Ask the Author: Mary Strand
Answered Questions (8)
Mary Strand
I fled down the street. Naked. :-)
Mary Strand
Ha! This is an easy one: HOGWARTS! In truth, I'd sneak out to Hogsmeade as often as possible (using the Marauders' map) to drink butterbeer, which I haven't had since last week). And I'd find the room of requirements, and live in the Gryffindor tower, and have adventures. I have my doubts about the Forbidden Forest, however. :-)
Mary Strand
Actually, I *need* a summer reading list! I'm deep in revisions right now, so I'm reading old English historical romances by Cathy Maxwell, one of my go-to authors when I'm deep in my own book world and want to savor a good read and know that I won't want to fling it against a wall! (lol.) I received Alec Baldwin's autobiography (or memoir; I haven't looked at it yet) for Mother's Day. But, indeed, I need suggestions for some light, snappy summer reading ... as soon as I turn in this book.
Mary Strand
Ha! My life would more likely form the basis of an adventure novel or a comedy! Honestly, the only mystery I can think of is why Hugh Jackman hasn't yet realized that I'm the woman of his dreams. The delay must be that he's just so dang focused on restraining orders. :-)
Mary Strand
This will seem trite, because I'm writing a YA series based on Pride and Prejudice, but my favorite fictional couple is Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. I love how much they had to work through to find their Happily Ever After but also that they are actually well suited: two strong individuals who, together, are even stronger.
Mary Strand
This sounds trite or possibly worthless, but my advice to aspiring writers is to write. And if you're writing, you're no longer an aspiring writer: you're a WRITER.
Aside from that, read books you love (whether or not they're in a genre in which you plan to write), watch movies with good plots and/or good dialogue, and write a book that makes YOU happy. Don't fret about what "the market" wants. Write what you want to write, because you'll write a better book that way. Good luck! And WRITE!
Aside from that, read books you love (whether or not they're in a genre in which you plan to write), watch movies with good plots and/or good dialogue, and write a book that makes YOU happy. Don't fret about what "the market" wants. Write what you want to write, because you'll write a better book that way. Good luck! And WRITE!
Mary Strand
At this very moment, I'm working on absolutely nothing! lol. I'm awaiting the final proof of book 2 in my Bennet Sisters YA series, BEING MARY BENNET BLOWS, which will be coming out this month. I *should* be working on revisions to book 3 in the series, CAT BENNET, QUEEN OF NOTHING, but my mind is on book 2. Fun series! I love these books and hope readers will, too!
Mary Strand
I used to say that I don't get writer's block, but I stand corrected. :-)
Truth is, there are (rare) days when I simply can't write (like, say, the day after an election, or when something really awful happens to me or to someone I care about), and I accept those days. (On those days, I try to read a good book instead.) The rest of the time, my best solution is to write: as in, follow my writing ritual, which consists of driving to a great coffee shop known as Sebastian Joe's, buy a triple-berry scone and a Diet Coke, try to nab the table by the fireplace, and spend about 10 minutes enjoying the scone and feeling happy before I start typing. It works 99 percent of the time.
When that doesn't work, I go for a long walk and think about the book. And then I go to Sebastian Joe's. :-)
Truth is, there are (rare) days when I simply can't write (like, say, the day after an election, or when something really awful happens to me or to someone I care about), and I accept those days. (On those days, I try to read a good book instead.) The rest of the time, my best solution is to write: as in, follow my writing ritual, which consists of driving to a great coffee shop known as Sebastian Joe's, buy a triple-berry scone and a Diet Coke, try to nab the table by the fireplace, and spend about 10 minutes enjoying the scone and feeling happy before I start typing. It works 99 percent of the time.
When that doesn't work, I go for a long walk and think about the book. And then I go to Sebastian Joe's. :-)
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