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Meet author Mary Ann Marlowe!
Learn all about her writing process, her favorite romance tropes, and where she stands on a very important debate.
So read on for some behind the scenes info exclusive to Military Spouse!
Describe your novella in five words.
Some romance heroes are real.
Do you ever base your characters off of the people in your life?
I did when I first started writing. My first book (not published) was quasi-autobiographical as I got the hang of building characters and structuring a plot. Now, my characters come to me out of my imagination, growing in personality as I get to know them better. Of course, pieces of real people get woven in since a lot of writing is rehashing my experiences into something new.
If you could spend one day with any character from your book, who would it be?
That would have to be Max. He’s always baking some delicious treat, and I’d just pull up a stool and be his test subject.
What is the one book you could read over and over?
Dangerous Liaisons. I think it’s the perfect book. It’s written in epistolary form, so we experience events from multiple perspectives, naïve points of view juxtaposed with those of the villains. Plus, there’s an unlikely (though heart-breaking) romance that blossoms against everyone’s will. What’s not to love about that?
How long does it take you to write your books?
I’m a fast drafter and a long reviser. I write a first draft in one to two months, but then I will spend another few weeks plot-boarding what I’ve written and re-structuring story or looking for ways to deepen characters. I go through rounds with readers to help hammer out any snags. And then I spend forever nitpicking wording. All in all, it can take six months or more to realize the book I want.
What is your favorite part of the writing process?
When I’m drafting, I’ll say revising. When I’m revising, I’ll say drafting. But my truly favorite part is the first time I sit down and read this thing I created from front to back to discover what it is. I imagine it’s what it would be like to work on an impressionist painting for a month and then finally take a step back to see the whole. A lot of it needs finessing, but there are always parts that surprise me in a good way.
What advice would you give to your younger self about writing?
Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Every book begins like twelve different puzzles dumped into a pile. It takes time to sort out the proper bits, put them together, and bring the picture into focus.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?
I play a lot of Zelda, go to amusement parks with my kids, read, binge on TV series, attend concerts, learn foreign languages, and whenever I have the time and money, I travel.
Do you have a process for working through writer’s block?
I’ve always said my subconscious is smarter than I’ll ever be, so I let it take over when my brain is being stubborn. Stepping away from the keyboard completely to take a nap, shower, go for a drive, or exercise often gives my creativity a chance to run wild, and I start to hear characters talking or narrative taking shape. The trick is to get to the computer before I lose the words.
What is the one book you cannot part with?
I’d say Game of Thrones, except that I’ve parted with it at least a dozen times. But the thing is, I keep re-buying it for myself. I’ve been reading the series since around 2000, and before the HBO series began, I kept trying to talk other people into reading it as well, so I’d give them my copy. Then I’d want to read it again. I re-read the entire series whenever a new volume comes out. You know, once every 6 years.
Do you have a favorite character trope to read? What about write?
My favorite trope to read, hands down, is enemies to lovers. I love the sparks and the slow burn of it. My favorite to write is rock star romance. I’m obsessed with musicians and love to explore the boundaries between fame and intimacy.
Do you do any hands-on research for your books? Have you had a favorite experience?
I tend to draw on my past experiences or Google things that fall outside my personal knowledge. But once I’ve started writing, I keep my eyes peeled for opportunities to test my imagination against reality. While writing Dating By the Book, I spent time in different indie bookstores really breathing in the atmosphere and taking note. My favorite such experience was while I was drafting a book about a weatherman and had the good fortune to do a spot on a morning news show. I spent my entire time off camera gawking at the set-up, so I could weave some realistic details into my own news studio setting.
Where do you fall on the bookmark vs dog-ear debate?
This question wounds me. I’m 100% team bookmark, though my idea of a bookmark is anything flat. That might be a gum wrapper or a discarded bill. However, I am a book bind breaker-inner and will crack the spine of any large tome ahead of time so it doesn’t wear in a groove. Otherwise, I like my pages of the book to remain pristine.
To connect with Mary Ann, visit her website. And to get your own copy of DATING BY THE BOOK click here!