      
      
      
An Interview
With
Marion Marshall
ER!-Marion,
thank you so much for actually agreeing to bare your soul
on eBooks Rock!<bg>
Let's talk books! Cimarron Surrender has received
fantastic reviews. The raves for Last Ticket To Paradise
have been just as awesome. Can you tell us a little
about these two books from New Concepts Publishing?
MM-I've
been thrilled with the reviews for both books.
Last Ticket To Paradise received my first 5-star
review ever, so that was an especially big
thrill. Both books have since received several
5 star reviews, but each one is special. It's
also a very humbling experience for one of my little
stories to be so well received. Critical
success is something we all crave, I think, but
something I never quite expected.
Last Ticket To Paradise has been especially good to
me. It was a finalist in the historical romance
category for the first Eppie Awards, given in August
of this year, and was also a Frankfurt nominee.
The biggest thrill about this book, however, is that
I was able to write it at all. I wrote the
first four of my published books prior to my
husband's death, and afterwards, could not write
anything for nearly five years. So when the
inspiration for Last Ticket To Paradise hit me, I was
terrified that I wouldn't be able to write it at
all. Thankfully, that initial terror passed and
the book turned out very well.
Cimarron Surrender was written a year later. It
was the first book I've ever written that hit me one
morning and by that afternoon I'd written the first
three or four chapters. I usually research and
plan for weeks before ever sitting down at the
computer and actually writing anything. But
this story was so compelling that I just sat down,
started writing, and it just poured out of me.
It was a really unique experience, and one that I
hope will repeat itself at some point.
Both of these books feature heroes that a bit more
vulnerable than the heroes in the previous four
books. Tough, strong, determined men are easy
to write, but the complex, vulnerable ones are more a
challenge. I think both Mitch Cole from Last
Ticket To Paradise and Kane Darcy from Cimarron
Surrender embody many qualities that combine the
strength of romance heroes with the vulnerability
that makes a man attractive to a strong woman.
ER!-Cimarron
Surrender and Last Ticket To Paradise are far from being
your only two books. Correct me if I'm wrong, but
there's also Forbidden Harvest, Silver Obsession, Amber
Moment, and Prairie Passage. You're amazing!
Of all your books, is there a favorite, one that is
closest to your heart?
MM-Amber
Moment will always be the book closest to my
heart. It wasn't the first book I wrote, but it
was the first one published. It was one of four
titles chosen by New Concepts Publishing in 1996 to
launch the company. That alone makes it special, but
the true reason it's so close to my heart is that it
was my late husband's favorite. When I was
writing the last couple of chapters, he stood over my
shoulder and read as I wrote the ending. He
wasn't much of a reader, but he was fanatical about
me pursuing a career in writing and the fact that he
loved this book, makes it very special to me.
ER!-How
long does it usually take for you to write a book? And
what are you currently working on?
MM-It
normally takes about eight to ten weeks to write a
book. My friends and family say I'm obsessed
because when I'm writing, I don't hear the phone or
the doorbell. I live, eat, breathe, and sleep
that book until it's finished. I wake up at
three o'clock in the morning and rush to the computer
to put down the next scene, or to my research library
to check on a fact that I'm unsure about, or just sit
up in bed and make notes on a pad that I keep there
so I don't forget that next great line of dialogue
that just came to me. <g>
I really wish I could take six months or a year to
write a book. I'm sure I'd get a whole lot more
rest if I could work that way, but I've never been
able to do that. From the moment the story idea
hits me until I write The End, I am totally consumed
by it. I'm working on slowing down but so
far I haven't been successful. <g>
I'm currently doing research for a contemporary
romance suspense/mystery/thriller that's loosely
based on a true experience I had some years
ago. The heroine of this story is a nurse, so
I'm in the process of learning how to do nursing
things. I work at our local hospital and in my
spare time, I'm driving the nurses crazy asking
questions and making notes. They have been very
helpful and are all very interested in my
writing. Of course, they also want this book
dedicated to them. <g>
ER!-Is
there a book out there that you're just dying to write
but for some reason haven't?
MM-Yes,
as a matter of fact. I want to write a sequel
to Amber Moment. I even have the research done and
the story line plotted. I just haven't found
the right opportunity to write it yet. I'm also
a bit nervous about being able to recreate Morgan and
Amber. I've never tried to write a sequel so
I'm not sure I would be able to recapture what made
those two characters
so unique.
ER!-What
would you say has been your biggest writing challenge?
MM-My
biggest challenge is probably the same one so many
authors face---just having the time to write. I
have a full time job and the responsibility of caring
for an aged parent, plus my local writing group, my
critique group, and I'm also coordinating the 2001
Eppie contest. I'm very active in Epic, of
which I am a founding member. I served two
terms as treasurer and coordinated the first Eppie
contest as well, so I stay busy. I keep thinking that
I'll slow down and take more time to write, but other
projects and the need to bring in a steady paycheck
seem to keep getting in the way.
ER!-Many
writers have written since they were young. They were
daydreamers. Avid readers. What about you? Has your
passion to write always been there?
MM-I
can't remember a time when I didn't love books.
I've been reading voraciously since childhood,
starting with the classics, and then moving into
romance in my early twenties. I've wanted to
write for the same length of time. I have a box
full of short stories, poems, and scripts that I
wrote throughout my teens. Of course, no one
will ever see them, but I'd have to say that becoming
an author has always been my dream. The biggest
thrill of my life came when I received the first
contract from New Concepts Publishing for Amber
Moment in July of 1996. Few people actually see
their dreams realized so I feel I am truly blessed,
and I'm very thankful.
ER!-Is
there anything out there that you'd like to do, but
haven't yet been given the opportunity?
MM-I'd
like to be able to stay home and write full
time. I have a notebook full of story ideas
that I want to make into books. I only write
one book a year so at that rate, I'll be about 100
before they all make it into novels. <g>
ER!-Is
there a book that you've written, but we'll never see?
Why?
MM-Absolutely!
My first attempt at writing a novel lies in the
bottom of my bookcase, where it shall remain
forever. It has a good story line but the
writing is so awful that I won't even let my critique
partner look at it.
When I wrote this book in 1984, I did not have access
to writing groups such as we have today. I
thought I was the only person in the world crazy
enough to try writing a novel. Once I learned
that other people are indeed, this crazy, I began
looking for how-to books that could teach me what I
obviously didn't know.
It wasn't until I got my first computer however, and
got online with access to writing groups and online
classes that I really began to define myself as an
author. I'd have to say that the most important
lessons I've learned about writing came from Madris
DePasture at New Concepts Publishing. Not only
is she the owner and publisher of the company, she is
also my editor. She and her little blue pen have
taught me more about the craft of writing than I
could possibly have learned elsewhere. I've
been very fortunate that she has taken the time to
teach me all the things I didn't know when I
submitted my first book to them. She has been
wonderful to work with and a great teacher. I'm
very grateful to her.
ER!-If you
weren't a writer, what would you be doing?
MM-Probably
exactly what I'm doing now. I am the
administrative secretary for our local
hospital. That's a fancy term for typing,
filing, taking care of the employees insurance and
personnel matters, and basically keeping my boss
happy. It's a great job and I really enjoy it.
ER!-Of all
the character's you've written about, who would you say
is most like you? And why?
MM-I
can't think a single character I've created is more
like the real me than any other. There are
facets of me in every heroine I create but I've never
based a character on myself, per se. Katie Wainwright
in Forbidden Harvest is based on my life long friend
and strongest supporter.
I did create one character that is the total opposite
of me, however. The villain in my Civil War
historical that is being released this month is the
most fascinating character I've ever written.
She is mean, evil, underhanded, and will do anything
to anyone to get what she wants. I loved
creating her because she is so different from me.
ER!-What's
the non-writing world like for you? Is there a husband, a
boyfriend, a couple of each? Children?
MM-My
non-writing world is pretty boring actually. I
live alone, except for my dog and cat. My
husband passed away eight years ago and I've never
found anyone who could remotely take his place, so a
boyfriend is not on my list of priorities. I
have two daughters who are married with families of
their own, and I have five delightful grandchildren.
ER!-Many
readers wonder what's going on in an author's head, and
here's the part where we find out <g>.
Describe yourself in one line:
MM-I'm
an observer of human nature; people fascinate me.
ER!-(Finish
this sentence) On a Saturday night you'll find me...
MM-Sitting
in front of my computer working on promotion for my
published books or making notes for a new one.
ER!-If I
were a cartoon character I'd be...
MM-Wilma
Flintstone. I have a tribe of friends who seem
to think I can solve all their problems.
<g> Maybe that's because I'm a good
listener.
ER!-If I
could have one wish, I would wish...
MM-I
wish I could make enough money writing to take care
of my mom comfortably in her old age, send my
grandchildren to college, relieve the financial
burdens on my children, and have enough left over to
visit places I want to write about.
ER!-What
kind of car do you drive?
MM-A
1986 Chevy Caprice. It has served me well over
the last 14 years.
ER!-What
kind of car do you *want* to drive?
MM-I'd
love a late model Ford Explorer or Chevy
Blazer. SUV's have so much room and are so
comfortable to drive and I could haul all my stuff
around in it.
ER!-Answer
the following questions as quickly as possible, but feel
free to expand on any of your answers (Hey, it's not a
test).:
What's your favorite movie?
MM-Gone
With The Wind. It's the greatest romance movie
of all time.
ER!-Favorite
song?
MM-My
Heart Will Go On from the Titanic movie because it
embodies how I feel about my husband.
ER!-Favorite
snack?
MM-Popcorn
ER!-Favorite
book?
MM-The
Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss because it
was the book that made me fall in love with the
romance genre.
ER!-Typewriter
or computer?
MM-Computer,
absolutely. I couldn't live without it.
<g>
ER!-Soup or
salad?
MM-Salad,
because I'm on a perpetual diet.
ER!-Pre-planner
or blind leap?
MM-Both,
actually. Most of the time I plan meticulously,
but occasionally I have a wild moment and do
something completely spontaneous.
ER!-Turkey
burger or steak?
MM-Usually
it's the turkey burger because of the diet thing, but
I can only live so long without a real steak.
<g>
ER!-Slacks
or jeans?
MM-Jeans,
except when I'm at work. The hospital frowns on
causal wear for some odd reason.
ER!-Boxers
or briefs?
MM-Neither.
<g> I have an old ratty flannel nightgown
that I absolutely love.
ER!-Are
blondes really more fun?
MM-I've
been blonde all my life and I've had a pretty good
time, so I'd have to say yes. <g>
ER!-Have
you ever held anyone hostage?
MM-Not
yet, but that's only because Mel Gibson has never
wandered into my vicinity.
ER!-Do you
believe in love at first sight?
MM-Of
course, I'm a romance writer. <g>
ER!-Are
aliens real?
MM-Absolutely.
I work with some everyday. <g>
ER!-If you
could vote members off of Gilligan's Island, who would
get the boot first?
MM-Ginger,
because anyone who looks that great all the time gets
on my nerves. <g>
ER!-If
Godzilla and Superman got into a street fight (no weapons
allowed), who would win?
MM-Superman,
because he wouldn't have to stop and pick pedestrians
from between his toes.
ER!-What is
one thing about you that very few know?
MM-That
I'm really very shy. I'm not comfortable in
large groups or at parties and I tend to enjoy my
solitude.
ER!-What is
your greatest fear?
MM-My
greatest fear is that after I finish one book, I'll
never be able to write another. This is an
on-going phobia and lasts until I actually sit down
at the computer and start writing that next project.
ER!-And
finally (and you can take your time on this one:-)),
what's next for you? Your next book? Writing venture?
Goal?
MM-My
next project is the mystery I mentioned
earlier. I'm still in the plotting stages but I
hope to be able to start writing in a few
weeks. I seem to work better during the winter
and that's when I do the bulk of my writing.
My goals are to continue supporting electronic
publishing to the very best of my abilities, to write
the best possible books that I can, to promote
my work the best I can, to help new writers achieve
their dreams through my local writing group and
online, and to continue helping EPIC become the most
respected voice in electronic publishing. And I
wouldn't mind making a ton of money along the way
either. <g>
Visit Marion Marshall's Site
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