Interview With Author Mary Ellen Miller
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an accredited public relations professional. I just published my first book, “Fill the Dam Thing Up! Building Connections: Communicating Throughout the Lifecycle of Infrastructure Projects.” It is a book of communications tips with stories of a once-in-a-lifetime international project set in the heart of Appalachia.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
As I share on the title page, “Fill the Dam Thing Up!” was a phrase a local merchant used on tee-shirts and ball caps to describe our project which involved repairing a dam. The repair meant lowering water levels in a popular local lake. That phrase became a rallying cry of sorts with engineers and geologists.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wrote the book at 7 am daily and set a timer for 25 minutes. On the weekends I would write more…often setting a timer for 55 minutes. I went into my home office and closed the door to write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I use gray “call out” boxes at the end of each chapter to summarize. I got that idea from Dave Ramsey’s “The Complete Guide to Money.” I used “Start Writing Your book Today” by Morgan Gist MacDonald as a guide to write my book. I just read “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin. I highly recommend it to other writers as it helps us connect with our creative self.
What are you working on now?
Promoting my book! I am getting ready for both an invitation-only launch party and a public launch.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Public speaking! I started with Rotary Clubs and will be speaking at larger conferences in October.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persistence pays off. It’s a lot of hard work on the front end to write a book, but sharing your creative work with others is fun and rewarding on the back end!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I quote my dad, a very wise man, in the book – he told me “the only thing constant is change.”
What are you reading now?
“They Ask You Answer” by Marcus Sheridan.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am going to listen to people at my live events and pay attention to what they ask for next.
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?
The Bible, “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver, “The Practice: Shipping Creative Work” by Seth Godin, “Start Writing Your book Today” by Morgan Gist MacDonald.
Author Websites and Profiles
Mary Ellen Miller Amazon Profile
Mary Ellen Miller’s Social Media Links