by the water. My first favorite books from my youth that resonated deeply with me is a book is called: The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. I just wrote a blog on the books that helped me most when dealing with divorce or any tough times, each one on this list is very special to me. https://www.triciaomalley.com/blog/
Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?
Grace O’Malley, the infamous Irish pirate queen, which I’ve based my Mystic Cove series off of. While she is a real historical figure, her history is so unique for her time (well, even now!) I’d likely ask her where she found the strength to give birth at sea and lead her ship into battle a mere hours later. Can you imagine?!
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
A common piece of advice given to authors is to “write what you know.” I agree with that, to a point, as I also think you need to write what you know and in genres you love. But your voice, your experiences, and stories you’ve gathered along the way will all weave into your work. I have visited all the locations in my books to really make sure I can transport my readers there, even the fictional Siren Island is based on the Caribbean Island where I live. Writing allows me to travel, work from anywhere, and bring my readers along with me for the ride.
What is a typical day like for you?
I can describe my perfect day. It was something that I wrote out for myself years ago when I started writing. I needed to have a goal that I was working toward that wasn’t strictly a financial one. I wrote down that my perfect day was going to be: Get up and go scuba-diving, grab an iced coffee, write in the afternoons. While somewhat simplistic, this is the goal that I’ve worked toward for years now and am happy to report that I have those happy days regularly now.
What scene in Ms. Bitch was your favorite to write?
I’m inspired by travel and the majority of my books are placed in dreamy locales. I love to take my readers to beautiful locations and let them dip their toes in the waters of Siren Island or explore the Emerald Isle while finding out about the secrets of the Mystic Cove. With that in mind my favorite scene in Ms. Bitch is where I am scuba diving with the bull sharks in Mexico. I love sharks and regularly donate to those that dedicate their lives to protect them like The Sea Shepard. I lived this particular scene in Ms. Bitch, and every time I read those words, I am transported back to the beauty and awesomeness of spending time one hundred feet underwater with those stunning sharks.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
There’s no such thing as failure – it’s all a learning experience. Another would simply to be “take risks.” Ultimately, you never regret taking a chance on your dreams.
Tricia O’Malley is the author of the new book Ms. Bitch.
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