- Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?
When I start a book I do a page or two of a synopsis of what my idea for the book is. Then I use my baby book of 10K names to find my character names. This can take a while because the name has to fit the character. So it’s I will know it when I see it, kind of thing. And then once I get all the main starting characters ready, then I start writing and write until I finish. I do not quit until I’m done. I pretty much write by the seat of my pants. As I go, I add characters and background story to my synopsis so that I filter it in throughout the story. I do not want to do a big info dump. My synopsis can grow from a page to 15 pages or so by the time I’m done.
- What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
The Evelyn Talbot Series by Brenda Novak
The Hope’s Crossing Series or Haven Point Series by RaeAnne Thayne
The NorthStar Security Series by Stanalei Fletcher
- Tell us what you enjoy most about writing in your genre.
I just enjoy writing in general. I can close the door on everyone, crank up my tunes and let my imagination run wild. I can be in many different places. And the music is dependent on what I’m writing. Currently I’m writing a fantasy that mostly takes place in Ireland so I’m listening to Celtic Women and other Irish tunes. When I wrote Watching Jenny I listened to Gwen Stafani / No Doubt and Alanis Morissette.
- Describe the Beckett Series in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
The Beckett’s have a strong sense of family and honor.
- Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
I would like them to remember the book long after they’re finished. Fall in love with the characters. Especially my series I want them to want to read the next, then the next. And when they’re finished I want them to hope I write the next generation of Beckett’s, as I’ve hinted I may do.
- Share some advice for aspiring authors. What advice would you give to your younger self?
Join a book club full of readers, not other authors. This will pull you out of your comfort zone. There will be books you would never had picked up if it weren’t for book club. Some good and some not so good. But the best part is that you’ll hear what the readers liked and disliked about the author. It has really given me an insight into the reader.
- Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you deal with it?
I have never had it for an extended period of time. Usually I am blocked with a scene. If I step away from the story and clean or something that will clear my mind. Or the best would be going for a walk and maybe brainstorming with my husband while we walk.
- What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
My husband and I enjoy traveling. Of course that fuels the imagination. We also love to go to concerts. We enjoy hanging with friends and family. And like anyone, I love to lose myself in a book.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Three Brides and A Dress
My journey is more of a zig zag than a top stitch along a straight seam as I search for the perfect bride who is my soul mate.
Hi, my name is Bella and I’m one of Heidi by Design signature creations. I’m a wedding dress. Someday I’ll find a young bride with stars in her eyes and dreams of a future with her groom. I can imagine it now. The groom standing at the altar waiting, his gaze fixed to the door where his bride will appear and then walk toward him. I’ll hug her curves and she’ll shimmer and shine with the promise of what their life will be.
It all sounds simple and easy, doesn’t it?
Wrong…
My journey is more of a zig zag than a top stitch along a straight seam as I search for the perfect bride who is my soul mate.
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=06ypXHUeWmk
Website: marymartinez.com/three-brides-and-a-dress.html
~*~*~*~*~*~
The Beckett’s have a strong sense of family and honor.
When one of their own is threatened, their bond is as strong as a badge of steel.
The Beckett Series Trailer: youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=h8LLRR5hfGU
The Beckett Series Website: marymartinez.com/the-beckett-series.html
Disappear
The Beckett Series Book 1:
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Innocent
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Quiet
The Beckett Series Book 3Genre: Romantic Suspense
Illusion
The Beckett Series Book 4Genre: Romantic Suspense
Profit
The Beckett Series Book 5
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Abandoned
The Beckett Series Book 6
Genre: Romantic Suspense
~*~*~*~*~*~
Watching Jenny
Hot on Jenny’s trail, Dan soon learns ‘Runner’ is not one of the usual suspects.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=a0Sn8dnNa3s
Website: marymartinez.com/watching-jenny.html
~*~*~*~*~*~
Classic Murder: Mr. Romance
Making a date with a billionaire can be murder.
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=y1SGCZXmxhM
Website: marymartinez.com/classic-murder-mr-romance.html
~*~*~*~*~*~
Chick Magnet
He’s recuperating from a devastating wreck.
She’s recuperating from a broken heart.
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=aApYVIp957Y
Web Site: marymartinez.com/chick-magnet.html
~*~*~*~*~*~
Romance and Misconceptions
Twin sisters. Two Billionaire Boyfriends. One big Misunderstanding
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Trailer: youtube.com/watch?v=jJCEDtTqbSc
Website: marymartinez.com/romance-and-misconceptions.html
~*~*~*~*~*~
Four Sisters
It was the 60’s, she found love…
but started a war.
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Website: marymartinez.com/four-sisters.html
~*~*~*~*~*~
About the Author:
Mary and her husband love to travel, especially to the Caribbean for relaxing, and Italy for the wine. And most recently she discovered she was Irish and Scottish, of course they had to visit Ireland and Scotland. Mary fell in love with both, but the green hills of Ireland felt like home. With the experience from the exotic places she has visited, she is able to fill her books with colorful descriptions of cities, painting a colorful backdrop for her characters. One of her favorite US destinations is New York/Brooklyn, where her beloved Beckett’s live. When she visits, she can wander their neighborhoods, favorite parks, and visit their favorite pub, Putnum’s.
They are avid concert ‘Ho’s’! Yes, they pretty much want to do them all. They love outdoor amphitheaters the best and attend as many during the warmer months as possible.
Mary writes mostly romantic suspense, romance, women’s fiction, and she has just begun to dabble in young adult mystery. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). During her writing career she has been a conference coordinator, workshop presenter, and chapter president for the Utah Chapter of RWA. In 2007 she was presented with the Utah RWA service award in acknowledgment and appreciation for outstanding service. Mary has also participated in numerous library panels on writing and co-presented a workshop on writing a series at the League of Utah Writers conference.
Mary and her husband are also enthusiastic college football fans. They have season tickets to the UTES, University of Utah Football and they tailgate every game. They love tailgating so much, that they were married at a tailgating in 1999.
GO UTES!
Mary’s Social Media Links:
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/Mary-Martinez/e/B006MWJ1T6
Website: marymartinez.com
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorMaryMartinez
Twitter: twitter.com/marylmartinez
Instagram: instagram.com/mlmartinez3/
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/1646623.Mary_Martinez
YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCTww3B2ofa11UPFrSe0WGAg
Pinterest: pinterest.com/marylmartinez3
Mary’s Garden Blog: marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com
The After Work Cook: theafterworkcook.blogspot.com
Thank you for hosting me on your blog. I had fun with your interview!