I grew up on a small farm in
Pennsylvania, the oldest of seven
children with lots of cousins, aunts,
uncles and friends coming and going. I can’t
remember a time when I wasn’t reading. Words and
stories have been the one thing I could always
count on. As a child I wrote dramatic stories
and letters to and about my siblings, letters to
the editor of the local newspaper and even
letters to the state governor.
After reading one of my tales my father said,
“I’ll be damned if you’re not a writer!” Young
girls are very influenced by their fathers; I
believed from that day forward, “I am a writer!”
However, there were many detours before I could
focus on my true vocation. I married young, had
three children and became a divorce statistic. I
graduated from nursing school, which isn’t easy
to do as a working single mother. I worked for
twenty years as a nurse and married my husband
in 1990. I have a profound understanding of the
emotional complexities of life. I adore my three
adult children, my two beautiful step daughters,
their mates and our ten grandchildren.
I’ve always written short stories, essays and
lots of letters to friends and family. I did
freelance writing for local newspapers and
nursing journals for ten years before I stopped
working as a nurse in 2003. Since then I’ve been
writing and learning the ropes of the publishing
world.
Mother Love was published in Nov. 2004 and
received the Reviewers Choice Award in 2005.
My second novel, Runaway Grandma, was released
in November 2007 by a small press, Madison Ave.
Publishers. Reviews have been very good.
Writing, as well as involvement with family and
friends, gives me joy and life satisfaction.
My other passion, which I share with my husband,
is travel. We’ve traveled in more than forty
countries…perhaps our motto should be, “We want
to cover the earth before the earth covers us!”
Visit Ann online at
www.annmccauley.com
PageOneLit.com: Where did you grow up
and was reading and writing a part of your life? Who
were your earliest influences and why?
Ann McCauley: I grew up on a farm in western PA, the
firstborn of seven siblings. There was always something
'happening' on the farm...lots of cousins, aunts and
uncles coming and going as well as neighbors and
friends. And, of course, the animals. We had horses,
pigs, milk cows, beef cattle, goats, cats and dogs. We
all had our chores and we all learned how to work before
we even started first grade.
I can't remember ever NOT reading. I learned to read
early and books were my earliest means of traveling the
world and meeting people from other cultures. I've
always been an avid reader and to this day I read at
least one book each week, usually two.
My great grandmother, Sara Menzer McCauley, was 82 when
I was born and was one of the strongest influences in my
early life. I spent many week ends with her and she
instilled a strong faith in me, to this day I continue
to teach children's Sunday School. Many of her favorite
hymns have become my
favorites.
Also my father, who after reading one of my early
stories, remarked, "I'll be damned if you're not a
writer...!" (A young girl is always influenced by the
words of her father, I'm thankful my dad's words were
positive!) There were many detours in my life before I
could actually devote my time to the craft I knew would
be my life's work.
My mother was an important part of my childhood as well,
but it seemed she was always busy with the work of
taking care of the large family and the new babies that
came with great regularity.
PageOneLit.com: Why
do you write?
Ann McCauley: I write because I can't stop; I have so
many stories to tell. It seems I no sooner finish one
when two more pop up in my head and I must start making
notes for the next ones. (Sometimes it feels like I have
a WRITING virus that I can't shake...) Many people tell
me they should write a book; based on interesting
experiences they've had. Well, all I can say is, "Go for
it!" Writing is by far the toughest job I've ever had,
yet I like it the best of anything I've ever done. Many
people talk about writing but never get around to the
nitty gritty everyday work of writing. It's much harder
than people would ever expect. And I'm referring only to
the actual writing...not the murky world of publishing
and agents.
PageOneLit.com: Briefly discuss "Runaway Grandma" - Who
is Olivia Hampton?
Ann McCauley: Olivia is THE Runaway Grandma. She learns
her son is scheming to have her declared incompetent in
order take control of her assets. So she carefully plans
a fake suicide and leaves her home state of Nebraska,
eventually starting over again in PA. She's a seventy
year old widowed, retired school teacher...a feisty
independent woman. Did I mention she has extremely
strong will power to the point of stubbornness?
Who is Ray? Ray is
a secondary character who becomes her best friend in the
PA town she settles in, and he's probably the main
reason she settles there. They have a rare special
closeness that Olivia never expected to find. Ray is a
salt of the earth kind of man. But NOT without baggage!
PageOneLit.com: Can and does life begin at 70 like
Olivia? Did you research any for "Runaway Grandma"?
Ann McCauley: Beginning a new life at age 70 is
probably as individualized as the life people make for
themselves at any age. Yes, of course, there was a great
deal of research. The local and state police, a friendly
attorney as well as the staff at the Office of Aging
were all graciously patient and kind as I asked my
seemingly endless questions. All in an effort to make
Runaway Grandma as believable as
possible.
PageoneLit.com: How would you feel if your mother ran
away at the age of 70 years old? What would you do?
Ann McCauley: It's hard to imagine MY mother ever
running away. It would be devastating and I'd try to
find her! But then I'm there for my mom. My siblings and
I have always been there for our parents. I'm sure she'd
NEVER do such a thing. **Please check my blog on
www.annmccauley.com
to read the winning essays on this very topic, from an
essay contest held earlier this year as part of the
Runaway Grandma Launch.
PageOneLit.com: Hollywood calls and asks you to cast
"Runaway Grandma" Who do you cast and why?
Ann McCauley: Shirley Maclaine. She's a very versatile
actress, in the right age group and she'd easily capture
the spirit of Olivia.
PageOneLit.com: What did you learn from writing "Runaway
Grandma"?
Ann McCauley: That people never really grow old inside
their hearts and minds. They remain vibrant long after
their hair turns white and wrinkles are finally accepted
as part of who they are. Also that too few children
recognize their parents actually had a life before they
were born and maintain one independent of the children
long after they've flown the nest. Adult children demand
their privacy, yet seldom recognize their parents have
the same needs.
PageOneLit.com: What do you hope to achieve with
"Runaway Grandma" ?
Ann McCauley: As more baby boomers reach retirement age
and become victims of Elder Financial Abuse, it will be
more openly discussed. I hope Runaway Grandma will be
used as a resource when this topic is addressed.
PageOneLit.com: What was the last book you read?
Ann McCauley: "The Gravediggers Daughter" by Joyce
Carol Oates. It was an outstanding book, a haunting
story with unforgettable characters. She's a gifted
writer, deserving all the honors her novels have been
awarded.
PageOneLit.com: Do you have any hobbies? What are they?
How do they enhance your writing?
Ann McCauley: Spending time with my husband. Reading,
traveling, and socializing with friends and family. Of
course, I exercise several times a week, not for the fun
of it but for the health benefits. Every encounter and
experience I have enhances my writing, I never know
which detail will process into a new story idea or part
of an existing one to add character depth... And I adore
my ten grandchildren, ages 4- 24 and cherish the times I
spend with them.
I write because I can't stop; I have so many stories to
tell. It seems I no sooner finish one when two more pop up in my head
and I must start making notes for the next ones. (Sometimes it feels
like I have a WRITING virus that I can't shake...) 
