Hello Marilyn
Do you
plot or let the story unfold as you write? I’m a
pantser, which means I don’t plot or
outline or plan in advance. I always have
the title of the book and the name of the main characters before I start and I
know how I want the book to begin and end. Then I start writing. Writing the
“sagging middle,” is the most difficult. I’ll admit that process involves a lot
of rewriting.
What's
your favorite book you've written? I write in a variety of genres from women’s fiction to
romantic suspense to historical romance, and my first book published by The Wild
Rose Press, Under the Moon Gate, set in current day and WWII Bermuda,
combines all three genres. My family has vacationed in Bermuda about twelve
times and I’ve always wanted to set a book there. That book took me ten years
to write because it involved a lot of research and I had a day job, but it’s
the book I’m most proud of.
Do you have trouble saying goodbye to characters? No. While I’m writing a book they’re all up in my head, talking to me, acting out scenes, but when the voices stop, I know the book is done.
What tips
would you give a new writer? Finish the book. You
can’t correct a blank page but you can improve a manuscript draft. And read,
read, read. I don’t know a good author who is not also a voracious reader.
Do you
have to travel researching your book(s)? I don’t have to, but I believe it makes the setting
come alive and provides atmosphere. Usually I travel to a place, fall in love
with it, bring back all the literature I can from the trip, including menus,
museum brochures, anything and then I write the book.
and for a little fun...
What did you want to be when you grew up? I’ve always wanted to be a writer, ever since I read Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I was good in English, always writing scripts for school assembly programs, editing or writing articles for the school newspaper and writing for creative journals (poems and short stories). I majored in journalism (public relations) and minored in English (creative writing) in college so I became a corporate public relations consultant, have worked for corporations and had my own PR business. I didn’t get published in fiction until 2013.
What is
your favorite drink? Lemonade.
Do you
ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working
in a factory? No!
That would drive me insane.
Do you
have any hobbies? Reading
and traveling.
What is
your favorite comfort food? Chocolate chip ice cream. I recently had a short story published
about it—Stracciatella Gelato: Melting Time—where the elderly heroine is
transported back in time to her college days in Florence, Italy.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Marilyn-Baron-286807714666748/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynBaron
On Amazon Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Baron/e/B008PJFQPC/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
6 comments:
Interesting interview! I never heard the term “pantser “. I always enjoy Marilyn’s books!
Nanny,
Yes, "pantser" is a common term in the writing community. It means you essentially "fly by the seat of your pants," and don't plan or plot a book in advance. Thanks for commenting and for your kind words.
Hi! I enjoyed your interview--loved getting to know you better. I'm kind of a pantser too, so I can sympathize with all the middle woes :) Best of luck.
Barbara, It's so nice to hear from you. Thanks for commenting.
Marilyn Baron
Hi Marilyn: enjoyed your interview. The heroine in my next book is named Marilyn!
Fellow pantser here. Laura Ingalls Wilder books got me hooked on reading and writing, too! Nice interview!
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