Interview With Author Marie Matthew
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Marie Matthew is a recovering zombie apocalypse author with over thirty published titles. One day, she grew weary of watching characters get eaten alive and decided she wanted to write happily ever afters. Now, she pens contemporary rom-com novels she hopes will make readers laugh, swoon, and shed a few feel-good tears.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest project is a contemporary romance rom-com series called Wine and Romance. What I really love is being able to tap into my 18 years of experience in the California wine industry. I love to weave in stories that cover everything from wine production, to label design, to grape growing. I have a personal interest in organic farming. The first book in the series (The Bad Girl List) features a grape grower who uses biodynamic farming. It was really fun to research this topic and use it in the story.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Quite a few, actually! When I’m deep in a story, I rarely read other fiction books. I find they interfere with the connection to my own story. I prefer to listen and read non-fiction when I’m writing. I also use a lot of different essential oils in my diffuser when I write, which I find very supportive to my creativity. And no matter where I’m writing, you’ll probably see some sort of rock or crystal nearby.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read quite a bit of non-fiction for pleasure. A few favorites are Born to Run, Beneath the Scarlet Sky, and Natural Born Heroes.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second novel in the Wine and Romance series, The Good Guy List:
To escape the blues of watching her best friend walk down the aisle, Annika Chen has the perfect remedy: a sexy one-night stand with her friend, Thomas Moretti. When unexpected passion of their fling leaves both wanting more, Thomas agrees to meet the criteria of Annika’s Good Guy List – which includes a no sex rule for the first 8 dates.
A sexy one-night stand with friend Thomas Moretti is just what Annika Chen needs to escape the blues of watching her best friend walk down the aisle. When the passionate fling leaves them both wanting more, Thomas agrees to meet the criteria of Annika’s Good Guy List – which includes a no sex rule for the first 8 dates
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I enjoy using YouTube to promote my books. I give away the audiobooks to find new readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Find a consistent writing strategy you can maintain. Don’t pay attention to those people who crank out 10,000 words a day. If 500 words a day allows you to show up consistently, embrace that and ignore what everyone else is doing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t make your own book cover unless you are a #legit designer with appropriate software.
What are you reading now?
Sea of Storms by Lindsey Pogue, a dystopian historical romance.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I have a few more books planned for the Wine & Romance series.
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?
Anything by Lindsey Pogue, A.M. Geever, or Suzanne Wright.
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