Marilyn Howard’s
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
The Writing on the Wall
Book Summary
An astounding true story of a young woman driven by her desire to escape chauvinism blazes a whirlwind path full of mystical encounters and unexpected adventures. From love to lawsuits, her business and personal life intertwine, bringing her to untold heights. Uncanny predictions at a chance encounter with a Fulbright Scholar from India follow her throughout life, as if written on the wall and fated to happen.
Chauvinism from her youth make her determined to explore opportunities. She breaks through a glass ceiling of seventy men, enjoys traveling for a year, and returns to found an innovative startup in New York City. Whether skiing the powdery snow in Aspen, or waking up on a beach in Mexico to men with machine guns, each adventure brings challenges and insights to add to an ever-broadening awareness. A lucky break merges with swirling thoughts to ignite a new business. Running a successful startup attracts ADWEEK Magazine of New York. She places first on their list of “The Dynamic Dozen.” It should have been smooth sailing, but sharks were circling. A court battle followed.
Entertaining and inspirational stories are told from pivotal times in history. Readers gain skills about life and business. The narrative will make you laugh at humanity, provoke anger at infuriating situations and leave you inspired to reach goals. Stimulating questions are raised, which will generate a deeper introspection.
Publisher: Hammond Publishing (August 2019)
ISBN-10: 1733319638
ISBN-13: 978-1733319638
ASIN: B07WXTKQ1H
Print Length: 293 pages
Purchase a copy of The Writing on the Wall on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
Author Interview
Describe your writing process. Do you outline, plot and plan, or is your writing more organic?
1) I start with a list of the interesting stories and occurrences floating in my mind, then tie them together in a plot or general outline. Development may require research. Before writing content, I examine the prime points and how to develop a climax. The start will draft settings and characters. Then it is back to the outline to see how it can be strengthened. I will probably first work on the part emerging in my swirling thoughts. There will be at least five rereads of the finished draft and a book will go through an editor.
What are some books or authors that you would recommend to our readers?
I enjoy historical fiction and fiction with some foot in an identifiable place or time period. A few authors are Stephanie Dray, Fiona Davis, Anya Seaton, Amor Towles, Tracy Reese, and Amy Belding Brown.
What have you found to be most challenging about writing MEMOIRS?
3) Memoirs are voluminous, probably the largest section of most public libraries. It is difficult for a new memoir to emerge unless by or about a famous person. Many interesting lives are more likely to wind up as characters in fiction than on the bestseller list.
Have you been able to incorporate your previous experience in your jobs/education in your writing?
4) I’ve done a lot of business writing during my career but never realized I had the skill to become an author until later. In my Creative Freelancers business, I worked with commercial artists and writers, mainly in advertising and publishing. I reviewed many portfolios and sometimes critiqued promotions and business projects. I didn’t represent authors, but have enjoyed reading since childhood. I knew what worked and didn’t. Now I review my writing in a similar fashion.
Do you identify with your main character or did you create a character that is your opposite?
5) It was my life that made me become a writer. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. There were many memories to capture before I forgot. Of course, that made me the main character. However, I didn’t plan on becoming an author till years later. When I reread my notes, I had the Eureka moment. My life was a unique and entertaining story from a pivotal time in the women’s movement. I knew it was an astonishing story and others could benefit from my experiences. I didn’t have mentors or today’s resources, but had a deep desire to overcome the chauvinism of my youth and search for adventure. It led to more than I could imagine. If I write another book, I will start by putting myself in the character’s position. Then the actions flow.
Describe the book in 10 words or less for people who are just learning about it.
6) Astonishing true story of mystery, adventure and women breaking limits.
Is there anything you would like people to take away from your book?
7) I hope readers come away with a better understanding of a pivotal generation that opened many doors for women today. I also hope my suggestions help others avoid potholes. Human nature is unchanged, despite the passage of time. Readers have said that the book was inspiring and of real help.
What has been the toughest criticism you have received as an author? What has been the best compliment?
8) A reviewer arrogantly considered my life story to be fiction. I was angry. I knew my early life memories and palm reading experience would have some doubters, but the reviewer didn’t live my life, so couldn’t be certain. Before I wrote the book, those stories might get a shrug of the shoulders if related verbally. They knew I was being truthful, but thought my memory might play tricks. In the book, I surrounded the experiences by many other acceptable early memories, hoping it would verify an accurate mind. I went out of the way to be factual, and will swear to anything in the book.
The best compliment is that many people have come forward saying they learned from the book and it was a great read. A few have related similar early memories.
About the Author
Marilyn Howard broke through the glass ceiling at Grey Advertising of New York to become their first female art director while in her early twenties. In 1970, she founded an innovative startup. Creative Freelancers Inc. became the first agency to connect businesses with freelance artists and writers, and operated for over 25 years in the center of Manhattan. ADWEEK Magazine of New York featured her in “The Dynamic Dozen,” those women under forty they identified as most likely to succeed. In 1997, her company became the first agency on the Internet. The author holds a B.F.A. from Syracuse University.
Visit her online at:
Her website: http://www.thewritewall.com/
Her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marilyn-Howard/author/B07XFPWDK2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063965286663
Blog Tour Calendar
October 9th @ The Muffin
Join WOW’s blog at The Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Marilyn Howard’s memoir The Writing on the Wall. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
October 11th @ Stranded in Chaos
Join Sara for her review of The Writing on the Wall.
http://www.strandedinchaos.com/
October 13th @ World of My Imagination
Join Nicole for her review of The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
https://worldofmyimagination.com
October 15th @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie’s blog for her interview with author Marilyn Howard about her book The Writing on the Wall.
October 18th @ Bring on Lemons
Join Crystal for her review of The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
October 19th @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy’s blog for her review of The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/
October 20th @ A Storybook World
Join Deirdra as she features a spotlight of The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
https://www.astorybookworld.com/
October 21st @ A Wonderful World of Books
Visit Joy’s blog for a guest post by Marilyn Howard about life skills and how not to trip and fall on the small stuff.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
October 23rd @ Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
Join Lisa for her interview with author Marilyn Howard about her book The Writing on the Wall.
October 24th @ School Librarian in Action
Join Zarah as she reviews The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
https://lovealibrarian.blogspot.com/
October 25th @ Choices
Visit Madeline’s blog for a guest post by author Marilyn Howard about palm reading and the science behind it.
http://www.madelinesharples.com/
October 27th @ The Faerie Review
Join Lily as she reviews The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com
November 1st @ Pick a Good Book
Join Debbie as she reviews The Writing on the Wall on her Instagram page. You’ll also have a chance to win a copy of the book, too!
https://instagram.com/pickagoodbook
November 2nd @ Katherine Itacy’s blog
Join Katherine for her review of The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
November 3rd @ StoreyBook Reviews
Visit Leslie’s blog for a guest post by Marilyn Howard about daydreams and keeping your eyes open to opportunities.
https://www.storeybookreviews.com/
November 5th @ Pick a Good Book
Debbie shares a guest post by Marilyn Howard over at her blog today that talks about some good news regarding childhood disabilities.
November 8th @ The Mommies Reviews
Visit Glenda’s blog for her review of The Writing on the Wall by Marilyn Howard.
http://www.themommiesreviews.com/
