Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a self-published author from Tennessee. I have two children and have been in a relationship with my boyfriend since September 2013. I am also Founder and Lead Investigator of Seeking Answers Paranormal (SAP_TN). I got our team together after I realized that my family and I lived in our very own haunted house.
I have published nine books so far.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The First Case (Colt Investigations, #1) is my latest book. In all honesty the idea just popped in my head one day and I thought, “You know I could totally do this.”
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Even though I have a laptop with Word on it, I still prefer to write with a notebook and a mechanical pencil. I do a rough draft on paper, and then I type it all up on Word to edit and revise. I usually find myself adding more detail and more in depth scenes when I type that what I do just writing.
I also have Meniere’s Disease, so I have great difficulty typing at a desk or table. My normal working space is either on the end of the couch or sitting in the recliner with my laptop on a padded desk in my lap.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a huge fan of Heather Graham. I love her Krewe of Hunters and Bone Island Trilogy series’. She has been an influence on me in so many ways. Nicholas Sparks, Hans Holzer, and Ann Rule have also influenced me to believe in what I write.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two books at the moment. The first one is Book #2 of the Colt Investigations Series, and the second is a type of self-help book that focuses on being a Highly-Sensitive Person (HSP).
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I use my author account on Facebook and Twitter to do most of my promoting. I also am very dedicated to Goodreads as both an author and reader, so it helps me be able to relate to both sides of the fence there. I do giveaways on that site quite often. I also run promotions on Amazon from time to time.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write and don’t ever stop writing. Believe in yourself. You can do this. You can fulfill your dream. Whether you make $1 or $10,000 if you bring a smile to a reader’s face, you’ve accomplished something that some people only dream about. Enjoy it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was told by an online friend nearly six years ago that I had as much right to live my dream as anyone else does. He said those simple words, “I believe in you. Now go believe in yourself.” And from then on I was determined. No one’s criticism was going to stop me from the point forward.
What are you reading now?
Just as I can write more than one book at a time, I am also able to read multiple books at once. I’m currently reading four different books: The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker, The Making of Tornado Chasers by Ken Cole, Self Publishing Mastery by Justin Chua, and Haunted Hotels by Tom Ogden.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am toying with the idea of writing a nonfiction series about haunted locations in various states. I’ve also considered writing a book about living with Meniere’s Disease.
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?
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Ghosts by Hanz Holzer, In Quest of Ghosts by Hanz Holzer, and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Author Websites and Profiles
Marie Tayse Website
Marie Tayse Amazon Profile
Marie Tayse Author Profile on Smashwords
Marie Tayse’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account