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Molly Greene Interview 2/16/2013 9:29:27 PM
Author Molly Greene discusses her novel and the writing life! LTS: Today on All Kinds of Writing, I’d like to introduce you to an author dabbling in both fiction and non-fiction, and doing so with success! Meet Molly Greene, author of the novel Mark of the Loon. I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Molly. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
MG: Thank you so much, Lorna! I blog for two clients and my own website, so when I’m not writing fiction, I’m either reading fiction or thinking about blog topics and articles. It gets a little overwhelming, so I go out for a walk every day and try to hike in the country at least once a week. Of course, even then I’m thinking about plots or what to blog about. It really doesn’t end.
LTS: I know exactly what you mean! Now, I know you’ve been heavily involved in the world of marketing for the past two decades. When did writing stories come into your life and was becoming a published author a lifelong dream?
MG: Like most writers, I was a huge reader as a kid, but surprise! I didn’t even consider writing down a story of my own until I was an adult. My first attempt was very bad, but very cathartic. It took me ten years to try again, and the result was Loon. So for me, being a published author is a late-bloomer’s dream!
LTS: Your debut novel Mark of the Loon has been receiving great reviews. What was the inspiration behind this story and can you tell us a little bit about your protagonist, Madison Boone?
MG: Madison Boone is a worker bee who takes on project after project as a way to avoid dealing with her emotions. The only people she’s allowed into her inner world are her three wise friends. Loon is a story about coping, dealing with loss, the power of deep friendships, and ultimately, how some people find the way to overcome tragedy and become the person they want to be. The core of the plot is the process of “becoming,” a subject that’s been close to my heart for many years; the reasons why some of us can while some remain stuck in circumstances.
LTS: Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open Mark of the Loon?
MG: Readers will find themselves immersed in the transformation of a gorgeous property by a smart, independent woman who has hobbled her emotions yet surrounded herself with great, funny, wonderful friends. The characters are drawn into suspenseful situation that involves the house and its previous owners, and they uncover clues during the renovation that reveals the truth. Madison’s heart is rehabbed along with the house!
LTS: The road to publication is difficult at the best of times. What made you decide to take the indie route and self-publish your novel?
MG: In reality, both roads are challenging; in some cases, traditional publishing can be slow and filled with rejection and a certain relinquishing of control. Self-publishing sounds easy, yet the path is filled with an enormous amount of processes to learn. Authors can only decide which path suits them best. I have no patience and I love to do things myself – It’s a control issue. Because of that, I’m not really cut out for the agent-querying process but perfect for self-publishing.
LTS: What is the best and worst part of being self-published?
MG: The best part is definitely the deep sense of satisfaction that accompanies making a decision to do something, then mastering the tasks you need to learn to make it happen. I look at my blog and my books and I’m thrilled with the education I’ve gained and the sheer accomplishment of having done it!
LTS: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
MG: Don’t give up, and don’t stop learning, growing, educating yourself, and reaching out to others. And never, ever think you know it all.
LTS: On the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
MG: With fiction, I’m a pantser every step of the way. If I needed to know how the story ends before I begin, I’d probably never start writing. I depend on my characters to tell me who they are and where they want to go. But the opposite is true with non-fiction: I want to gather all the information upfront and outline every element that needs to be addressed for the book or article to make sense.
LTS: Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
MG: I use my daily walks to think out the story line, literally one step at a time. I’m not able to write fiction every day, but I do have time to think about the plot and let the characters “tell” me what’s going to happen next. Once I have a really good idea where the next chapter or set of events is going, I sit down and type it all out. Talk about watching those fingers fly!
LTS: At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
MG: I only get writers block in my day job! Because of the process I use to write fiction, I never sit down to move the story forward until I’m bursting to write a chapter or two. I find this method really works for me; it builds momentum and makes me feel very productive. Writer’s block isn’t an issue.
LTS: Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
MG: Janet Evanovich’s “Stephanie Plum” series is a favorite. I love Janet’s humor and the way she moves her stories forward so quickly – her characters are literally in the car and across town and in trouble within a paragraph or two. Susanna Kearsley is another fabulous find – her novel “The Winter Sea” presents two heart-wrenching love affairs at once, and she intertwines the stories in the most gorgeous way. I love both writing styles, and if I could have a thimble full of each of their abilities I would be ecstatic.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years? Can your fans expect a sequel to Mark of the Loon some time soon?
MG: Next week I’m launching a blogging book for authors called Blog It! The author’s guide to building a successful online brand. Later this year I hope to publish a book of essays. In 2014 I’ll release Rapunzel, the second book in my fiction series. There’s always something going on!
LTS: Thank you so much for taking the time to share in your works and your writing experiences, Molly! Catch you on Twitter!
Molly Greene is an author, blogger, and blogging coach with a preference for reading, writing, and rural life. Her nonfiction titles include Blog It! The author’s guide to building a successful online brand, and the self-awareness guide, Someone Worth Becoming (July 2013). Molly is working on a second novel, Rapunzel; her fiction debut, Mark of the Loon, is available at major online retailers. Meanwhile, she blogs about her crazy, ever-changing world and self-publishing topics at Molly-Greene.com. Need more ways to get in touch? Follow and Friend Molly on Twitter • Goodreads • Facebook • Google+
