Interview with Mary D. Brooks
Welcome to the Cyber
Porch where eNovel Authors gather to chat.
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It is a lovely cool day with just a bit of drizzle in the air on my back porch today. Perfect for sharing a pot of Earl Gray tea as eNovel member Mary D. Brooks and I have a chat about her fabulous career. Mary is multi-talented. Artist, actress, writer–and describes herself as an Australian of Greek origins who has too many imaginary friends and a passion to write about strong women and unbreakable love. For twenty years Mary has hosted the top-rated The Australian Xena Information Page: www.ausxip.com/xena, to showcase fandom for Xena Warrior Princess. But let’s just hear from Mary in her own words.
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Before 2000 I had written and published short stories. It wasn’t until 2000 that I sat down to write my first novel. I’ve written six novels and one companion book to the first novel delving into the history behind the novel; a radio play based on one of my novels and some non-fiction books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
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My last book was “No Good Deed.” I’m currently writing the sequel to that novel called “Nor The Battle To The Strong.” It was inspired by the idea that running away from your worst fears isn’t the solution, but facing them will make you stronger.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
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Not really. I sit down and I write. I have to stop myself writing dialogue in my head because I will lose it by the time I get to a notebook.
What authors or books have influenced you?
Marietta D. Moskin, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Agatha Christie, Patricia Cornwell, Kathy Reichs, Peter David.
What are you working on now?
My seventh novel and the sixth in the Intertwined Souls Series that I mentioned earlier: “Nor The Battle To The Strong”.
What is your best method when it comes to promoting your books?
Trial and error. I don’t promote on twitter. I use Twitter to showcase stuff I enjoy reading or topics other people might find interesting including books. I prefer promoters with mailing lists and ethical promoters. No shady stuff. I have a select group of promoters that I go with. I’m open to new promoters but I do research about them first.
How beneficial is networking to your success?
I’ve been involved in TV show fandom for twenty years. One thing I’ve learnt is that you have to be authentic. So being yourself and showing others there is more to you than throwing your book in their face is paramount.
Do you have any advice for new indie authors?
It looks intimidating and it is BUT! Don’t get overwhelmed by the enormity of it all. Sit down, shift through all the noise and concentrate on what you want to achieve. Then research until you have it all straight in your head.
What is the best advice you ever acted upon? You have a dream, go for it.
What are you reading now? Broken Angels by Gemma Liviero
What’s next for you as a writer?
Trying to finish Book Seven and hearing my radio play, A Widgie Knight on Sherri’s Playhouse on BlogTalkRadio.com. It’ my debut as a playwright. My characters are coming to life!
If you were stranded on a desert island name 3 books you would like to have with you. Why?
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Love the story of it’s never too late to change. Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. It’s about friendship and love. I Am Rosemarie by Marietta D. Moskin, Wonderful theme about owning the power to overcome whatever life throws at you.
Name one unique thing that few people know about you. Loyalty, honesty and trust. You break them, you are no longer in my world. Life is way too short for bulldust.
That is a wonderful closing line, Mary. Can’t beat it. Thank you so much for joining me on my Cyber Porch and sharing your journey. It’s been a delight. I sense there is a greater depth to you than shared here. I need to learn how to ask keener questions. END.
As usual, I’m begging for Follows on Amazon.
Big Red. Tame feral cat. He loves the rain. Spends time in mud puddles to annoy frogs.
Thank you all for joining Mary and I on Back Porch Cyber Chatter. We’ve enjoyed having you peek over our shoulders. Wonder of wonders, due to the light mist we were not distracted by a single bit of wildlife. (Except for Big Red, the tamest of all feral cats.) All are tucked snug into nests or stables. I’m Jackie Weger, Founder of eNovel Authors at Work a blog where indie authors can find good and useful tips about our indie craft and universe. You can find out more about Mary D. Brooks here. Or Follow Mary on Amazon so you won’t miss her newest release. Comments Welcome! Become our newest BFF’s! Share the Tweets!
Thank you, Mary for sharing your insights and career steps. I like that we see years 2000 to 2016 to produce books. I know you’ve done so many other writing bits. But, you let new authors glimpse success without producing a book a month. Love it! I do own all of your books.
Looking forward to Nor the Battle to the Strong.
Best, Jackie Weger
Thanks Jackie. I’m looking forward to finishing Nor The Battle To The Strong because this baby is ready to be born. Thanks for the opportunity with the interview!
You are so very welcome Mary. You are a wonderful and awesome member of eNovel. We are so glad to have you tripping cyberspace with us.
I agree – trust is key!
My ex-Mother-in-law (bless her, she’s since passed away) said that trust is like a drinking glass. You shatter the glass and you can never restore it- you can glue it but it won’t be the same.
#bulldust! Love it!
Yep life is just way way way too short for mind games and idiocy.
Mary, your novels have strong titles, and now I see why – you’re a Xena fan! Good to learn more about you here.
A fellow Xenite? awesome! Strong women on that show.
Big Red looks lovely. Love those tiger stripes.
Redheads rule 🙂
Nicely done, Mary.
Great interview giving us the chance to learn more about Mary Dee. I love that last line – life is too short for bulldust. Going to steal that!
And Big Red is beautiful.
Steal away and thank you.
You had me at Earl Gray tea!
Lovely interview, Jackie and Mary.
I recently, became a fan of Patricia Cornwell. I was especially fascinated by ‘Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper—Case Closed’.
Oooo, I’ve read all of Patricia Cornwell’s books. Love ’em.
IMO her best novel was From Potters Field – that totally blew me away.
Patricia Cornwell is a master storyteller. Just superb.
So nice to get to know more about you, Mary! Appreciate your advice re Indies needing to sift through the mountain of stuff out there and find what works for them. Sage words, indeed!
Thanks, Jackie, for sharing…. 🙂
A year ago when I went Indie, I was truly overwhelmed by all the information. I found it just gobsmackingly difficult. Once I got my head around it, I could sift through the dross to get to the intelligent stuff 🙂 Jackie’s site was one of my favourites to go to and check stuff.
Big Red looks like my Zoe (passed away 4 years ago). I have a fondness for redheads whether they are people or animals!
Lovely interview – enjoyed sitting for a bit to savor.
Nice and no bulldust. I used to be a redhead, but now I’m white. 😀
Bulldust free zone. Once a redhead, always redhead 🙂
I am loving these interviews. It’s nice learning more about these talented writers.
–Emily (EM Kaplan)
Wonderful interview between two of my favorite authors! Mary Dee has a wonderful straight forward approach. Thank you for doing this, Jackie, this is a great way to get to know our fellow authors.
Terrific chat, ladies. A Christmas Carol is timeless for its message. Totally agree, Mary, and it’s perfect to read on an exotic island. The added benefit would be it’d be cooling in the heat with all that chill and snow, LOL 😉