Romance at Heart Magazine Author Interview: Mary Winter

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Interview with Mary Winter:

Hi Mary. Thank you for doing this interview. I would like to welcome you to the Romance at Heart Interview and Author Grilling session. *bg* We are interested to find out as much about you as we possibly can, so lets get started...

- Please tell us about your latest book.

My most recent release is StarMyst 1: Prodigal Son, a paranormal romance. This novel was conceived during the early months of 2004 when my own father was dying of esophageal cancer. I had the concept for the characters and what I wanted to happen – just not what would bring them together. So, it seemed a natural to have the characters go through what I had just experienced.

The characters are sorcerers and a member of a conclave called StarMyst. They’re all orphans, and their foster father, Edwin, is dying of cancer. When our hero, Te comes home to take his rightful place as Edwin’s heir, he has to deal with not only his feelings for Jacy, which haven’t changed in the ten years he’s been away, but also his foster brother who has taken over in his absence.

- What can we expect from you in the future?

Hopefully a lot. I have several projects upcoming with Venus Press including a werewolf anthology and a “bad girls” book scheduled for next year. In addition, I’m currently working on the sequel to Ghost Touch, as well as more books in my Galaxy Rogues series. Of course, there will be more StarMyst books forthcoming as well.

- How do we find out about you and your books?

My website is Mary Winter.Com, and my newsletter is at Mary's Yahoo Newsletter

- How may readers contact you?

I have a chat list, and I love to talk to readers. It can be reached at Mary's Yahoo Chat . There is also a contact form on my website, as well.

- How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

I frequently use my personality and life experiences. You’ll notice horses are in quite a few of my books. Well that’s because I was horse crazy when I was younger, and I guess that hasn’t changed. I tend to use any and all life experiences in my books. I find it helps me to write believable heroines, plus when an author thinks up a story, I believe his or her mind naturally runs along the lines of what is already known.

- When did you first think about writing and what prompted you to submit your first ms?

I brought home a huge stack of romance novels home from the small town library when I was in junior high. I read them, and realized that I could do the same, and wouldn’t it be cool to write books for a living? I finished my first manuscript shortly after high school and submitted it then. I received a very nice personalized rejection letter from Silhouette, which I think gave me the feeling that I could do this.

- Do you have a set schedule for writing or do you just go with the flow?

I have a set schedule. I try to write each evening after work, and since I usually have several projects going at once, I have daily goals and personal deadlines.

- What do you do to relax and recharge your batteries?

I read. I love to read, and since my day job can be stressful, I like to spend each evening after supper reading (we eat very late, so this sounds like more time than it really is). It helps me unwind before going to sleep.

- What are your thoughts on love scenes in romance novels, do you find them difficult to write?

A love scene has to happen naturally because of the characters, their experience, and their situations. I don’t find them difficult to write at all, but again, because they’re usually character driven rather than a need to have a love scene every so many words or pages.

- Would you like to write a different genre than you do now, or sub-genre?

I’d like to also write straight science fiction and fantasy. I guess that’s why most of my work is paranormal, because then I get to combine my two favorite genres.

- If you weren't writing, what would you be doing?

I’d probably be working as a vet or zoologist. I love animals. I live about half an hour from Ames, where Iowa State University is located. I think if I had an unlimited amount of money (and time), I’d be pursuing a veterinary degree. I have half a degree in Equine Science, but then I figured out that at $5 an hour, I was probably one of the highest paid stable hands in America (back in the mid 90’s), so alas, I didn’t finish my degree, though I’d like to someday.

- Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Keep trying. Don’t give up. And keep learning. It’s amazing how you grow as a writer. I look back on what I did five years ago or longer, and it’s like it was written by a different person. And write every day. Tell your family, tell your friends. You have to have writing time.

Thank you very much, Mary, for taking the time with us and answering our questions. I really appreciate this interruption to your busy schedule. Good Luck, and we will be looking forward to the other August, September, and October creations from your talented imagination at Venus Press!

Yours in good reading,
Rose!

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