Interview With Author Marilee Grace
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am the founder and lead Life Transformation Coach at RightSwipeGirl. Prior to writing “Right Swipe! A Quest for Love,” I have had articles published in magazines and have been a part of a collaborative devotional by Kansas City area writers. “Right Swipe! A Quest for Love” is my first book.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I got the inspiration for “Right Swipe! A Quest for Love” after spending a little time on the dating apps. I was newly divorced and curious. After several crazy encounters, I kept telling my friends that I could truly write a book about all the craziness. After continuously saying this, I finally decided that I would, indeed, write the book. I spent 15 months on the apps, engaged with over 200 men, and collected mountains of data. I share all the stuff: funny, serious, weird, kinky, curious, innocent, sometimes explicit. All the stuff. At the end I share about how I found my truest love. I write candidly and with transparency about my experiences. You will laugh, cry, say “huh” and “ewww” and cheer me on throughout!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have wanted to be a writer (and a Rockette) since I was little. At one point, I envisioned myself writing on a typewriter while sipping red wine. Very glamourous and clique. And the furthest from my truth. If I drink red wine while writing, I have to do major edits, because, well, red wine! So I write and drink coffee, water, and flavored sparkling water. I haven’t had a typewriter for years! The blue light from my laptop plays tricks on my eyes so if I’m writing for very long, I have to wear glare reducing glasses under my prescription glasses and have my screen turned a little bit dim. I’m a sight to behold for sure! It works for me, but it isn’t anything near the romantic picture I always had in my mind!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My friend J. Sterling, is a best selling baseball romance and romance writer. She encouraged me to “write your f’ing book!” I finally did it!
I really love Colleen Hoover. I love to listen to her books while I’m driving and doing boring work around the house.
I read a lot of inspirational and self-improvement books. I’m currently reading “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a 4 week course on Self-Love that I will teach online and around the Kansas City area.
My grandmother was a great storyteller and used to tell me stories at bedtime when I spent the night at her house. I am writing my favorite bedtime story into a children’s book. It will be illustrated. I want my grandchildren to know that bedtime story and I want to make it available to all children. It is a special labor of love.
I am also working on a book about learning how to love yourself. It will have a companion workbook. It will give readers details about how I discovered self-love and how I continue to work on being my truest love.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I have an amazing community of coaching friends that are my biggest cheerleaders. We love to watch each other pursue dreams and reach goals. They have rallied around my book and have shared it within their communities and friends. I’m thankful for them and they continue to cheer for me and inspire me to be my best.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stop saying you will write the book “someday.” Get into a group that cheers for you, encourages you, and holds you accountable. It doesn’t matter whether it is in person or online. What matters is that you click with the group and you want to be with them. Make it a priority in your planner. And write. Some days you will write amazing stuff. Sometimes you will write things that will be a different project for another day. And sometimes you will write stuff that you don’t like and think will never be anything of substance. And all of that is okay. YOU wrote something! That is important!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Truly, my friend J. Sterling telling me “write the f’ing book” played in my head nearly daily. That was truly the best advice I ever heard. I was so excited when I was able to email her to tell her “I wrote the f’ing book and it is on Amazon!!!”
What are you reading now?
I’m reading “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I really vibe with her!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m working on writing my favorite bedtime story that my grandmother told me when I was little. I’m also working on a book on Self-Love with a companion workbook. I hope that it will help others, who like me, need guidance on how to love themselves better.
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?
Oh lordy, that is a tough one. I think I would want “Verity” by Colleen Hoover because I listened to it and I need to read it several times. There are so many twists in it. That could occupy some time. I also love the Hunger Games trilogy, so I count that as one book and would bring it. I love Brene Brown, so I’d grab Braving the Wilderness, which would be appropriate being on a desert island!
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