It is always a pleasure to welcome back a good friend, share a warm beverage, relax in a comfy chair, and chat about what drives our lives—writing! My guest today is Marja McGraw. We met via the 2011 Mystery We Write Blog Tour, and plan to repeat that online experience in 2012. But first, let’s talk writing. Welcome, Marja!
Anne - What best sums you up as an author?
Marja - We had a Springer Spaniel who was so focused when there was a tennis ball around that we figured if we could read his mind we’d see ‘ball, ball, ball, ball, ball’. My husband says if he could read my mind he’d read ‘book, book, book, book, book’. He says when I have a faraway look in my eyes, he knows I’m either thinking about writing or reading. He’s right. I’m all about books and writing.
Anne - Tell us about your most recent release.
Marja - Bogey’s Ace in the Hole is the second in the Bogey Man series will be released very soon. This one is a little different because it features four little old Church Ladies.
The only people who might strike terror in the hearts of Chris and Pamela Cross are the Church Ladies, who want them to find a missing friend. When the friend turns up on her own, Chris finds a new kind of terror--a Murder for Hire plot overheard by the missing woman.
Along with the Church Ladies, his wife Pamela, their son Mikey, and two overzealous yellowLabrador retrievers, Chris tries to find not only a potential killer, but the intended victim. Thankfully, being the Bogey Man, Chris has an ace up his sleeve when push comes to shove.
Along with the Church Ladies, his wife Pamela, their son Mikey, and two overzealous yellow
Anne – Sounds like my kind of book! Do you have a fear, phobia, or habit you’d rather no one knew about?
Marja - Driving on mountain roads is both a fear and phobia. Bad habits? I smoke, and I’m not proud of it. One of these days I’ll overcome the habit. I hope.
Anne – I can relate to the fear of driving on mountain roads. I’m a basket case when we travel over a pass. How long does it take you to write a book?
Marja - It generally takes about six to nine months, but I work about five to six hours a day, seven days a week. Of course, that includes marketing and promoting, writing a blog and half a dozen other things. Of course, I’m not including the time it takes to plan a book. Coming up with an idea can be daunting sometimes.
Anne - Describe your home office as appears right now. Is this a good or bad thing?!
Marja - If a neat freak saw it right now, it would probably make them cry. Well, I suppose it’s mostly just the desk, but I’ve got to dust and clean, and get rid of some of the candy wrappers. Speaking of candy, I think I’ll take a short chocolate break. (You think I’m joking?)
Anne – Well, don’t forget about me! I love chocolate. Mmm. Okay. We’re back. How long did your journey from wannabe writer to published author take?
Marja - It actually took about ten years simply because I had no idea what I was doing. Once I began to figure it out, it was about another year. Unfortunately, writing and publishing don’t come with manuals. Okay, there are some How To books, but at the time I had no idea they existed, and I lived in a very small town with a limited selection of books at the library. I didn’t know any other authors and had no one to answer questions for me.
Anne - How many books have you written to date? Are you most proud of one in particular? If so, why?
Marja - I write two series. There are currently five books in the Sandi Webster series, and Bogey’s Ace in the Hole is the second in the Bogey Man series. I also initially self-published two books, but I don’t talk about them too much.
I have to say my favorite so far is Old Murders Never Die in the Sandi Webster series. She and her partner, Pete, become stranded in a ghost town and discover a series of murders dating back to the 1800s. Although I had to do a lot of research, I was also able to use my imagination. I had a lot of fun writing this one.
Anne - Of all the characters you’ve created, does one hold a special place in your heart? Why?
Marja - Don’t laugh, but I’d have to say Livvie Brewster, Sandi Webster’s menopausal mother. She can be outrageous, but still lovable. You’ll love to hate her one minute and just love her the next. I guess I can relate to her mood swings. And she frequently wants to involve herself in Sandi’s cases. The relationship between Sandi and Livvie grows throughout the series. I kind of flip back and forth between Livvie and Sandi’s elderly neighbor, Dolly, because Dolly was inspired by my grandmother.
Anne - What are the most surprising things you’ve learned about yourself from your writing?
Marja - That I can have fun even though I’m working, I have more than one story to write, and other authors can be so generous with their time and help. It’s encouraged me to be there for others. I’ve met some truly wonderful people through my writing, both other authors and readers.
Anne – Again, I can relate. Writers are very generous people, and there is never a loss for words! Any words of advice for struggling, unpublished writers?
Marja - Remain open-minded about advice from other authors and publishers. When you’re absolutely sure you’ve written a perfect book, go back and look at it one last time. Try to remain humble, and yet take pride in your work. Never lose sight of the fact that you’re one author in a field of many, and that in itself will keep you humble.
Thank you, Anne, for inviting me to visit today. You’re definitely one of the generous writers I spoke about in this interview.
Anne –You’re most welcome, Marja! I’ve enjoyed every minute. Readers, you can find Marja online at her website and blog.
Take a look at her two book trailers:
and
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