Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Boomer gal who has had the great fortune of touring the world with my own theatrical production. And raised a family in the process. Quite a ride! Writing was always part of my profession, but I didn’t get serious about becoming an author until a few years ago. I’ve published one book and am working on the second in that series.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“Confessions of an Instinctively Mutinous Baby Boomer and her Parable of the Tomato Plant” – how’s that for a title?
Several years ago I found myself about as lost as I had ever been. The recession had hit us hard, like so many other people, and I was feeling pretty beat-up by life. I came across hand-written pages of an experience I had with a tomato plant (of all things!) tucked away in a drawer. Something I had written a few years before that. When I read it, I cried, smiled at the silliness of life and felt more hopeful. Embedded in it was an old lesson learned that I had forgotten, but at least I had written it down! It was a “parable” of sorts and I realized I had a story to tell that others could relate to. Turns out, I was right!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Interesting question. Not sure how unusual this is, but I found a place to go when I get stumped by how to deal with a scene or a chapter. It’s on top of a mountain in a little park that hardly anyone knows about. There’s a covered picnic table that’s a perfect place to think and write. And it’s quiet. I bring a legal pad and pen and a bottle of water. I stare off into the distance from that beautiful spot and before I know it, the answer has come to me and I’m writing away. When I’m done, I go back home to my desk and put it all in the computer.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
On the fiction side of things, I was very influenced by Mary Stewart’s Merlin series, particularly “The Crystal Cave.” She has a way of making a scene or a location, everyday items, seem so magical. I believe that life IS magical and her writing brought those feelings to the forefront for me many years ago.
For a sense of how to tell an extremely personal story, there’s nothing that can beat “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I’ve probably read it a dozen times.
On the nonfiction side of things, I keep a copy of “A Course In Miracles” plus several books by Deepak Chopra and Dr. Wayne Dyer close at hand for when I need an encouraging word. Again, the focus of these books is the grand mystical nature of life, which is right up my alley!
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book in my Mutinous Boomer series. I’ve had such terrific response to the blogs and posts I’ve done about the dogs I’ve loved over the years (and all of the things I’ve learned from them) that I’ve decided to feature many of these stories in my next book. You know, something like Puppy Parables and Dog Tales – or should it be Tails?
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think it takes a combination of a lot of things. First off, the indie-publishing world is changing so rapidly that an individual author couldn’t possibly keep up with it. I belong to several dynamic author groups that share information and help each other by pooling resources. For instance, when one of us has a book promotion, we all share it on Facebook, blog hops, re-tweet, etc. to get the word out. And that’s just the beginning. It’s something I work at every day.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
From a writing standpoint, I can only speak to others who want to write a memoir because it is a unique genre and has very different challenges. First, ask yourself two questions: who is my audience? And why would they want to read about my life?
I spent years as a theatrical producer and fifteen of those years I was entertaining America’s troops here in the states and overseas with our show “Letters From The Front.” During that time I became very adept at reading the audience. I could tell when we had them and when we lost them. Because of that experience I was keenly aware of my audience as I was writing. I never forgot about the people that would be reading my book.
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to never forget your audience. Writing a memoir isn’t like writing in your diary, it’s a book, meant to be sold to readers. Give them a good reason to want to read it – write it for them, not just yourself.
But AFTER you’re finished writing, it’s the same for all new authors. Don’t underestimate the time and effort it will take to market your book. Even if you have a publisher, you are expected to make the same effort to sell your book as us indie-published authors. It’s a business, with lots of competition. Don’t get discouraged. If you’ve got a good book, be determined to hang in there for the long haul to find your readers. It can be done and is being done every day by authors just like you. Trust me on this!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write what you know. And keep it real. The reader will know if you aren’t being honest.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading “Good Like This” by Peter Arpesella. I won an autographed copy in a Goodreads giveaway and I’m glad I did! It’s a very compelling read.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Besides the next Mutinous Boomer book, I have several children’s books in the works. I’ve teamed up with a terrific illustrator and we hope to have the first one out by the end of the summer.
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?
“A Course In Miracles”
“Atlas Shrugged”
“The Crystal Cave”
“Unthinkable Consequences”
Author Websites and Profiles
Marsha Roberts Website
Marsha Roberts Amazon Profile
Marsha Roberts Author Profile on Smashwords
Marsha Roberts’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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