Reviews from

The Gary Maclean Interview

An Interview with a FanStory writer.

38 total reviews 
Comment from K.L. Rockquemore
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This is another tremendous interview!!!
Your questions were well chosen and asked.
I found the bulk of the interview useful for my personal writing.
Gary struck a great balance between humor, whimsy, and
information.
You asked very personal questions and as a reader I appreciate because now I feel as though I have a sense of who he is and how his life experiences translate to his prose and poetry voice.
Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    I am delighted you enjoyed the interview. Thank you for your review and comments. Terry.
Comment from Jay Squires
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was a wonderful interview, Terry, one of your best. And you got through it all without mentioning his smile which, to me, is the most genuine I've seen on another human. For that reason I found it so amazing that he had such a challengeing childhood. Evidently, then, that smile evidences his overcoming of adversity to such a degee that he is left with a surfeit of joy! Thank you for making the interview so relevant and captivating.

Jay

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Jay, you are a gentleman and a scholar. Your review is much appreciated. You are correct about Gary. Thank you. Terry.
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was a good interview. I am glad I took time to read it. Now, I will look for other interviews done on this site. It's a good way to learn about other writers I have not encountered. However, I know Gary. He is on my buddy list. This interview was well-done.

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Sandra, thank you for your review and kind words. I did know you had read some of his work. An interesting and good fellow. Terry.
reply by Sandra Nelms-Ludwig on 07-Aug-2022
    You are welcome.
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

What a guy is Gary, despite his horrendous background, I can't begin to imagine what he went through. Biographies are probably more interesting than any fiction, and probably next to the Bible, science fiction/fantasy it's my favourite reading. Gary is always encouraging, polite and courteous, i stupendous account, thank you for these interviews, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Roy, thank you very much! Gary is one of the good guys. Terry.
reply by royowen on 07-Aug-2022
    I agree
Comment from Ulla
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Hi Terry, I do like your interviews with writers here on the site. They are interesting and very informative. What strikes me, though, is that all the writers you interview are all males. There are some good female writers on the site as well. It would give a more balanced outlook. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Ulla, you must have listened to my telephone conversation with my friend and FS member Ann today. I talked about that very issue. My first interview was with Helen. The next ones have been with men, not because they were men, but because I had read their work, received their reviews, and thought they were at the top of their game.

    Gary was chosen because Lee suggested I try a newer member. I had read his work and received his reviews, and when I researched him. I thought he was very interesting and would be a good interview.

    I research each person I interview. I read a lot of work in their portfolio, the reviews they have given, as well as reviews they have received. I do that before I ask for an interview.

    There is a back and forth as the questions are asked and answered. Some are added, some edited. Everyone has been great to work with.

    I do know there are a lot of talented women writers here on FS. Maybe more women than men. I read a lot of them.

    I don't usually read novels on FS. For some reason, it is hard for me to keep up with more than one book at a time. I read a couple of hundred a year on kindle, but only one at a time. The FS format for novels is difficult for me.

    A long-winded answer (sorry about) to say this: a reason I hate to be known as the interview guy is that I don't want the politics of it. Helen is starting to do some interviews. I applaud that. I am currently thinking of doing one more interview. If it comes off it will be a woman, who is a fairly new member. I think she is interesting. I need to do some research. And then see if she is willing. I didn't mean to bend your ear or eyes. Terry.
reply by Ulla on 07-Aug-2022
    Thanks a lot for this thorough answer. It's very kind of you, and I can assure you that you never bent my ears or eyes. I was just curious is all. And I do remember your interview with Helen now you're mentioning it. Kind regards, Ulla:)))
Comment from karenina
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Another great interview, Terry. I've enjoyed the insights each of your highlighted authors have provided. I came upon Gary early--he'd reviewed one of my (rarely attempted) prose pieces and dug in in earnest with a lot of editorial suggestions! What impressed me was that he was very helpful and very cordial in his presentation. I PM'd him and personally thanked him for that effort and fanned him right away. I had read his posts about his most unusual upbringing, and I am impressed with his ability to communicate not only the facts of his childhood but the ongoing emotional repercussions. He's a good-hearted man. I wish him must success and look forward to the next interview you do! (There will be more, I'm hoping!)

Karenina

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Karenina, I knew you had discovered him. I do research on the folks I have interviewed before I ask them for an interview. He is a great reviewer, editor, and writer. Thank you for reading, Terry.
reply by karenina on 07-Aug-2022
    I don't' think I "discovered" him~ but I recognized his talent and his commitment to helping his fellow Fanstorians, and had a bit of fun helping him to promote one of his early works! He is never pejorative in his reviews. I respect that!
reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Okay, you discovered me, and you were an early adapter for Gary. Terry
reply by karenina on 07-Aug-2022
    You're so kind!

    :)
Comment from Carol Hillebrenner
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

You asked some great questions, Terry, and produced a very good interview. Gary Maclean has had a very unusual life and obviously has driven himself to excel.

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Carol, thank you and are right about his background, very interesting fellow. Terry.
Comment from LJbutterfly
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

It's interesting how each of your interviews take on a different shape depending on the writer being interviewed. This was a brilliant idea and I'm enjoying every question and answer. So far, Gary has had the most non-traditional childhood of anyone interviewed. His life lends a great opportunity to write many memoir type pieces. Thank you for this very informative post.

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Thank you, Gary did have a most unusual start to his life, but he has done well and a great member for FS. I am glad you enjoyed it. Terry.
Comment from Carolyn Dooley
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

This was a great interview with Gary. He seems like a nice man. He is a great reviewer. I wish him lots of good luck in his writing. Thank you for sharing. Have a great evening.

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Carolyn, thank you for reading and reviewing. He is a great reviewer. He is also a most interesting fellow. Terry.
reply by Carolyn Dooley on 07-Aug-2022
    You are welcome.
Comment from jenintorre
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Wow what a wonderful read. I have not read any of this guy's work but am dying to do so after reading this. I found his writing and personal history enthralling. Thank you so much Terry for this interview. Jen.

 Comment Written 07-Aug-2022


reply by the author on 07-Aug-2022
    Jen, thank you for your six-star review!!! Gary is a very writer and reviewer; I think you will find his work interesting. Terry.