There's Always Something About Mary ... Isn't There?

I'm continually amazed at what I learn about other authors out and about these days. This week I'm anxious to tell you about MARY.

Mary, you say? Which Mary?

Well, anyone called Mary usually has something great to tell, don't you think? Let's see what we'll learn from Mary Manners, this grand lady who hails from the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband, Tim, and their daughter, Danni, as well as dogs Abby and Molly and cats Lucky and Gus. Mary is an award-winning, multi-published author of inspirational romance. You can visit her at http://www.marymannersromance.com/  

SKC: Welcome to you Mary. I love that porch where you are standing! Tell us what book or project would you like to speak about this week?

MM: I’d like to tell everyone about my contemporary inspirational romance, Mended Heart

SKC: That's a great title. What inspired you to come up with writing in your genre?

MM: I like to share God’s many blessings with my readers, and give a message of hope and happiness.

SKC: And how important it is for us to hear and read those things in this day! How long had you been writing before you got your call (or email) from an editor?

MM: I have been writing since birth!! No, really…I completed my first full-length story in the sixth grade, but had been seriously pursuing a writing career for about three years when I got the email from Nicola Martinez at White Rose Publishing.

SKC: And what a joy it must be for you to be at White Rose. There are great people over there. What advice do you have for other new authors coming into the field of writing, Mary?

MM: Write, write, write! The more you write, the better you become. Also, submit your work to contests and take the judges’ feedback to heart. You can learn a lot from another reader’s ‘fresh’ eyes.

SKC: I've not been one to enter contests. Maybe I'll change that this coming year. How do you overcome writer’s block, or do you ever get that?

MM: I mow.

SKC: You MOW?

MM: Seriously…I live on two acres and when a block hits, I go out and push mow. It’s like taking a sledgehammer to a dam. During cooler months, I light some scented candles and just sit in front of the keyboard until the words come. I do not pass go…you know the saying.

SKC: I've NEVER heard that one before. What a great way to think! Hmmm. Mow. Okay, what do you think it takes to write a good book?

MM: A great imagination, outstanding imagery, and a desire to share what’s in your heart. I also think life experiences bring a certain authenticity to a person’s writing. The older you get and the more you experience, the better you can relate to what a character feels in any given situation.

SKC: Thank you for the wonderful insight, Mary. What is your process of writing a novel, briefly—from conception to revision?

MM: I begin with a phrase, idea or situation and build on it brick by brick, like building a house. I begin by writing in a steno pad—character names, quirks, fears, likes, etc. Then I weave the first few chapters before transferring over to my laptop. I don’t typically use an outline, but have a good idea of where I’m going. Sometimes I’m surprised, though, which is always good.

SKC: We hope to share one of your books with one of our readers this week. Are you ready? Think of something you might ask a fan that would spark your interest in subject matter for your next project. What would that question be?

MM: (Here it is) Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment that you wished you could take back, because it changed the course of a relationship forever? If so, what was it, and how would you handle the situation differently if you were given a second chance?

SKC: Now, that's quite a question for reflection! See that, readers? We thank you for participating, Mary! Before you leave, tell us where the readers can find you and your work.

MM: Readers can find MENDED HEART at www.whiterosepublishing.com  and at www.amazon.com  or order autographed copies by visiting my website at www.marymannersromance.com 

SKC: Great. And I know someone will be looking forward to winning a copy. Thanks again.  Readers and viewers: Check out Mary's question for you above and send us your comments. Don't forget to include your email address for me. Names are drawn at random at the end. God bless you all.

Congratulations to Pegg Thomas of Ossineke, MI. You JUST won a copy of Mended Heart. Be watching for it soon. A great Christmas gift, yes? Blessings for a wonderful Christmas and New Year to you.