Mack little

Mack Little grew up in the Deep South and has accumulated a vibrant experience that she often emulates in her storytelling. Her studies in International Politics and service in the Army have given her impressive perspectives to bring to her novels new layers of intrigues and twists, which are all quite prevalent in her latest novel, Daughter of Hades.

Background story:

After leaving the Army, Mack worked as a medical librarian and an adjunct professor at Texas Woman’s University. Mack has authored and co-authored several articles for professional journals such as the Journal of the Medical Library Association, Medical Research Services Quarterly, and the Journal of Electronic Resources. She has presented at the Medical Library Association Conference, the Texas Gulf Coast Healthy Communities Partnership, and the Special Libraries Association Conference. She co-authored the book, Disaster Planning: a How-to-do-it manual, published by Neal-Schuman Publishers in 2005. Mack occasionally performs in Community Theater.

Uncaged welcomes Mack Little

Welcome to Uncaged! Your latest release, Daughter of Hades is the first book in the Love and Peace series. Can you tell readers more about this book? How many books are planned for the series?

Set in the 17th century, Daughter of Hades depicts two sets of siblings as they escape their homes in search of a new life. Both end up on the seas of the Caribbean, as slavery and its ef- fects loom around them and as pirates challenge their way of living. Their escapes lead to great adventure, danger, romance, and a huge fight to survive in harrowing times.

So many characters in DH fascinate me as well as historical details I would like to explore. I cannot really see an end to it. Initially, my plan was to write about the English invasion of Jamaica, and the resistance put up by the maroons on the island. I’ll get there eventually, but I’m taking the scenic

What is the most difficult scene for you to write? What is the easiest?

I often write from my villain and/or antagonist’s point of view. I dread writing those scenes. In an effort to flesh these characters out, I must get inside their head and understand their motives, and there’s much darkness there and pain.

Sex scenes are also difficult. There seems like there are only so many ways to describe a kiss or a caress. However, I have to remind myself and keep in mind that sex is a form of communicating what the character needs, fears, or some other thing. I try to get to the core of that.

The easiest scenes are the dialogue-heavy scenes. Sometimes I start with dialogue to help me get into those scenes that I find difficult to write.

Where do you get your ideas for new plots and characters?

I usually stumbled upon an interesting historical tidbit, and I research it. Most times, a story grows around that. For instance, in the Daughter of Hades, I saw maroons on a TV show. I was, like, are they real? I did a little research and found out that not only were they real, but they were heroic and inspired terror in the hearts of the British. Growing up in the states, there were stories of sporadic revolts of the enslaved people or heroic characters here and there (though all the enslaved who endured were heroic in their way because, without them, I wouldn’t be here). But the maroons of Jamaica applied constant pressure and were undefeatable and became a pseudo-nation unto themselves. It was just freaking inspiring.

So, as I research a topic, I am thinking about how I might insert my character into the story. Once I get a foothold, I start a character sheet.

What are you working on now that you can tell us about?

I’m working on a couple of things at once. I am revising the novels in my Vampire series. And I am researching the third novel in the Love and Peace series. It deals with an African queen who is defeated by a neighboring kingdom. She and her people are sold into slavery. They turn to piracy in the Caribbean to gain the means to return to Africa and take their kingdom back.

Do you base any of your characters on reallife people?

Yes. It helps to make sometimes outrageously incredible events real. For instance, In the DH, a captive Igbo man forms a friendship with a white sailor on a slave ship who helps the captives in a revolt. Sounds kind of outrageous, right? But that actually happened with a true-life pirate called Black Caesar.

Ami, another character, is based on Queen Nanny of the Maroons, who led the maroon resistance against the British. Ami, however, is much younger and likely only has her status in common with Queen Nanny.

What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

I write all my novels longhand with a fountain pen in one hand and a cigar in the other. And because my husband won’t let me smoke inside, I write outdoors. Now I need the open air to write no matter the weather. If it’s cold or rainy or windy I find a way to get it done as comfortably as possible.

Which comes first, the plot or the characters in the planning stages?

My characters definitely come first. As I mentioned before, when researching a topic, I consider how I might insert my character might fit into historical events. Once that’s decided, I start a character sheet that details their characteristics, background, goals, and obstacles. All that writes the story for me and leads to the creation of other characters, and I repeat this process as a new character is created/needed.

What are some things you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing or working?

I like to smoke and drink whiskey, which, consequently, is how I like to write my longhand draft. I also enjoy reading a really good/entertaining book or watching a really good TV show or movie. I was really into yoga before COVID. I’m trying to get that going again.

My preference is physical books. I like to write in them, break the spine and dogear the pages. Really, I’m the worst. Never loan a book to me. You must give it to me outright. That said. I don’t hate the other formats. I find them useful in certain circumstances. eBooks are good for traveling. I like having a library at my fingertips.

What am I reading now?

• Lilith’s Brood by Octavia Butler, paperback, for an hour after work and for 30 minutes before bed.

• The Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor, audiobook for my daily 3-mile walks.

• The Spare, by Prince Harry, eBook, I read it when I should be doing something else.

What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

You can find me at https://mack-little.com. There you can sign up for my newsletter. I like to meet the people who are reading my books. So, on my site and in my newsletter, I can give you heads-up about the events where you can find me. Stay Connected

Do you prefer ebooks, audiobooks or physical books? Are you reading anything now?