In celebration of the upcoming release of my debut novel, Fast Forward (see announcement here), I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome… Monique McDonell!

PAST:

1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

That’s a good question. When I was three I wanted to be a trapeze artist. When I was ten I thought I’d like to be a mother of eight and a journalist (not sure how I planned to juggle that, my working mum must have made it look easy!) I always wanted to be a writer as well, maybe not at three but pretty soon after.

2. What did you do before you became a writer?

I studied Communications at Uni and always worked a related field doing PR, events and fundraising. I worked for several non-profit organisations where you had to wear more than one hat. I still work in PR now, even though I write as well. I run a boutique agency with one of my best friends.

3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?

Wow, how do you pick just one? My best most magical childhood memory ever is going to America when I was eight. We went for Christmas and spent part of the week before at Disneyland. On the first day we flew from Australia and then my parents had a nap but when we went in the park for dinner I was allowed to have apple pie for my meal, not a ‘proper dinner’. I remember my sister had a hot fudge sundae. That was so exciting!

PRESENT:

4. What’s your latest release about and/or what are you currently working on?

My latest release is a contemporary romance called Hearts Afire. Cassie Callahan has a disastrous wedding day. First she is jilted and then her catering business catches fire and in comes Jack Callahan, a fire-fighter, to save the day. It’s a story about meeting the right person at the wrong time – which so many of us have done.

My next novel is called Alphabet Dating and will be out in January. It’s a chick lit novel about a girl whose friends dare her to date 26 guys in a month, one for every letter of the alphabet, and the consequences of taking on that challenge.

5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)

I don’t think too many of us have typical days do we? Mine is spent juggling my day job, my writing commitments and family life. I do most of my work between nine and three or when my daughter is at after school activities. I’m not very good at saying ‘NO’ so I’m often over-committed. I’m working on that. My day always involves coffee and usually ends with a glass of wine or two.

6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:

My health, my family and good friends.

FUTURE:

7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?

I’d fast forward to when I turn fifty. I want to know if that trip to New York I’m planning with some girlfriends is really going to happen. If so, I’d like to go visit myself at the Red Door Spa, go to The Plaza for afternoon tea and have cocktails somewhere fancy with my girls.

8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?

I would like a hover board like in Back to the Future. But I would like the board to be in the form of high heels, and then I wouldn’t get sore feet at parties.

9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?

Honestly, my main hope is that my daughter grows up to have a happy and fulfilling life. Aside from that I hope I continue to make new friends and meet interesting people, because that’s what makes life fun! On a writing front I hope I’m able to continue to write and that my books find an audience.

Thanks Monique! Visit Monique online at her website, facebook, and twitter. Buy HEARTS AFIRE now at Amazon.