Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and a dog who smiles at me every morning. (My husband smiles at me too.) I have been writing free nonfiction ebooks for over a year. Parable of the Cake is my debut novel.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The official title is Parable of the Cake: Remaining Faithful to God’s Word. This book was inspired by a vision that God gave me several years ago. In short, the vision was of a person who found a cake recipe among the possessions of a loved one who had passed away. The cake recipe had been handed down through several generations in her family. But the person who now held the recipe realized that none of the cakes in her family were true to the recipe. God used that vision to illustrate the importance of remaining faithful to scripture in order to have a true and right relationship with Him through His Son Yeshua.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For some reason, I write best after midnight. My sleep pattern is so off right now. When I find time to write during the day, I forget to turn on the lights and I find myself looking up and realizing the room is really dark.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My absolute favorite book is the Holy Bible. I read it every day and it is the most fascinating book ever. It’s full of every life situation and human condition. And every time I read it, I learn something new and see things that I didn’t see before. In general, I love a good book fiction book. I have read the entire Mama B series by Michelle Stimpson. But I am learning so much right now that I am finding true treasure in nonfiction books like The Tallit: Experiencing the Mysteries of the Prayer Shawl by Charles Kluge and You’re It: How to enjoy a SUCCESSFUL life through creative attitudes by Kay Slesinger Rich.
What are you working on now?
I have a couple of books in the work. One is A Christian’s Guide to Understanding Bible Feast Days. (That title is too long, so I am definitely going to change it.) And the other is A Fresh Approach to Reading the Bible. I think I tend to work on multiple projects at once. And I write blog posts for my site at BUILD Alliance.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I am new to this. But I am the Queen of Google (one of my official titles) so I am learning how to promote my work through book promotion sites. I am so excited to have discovered Awesome Gang. I am also posting on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As I was writing this novel, I wrote blog posts and promoted on Pinterest and through email marketing.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Cliché time: What’s the best way to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Write at least a little bit every day. Sometimes you might end up with a lot of gobbledygook and have to trash it, but the daily habit keeps you on track. And trust the process. There is a story inside of you with twists and turns that you can’t see ahead of time. But these twists and turns will take your story in the right direction if you don’t try to stay in control. Let go and enjoy the ride.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust God.
What are you reading now?
The Bible. The Kindle Publishing Bible: How To Sell More Kindle Ebooks on Amazon by Tom Corson-Knowles.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to write a book that’s full of happiness and joy. I know that sounds juvenile. But it’s a challenge sometimes to stay uplifted, so I want to offer a book that allows one to escape into a world where there is no negativity: no death, no diets, no mean people. I don’t think I am going to allow any story details about doing dirty laundry or having to pay bills to ruin my book. Who wants some joy and sweetness that won’t cause cavities or make you gain weight?
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Wait for it… The Bible. I would reread Francine Rivers Redeeming Love and the Mark of the Lion series. I loved the book about the tallit by Charles Kluge. And I just read The Hiding Place by Corrie Tin Boom, and oh my…
Author Websites and Profiles
Maria Bowie Website
Maria Bowie Amazon Profile
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