She is an author that I probably would never have discovered without it, and an author that I have grown to love these past couple of years. She has several books in The Unbidden Magic series; a YA series about a spunky girl named Allie who discovers her magical talent after a tussle with a satellite dish (she lost). They are great reads, and absolutely appropriate for the young adults, but still fun to read for us older YA readers.
Marilee keeps herself busy; she publishes about a book every year and has a great book blog. As busy as she is though, I've found that she is great about responding to any questions or comments I might write to her on Facebook or twitter.
So great, in fact, that she agreed to do an interview with me so that you guys can get to know her a bit better.
What kind of jobs did you have before you started writing and when did you
realize you wanted a career change?
I was very young (19) when my husband and I married. Two baby boys quickly
followed. Several years later, we sold all our earthly possessions and moved to a
college town. Through a series of part-time jobs, scholarships, student loans and
juggling baby-sitting duties, we both obtained degrees with teaching certification. We
began teaching. Another baby boy came along. (Gee, how did that happen?) Later, my
husband went into school administration and I became a school counselor. However, I
always loved the world of books. Even though I had very little spare time, I was either
reading or writing. I even managed to sell some poetry. It wasn’t until my kids were
grown and gone that I had the time and energy to attempt a book. My first book was
published in 2008. Since then, I’ve had a book published every year.
What was the most influential book or author you’ve read? Tell us how it
affected or influenced you.
Just one book? You’ve got to be kidding! Here are some that linger in my memory.
Favorite memoirs: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Unbroken by Laura
Hillenbrand. For pure reading enjoyment: The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
and Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. YA series: Can’t beat The Hunger Games. When I
get stuck in my own writing and want to read beautiful, lyrical prose, I read any book
by James Lee Burke. As you can see, I’m a very eclectic reader.
What are you reading right now?
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey and Roadside Crosses by
Jeffrey Deaver.
Tell us something about yourself that people wouldn’t guess.
I taught physical education and coached a winning volleyball team for a number
of years. I play an ugly game of golf but enjoy hacking my way around the course. I
absolutely love to fish but always give them away because I don’t like eating them.
Out of all your books, is there a character that you relate the most with? Which
one is most like you?
Allie Emerson, my protagonist in the Unbidden Magic series has all the qualities I wish
I’d had when I was her age. She’s brave. (I wasn’t) She doesn’t let her circumstances
hold her back. (I did) I guess you could say Allie is my alter ego. The character I relate
to the most is Allegra Thome, in my adult romantic suspense, The Rock and Roll
characters in this book are thinly disguised versions of former colleagues and students
I encountered in my teaching career. However, here’s where Allegra and I differ. She’s
divorced and lives with her grandmother and aunt. On the weekends, the three of them
entertain at retirement homes, singing karaoke – hence the rock and roll. I had so
much fun writing Allegra’s story.
Did you always know you wanted to write YA?
No, I started out as a romance writer. When I was trying to sell The Rock and Roll
Queen of Bedlam, an editor at Kensington rejected the book but wrote me a personal
note. She said, “You have a natural voice for YA. Get busy and write one!” So, I did.
When did the idea for Moonstone and the Unbidden Magic series first come to
you?
A distant family member told me about her childhood. She lived with her dysfunctional
mother in a small travel trailer and was ridiculed because she bought her clothes at
yard sales and thrift shops. I thought if ever a girl could use a little magic in her life,
she did. Her story became the inspiration for Allie Emerson, with the addition a magic
moonstone, of course.
What are you working on now? Do you have a future book that isn’t part of the
Unbidden Magic series?
I’m currently writing book 5, Midnight Moon, the last in the series. When that’s done,
I have one more book to write for my publisher, Belle Books. It will be a stand-alone
book. I have two ideas in mind. One features a boy protagonist, but I’m also leaning
toward a steam punk time travel. Who knows? Maybe I’ll write them both.
What is the most difficult aspect of a career in writing? What are some of the
obstacles?
For me, the most difficult part is promotion. In today’s world, authors are expected to
market themselves. I have a website, a book blog, an author page on Facebook and I’m
on Twitter. I should do more but it’s about all I can manage and still find time to write.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest hurdle is getting published. Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure it was going
to happen for me. I had quite a collection of rejections from agents and editors and
decided to enter the first chapter of Moonstone in a contest. One of the judges was
Debra Dixon of Belle Books. Six months later, she emailed me and asked me to send her
Moonstone. Um, I hadn’t finished the book. She told me to finish it up and send it in. I
did and they gave me a six-book contract. Yes, I was lucky!
What advice do you have for writers?
Keep your butt in the chair and write. Learn your craft. Seek out constructive criticism.
Believe in yourself and never give up. If you persist, someone, somewhere, will love
what you write and then YOU will be holding a book with your name on it. Trust me,
aside from giving birth, it’s a life-changing accomplishment of epic proportions. Good
luck!
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