Interview with Heidi McLaughlin
from Forever My Girl:
Word: Let me start out by
saying thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us at Word! We are big
fans of Forever My Girl.
Heidi McLaughlin: Thank you
for having me and I'm just going to say it's very odd to hear people tell me
they are fans of Forever My Girl. I've been so nervous with its release that I
almost didn't hit publish.
Word: When I first started reading, I thought you were a seasoned
pro. I even asked if you had any other books out! It was written so well. When
did you think up the idea for Forever My Girl?
Heidi: On September 24, 2012
Word: Seriously? That is impressive!
Heidi: Yes, very serious. It took me 24-days to write. I did 4500
words a day
Word: Wow!!
That was done so quickly! The whole book flowed; you found an original
storyline that sucked me in within 10%.
Heidi: FMG is not the first thing I've written. I had finished an
80k YA/paranormal earlier in the summer - queried and got rejection after
rejection. Started working on a different YA story with a male lead when I got
the idea for FMG. Benched the YA and went with FMG.
Word: What are you working on right now?
Heidi: Currently
working on a YA/MA story that I started for Nano, but couldn't finish because
of edits for FMG
Word: Josie
was so likeable, it feels so rare nowadays that the female lead is relatable
and well-rounded. Was she based off of anybody?
Heidi:
Josie - she's not. She's the
character that every bloggers wishes they were reading. She's strong,
determined and not fueled by a man. She doesn't whine, mope or complain about
what's been dealt.
I have two daughters who have very
high self-esteem and know that they don't need a man to be who they are. Why
write the opposite of what I'm preaching to my girls?
Word: That is such an excellent point about your girls. Josie's
strength is what originally pulled me in. Those girls are gems. ~ You have
another story coming after FMG, which is one of the characters, Katelyn's
storyline. Will it start out further after her husband's death, or right where
FMG ended?
Heidi:
No, it starts about a year later, 11
months or so. Readers will go through the one-year anniversary of Mason's
death.
It's a timeline I played around with
for a few weeks because how soon is too soon when there's that attraction?
Word: That sounds like an good time frame. You could see Harrison looking
at Katelyn, but there was nothing inappropriate in the first book of the
series. Will you be getting any further into Liam's relationship with his dad
in the second Beaumont novel?
Heidi: I don't like Sterling Westbury - so as of right now the only
time readers will see or hear of Sterling will be in flashbacks, which will
only occur in a Liam/Josie Novella sometime later in the year or next year.
Word: I
didn't like Sterling either, I am glad you are taking a stand against an
abusive father, rather than it being tied up in a little bow at the end of
every book. How many books would you like to see in the Beaumont Series?
Heidi: Right now I'll commit to 8. And I know your mouth just
dropped so here's the list.
1, 2, and 3 will be adult contemp.
Along with those 3, I plan to do a novella with Liam & Josie and a novel of
the 10 years prior.
The last 3 will be 10 years out and
we'll get Noah, Quinn and TBD character
Word: Wow! This is exciting news! Maybe a wedding a baby in there
somewhere:) Now I must confess, I liked Nick, he wasn't right for Josie, but he
was a good guy defending the family he loved. Any chance of getting a HEA for
Nick?
Heidi: Maybe on
the baby. I mean Liam wants one; he missed out on Noah and definitely wants to
experience the whole baby daddy thing.
I like Nick. A lot of people don't,
which is sad. He is a man who knew he lost everything the moment Liam walked
in. And yes there's a chance that Nick gets his HEA.
**EXCLUSIVE**
The Letter Josie hasn't seen.
Dear Josie,
You know that moment - the one that happens when you’re driving down the street and the oncoming car shines their brights at you? That is what I felt like when he walked into the carriage room on the day of Mason’s funeral.
My life flashed before my eyes.
Do you know what I saw? Your smile, the way you hold my hand and Noah’s laugh. I saw the way I held you, the way you fell asleep in my arms after a long day of work. I saw Noah and I in the backyard throwing the ball around and then I saw him standing there smirking and shaking his head. I saw that guy from high school and my scene changed. Everything started to fade away. You weren’t holding my hand, but his. Noah wasn’t laughing with me, but with him. I knew then that it was all going to be a distant memory for me. I had lost without even starting the fight.
When he walked in, I knew. I felt in my heart that you were gone and there wasn’t much I was going to be able to do except pray that you’d remember everything he had done, remember everything that you went through when he left. It’s pretty sad that I needed your bad memories to remind you of the hell you went through just so you’d pick me.
When I looked at him, I knew I was the better choice. I had plans for my life. I wasn’t going to depend on baseball to get me anywhere. But you, you only saw him. I had to watch from the sidelines until he made the ultimate mistake.
I remember the first time you brought me over to Mason and Katelyn’s. I was so nervous. We weren’t friends in high school, just teammates, even though I tried. I was surprised when he shook my hand, but it’s what he said to you that stands out now. “He always wanted what Liam had.” He laughed. Mason laughed at me and any man would’ve turned around and left, but you were my salvation. If I had you, I was on the top of the world.
I wish I could say Mason was wrong, but he wasn’t. It’s true for the most part. I wanted you from the first time I saw you standing in the hall. I was going to talk to you, but he walked up and wrapped you in his arms. I had never felt so much jealousy before and I didn’t even know you. All I saw was this meathead who had something I wanted.
I knew Mason wasn’t my best friend. I was just a guy he put up with because you were his best friend and I was okay with that because it meant I could be with you more and you’d never have to choose me over them.
When he died, I knew our lives were going to be different, but I didn’t expect this. Not in a million years did I expect to be pouring myself out on a piece of paper and not standing up in front of our families devoting the rest of our lives to each other.
I knew deep down that I didn’t have your heart. I was just too stupid to believe it. I settled for whatever you were willing to give me because I’m in love with you. I should’ve known better then to think you’d get over him since you bore him a son. You looked at the love you shared every day in the eyes of Noah and I knew I couldn’t compete, but wanted to try. I wanted to give you the life you deserve.
I hate having these feelings. I hate that I’m writing you this letter while you’re at work. I hate packing and leaving our home, one that we’ve shared for years, but I can’t stay. I can’t sit back and watch you build a life with him because I know that’s what going to happen.
I’m going to Africa so you can start a life with Liam. I accept that, even if I want to stay and fight, I’m not willing to lose so I’m bowing out gracefully. I love you, Josie, and much like Liam, it’s been since I first saw you, I was just too late.
You know that moment - the one that happens when you’re driving down the street and the oncoming car shines their brights at you? That is what I felt like when he walked into the carriage room on the day of Mason’s funeral.
My life flashed before my eyes.
Do you know what I saw? Your smile, the way you hold my hand and Noah’s laugh. I saw the way I held you, the way you fell asleep in my arms after a long day of work. I saw Noah and I in the backyard throwing the ball around and then I saw him standing there smirking and shaking his head. I saw that guy from high school and my scene changed. Everything started to fade away. You weren’t holding my hand, but his. Noah wasn’t laughing with me, but with him. I knew then that it was all going to be a distant memory for me. I had lost without even starting the fight.
When he walked in, I knew. I felt in my heart that you were gone and there wasn’t much I was going to be able to do except pray that you’d remember everything he had done, remember everything that you went through when he left. It’s pretty sad that I needed your bad memories to remind you of the hell you went through just so you’d pick me.
When I looked at him, I knew I was the better choice. I had plans for my life. I wasn’t going to depend on baseball to get me anywhere. But you, you only saw him. I had to watch from the sidelines until he made the ultimate mistake.
I remember the first time you brought me over to Mason and Katelyn’s. I was so nervous. We weren’t friends in high school, just teammates, even though I tried. I was surprised when he shook my hand, but it’s what he said to you that stands out now. “He always wanted what Liam had.” He laughed. Mason laughed at me and any man would’ve turned around and left, but you were my salvation. If I had you, I was on the top of the world.
I wish I could say Mason was wrong, but he wasn’t. It’s true for the most part. I wanted you from the first time I saw you standing in the hall. I was going to talk to you, but he walked up and wrapped you in his arms. I had never felt so much jealousy before and I didn’t even know you. All I saw was this meathead who had something I wanted.
I knew Mason wasn’t my best friend. I was just a guy he put up with because you were his best friend and I was okay with that because it meant I could be with you more and you’d never have to choose me over them.
When he died, I knew our lives were going to be different, but I didn’t expect this. Not in a million years did I expect to be pouring myself out on a piece of paper and not standing up in front of our families devoting the rest of our lives to each other.
I knew deep down that I didn’t have your heart. I was just too stupid to believe it. I settled for whatever you were willing to give me because I’m in love with you. I should’ve known better then to think you’d get over him since you bore him a son. You looked at the love you shared every day in the eyes of Noah and I knew I couldn’t compete, but wanted to try. I wanted to give you the life you deserve.
I hate having these feelings. I hate that I’m writing you this letter while you’re at work. I hate packing and leaving our home, one that we’ve shared for years, but I can’t stay. I can’t sit back and watch you build a life with him because I know that’s what going to happen.
I’m going to Africa so you can start a life with Liam. I accept that, even if I want to stay and fight, I’m not willing to lose so I’m bowing out gracefully. I love you, Josie, and much like Liam, it’s been since I first saw you, I was just too late.
Word: I am absolutely speechless. Thank you so much for sharing
that with me. I have tears in my eyes. This is the Nick I saw, he never did
anything malicious, I felt his love for Josie and for Noah, he raised him as
his own, and begged Josie to marry him. I am so happy to hear he is not a villain
from your mouth. That note feels like the perfect way to end this interview.
You have such a talent for words Heidi, and I cannot wait to hear more. Thank
you for stopping by Word.
Heidi McLaughlin: Thank you
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeidiMcLaughlinAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiJoVT
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Girl-Beaumont-Series-ebook/dp/B00ATNJW3Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356736497&sr=1-1&keywords=forever+my+girl+heidi+mclaughlin
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forever-my-girl-heidi-mclaughlin/1114035505?ean=2940016146850
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Forever-My-Girl/book-Srdv_kJSuUK5j_QVJMA8kA/page1.html
