I have the pleasure of interviewing our own DORIS MCCRAW today! After her tireless (and wonderful!) interviews of Western Fictioneer members in the past (which she is planning to continue) I thought March might be a great time to see what makes her tick since it's Women's History Month! Doris has been so giving of her time and energy in putting together her interview series here on the blog, as well as her regular monthly posts she does (and sometime filling in when we have a large gap between bloggers, too!) There is no way to properly thank her for her efforts, but hopefully, her interview will give us some insight into her writing endeavors and what influenced her to become a writer.
Doris has written many stories for Prairie Rose Publications, but that was only the beginning! Since that first story, she's taken off in her writing career and written many, many short stories and novels that have been published. She's also an excellent photographer, writes haiku, and is a "researcher extraordinaire" in many subjects, as well as being a musician, an actress--the picture above is Doris in costume in her portrayal of Helen Hunt--and soooo many other talents. Oh, and did I mention she also kept her day job? I don't know when she sleeps!
Here's a peek into the world of Doris McCraw!
1. When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I have always been a storyteller, at least my mother said so. I can remember writing plays at seven or eight. Poetry was part of that early writing. I’m not sure I even made a conscious decision to write, I just did.
As a student aid in high school I wrote a ‘book’ for the first grade class I was working in. From what I understand the teacher loved the book and the illustrations a friend did, for she continued to make copies each year she taught. To tell the truth, I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought it would be a nice thing to do.
2. What was the nudge that gave you faith that you could and wanted to be published?
I don’t know that there was a nudge. I decided to write a story in the 1990s that was picked up by a regional magazine. After that I didn’t think anything of it until Cheryl Pierson mentioned she was part of a new publishing company. I said maybe I’d try writing something. I was asked when I would have it done. Gave a date, followed up, and the rest is history, as they say. I’ve not looked back.
Growing up in a mid-west agricultural community, I was around multi-generations and loved listening to the stories everyone told. I spent almost twenty years working in juvenile corrections. After retiring from that field, I started working in tourism. Oh, the stories you hear. When you add the years I’ve worked as an actor and musician, my life can’t help but be a part of my storytelling.
Add an almost compulsive need to research, especially history, and it adds up to the perfect storm of telling stories be they fiction or non-fiction.
4. What books or authors you grew up with inspired you to take pen to paper?
I’ve always been a reader, actually making people read to me before I started reading myself. Books I remember are the Farley “Black Stallion” books. I started reading Phyllis Whitney and Mary Stewart at about the age of twelve and went on from there. If I had to choose an author, it might be Andre Norton. I found her early on and her stories resonated with me more than most. I think I wanted to impact others with stories the way she did me. Her “Beastmaster” series always felt like a western to me.
5. What are your favorite areas of research and why they are important to you?
I spend a lot of time just reading old newspapers. I love it. It was while reading a paper from 1880 that I saw an obituary for Julia Loomis MD, and I was off and into the stacks searching out the names and stories of the early women doctors in Colorado. Of course, living near Cripple Creek/Victor has led to mining history research. Last but not least, just any history that catches my eye and I’m off down the rabbit hole.
6. Where did you get the idea for your latest release? What is the elevator pitch for it?
I’ve got four books I’m working on, all based on research I’ve done over time. You know 2021 was kind of a loss in terms of anything getting out there. At the same time, I’ve been writing and hope to get a story of a woman doctor, a stage stop cook, a train trip romance and one with Polly Pry in the story.
An elevator pitch for the woman doctor might be: A widow doctor and her young son take in an injured man. His past and her nemesis can end everything the two have tried to overcome.
7. Do you write in other genres?
I write poetry, primarily Haiku. I also write non-fiction articles on history, primarily on women and Colorado history. I’ve written murder mysteries for a company I used to work for. I also scored a children’s musical and wrote another children’s play.
8. What advice would you give to those who dream of writing, or what advice would you give your younger self?
Advice, that’s a tough one. If you want to write, just do it. So many think you have to be perfect. What a waste of time thinking that way when you have a dream. It’s only by writing that you get comfortable putting words on the page. Find what works for you. Some write every day, some when the mood hits. Critique groups work for some, or if you’re like me, timed improvisational sprints, with no critiquing, work well. I’ve always lived by the idea I don’t want to go to my grave wondering ‘what if?’
I believe my parents realized early on that NO didn’t work on me. Instead, they instilled consequences for actions. They also supported me in whatever I wanted to try. I give them credit for the great and varied life I have and continue to live. (You noticed I didn’t say easy.
10. DORIS, PLEASE ADD A QUESTION I MIGHT HAVE LEFT OUT THAT YOU WANT TO ANSWER!
People may think I just charge in giving orders, etc. Actually, I think things through before making most of my statements. (I tell my boss, they’re statements, not orders telling her what to do.) Ultimately my goal in life is to treat others the way I want to be treated. I believe in win-win. When we support each other, that ripple affect grows the community. Writers, are special. Western writers have a great community, and I am excited to see it continue to grow.
Many thanks to you, Doris, for all the time and devotion you have given to this interview series you started and for all the wonderful, informative articles you've posted here at the WF blog for us, too. I really enjoy your books, and look forward to seeing your posts on social media of your haiku and your beautiful pictures you share with us. You are one very special lady!
CHECK OUT DORIS MCCRAW'S PAGE AT AMAZON. SHE WRITES AS ANGELA RAINES!
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