Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Author Mary Ball Interview

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Author Mary L. Ball lives in North Carolina between the wondrous mountains and beautiful beaches. She writes about real-life problems, suspense or mystery blended with romance.
When Mary is not working on her latest story, she enjoys fishing, reading, and singing with her husband at church functions. Readers can connect with her on Face Book and Twitter

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 Hi, Mary, welcome to Whispers in Purple. So happy to have you drop in for a visit. Let’s chat a while.

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing for a long time, but began a career as an author in 2012.

Has your writing journey been as you envisioned it? If so, tell us a bit about it. If not, how is it different?
No. I enjoy plotting out the characters but I was naïve. I believed that I would write the books, without worrying about promoting. I soon learned that unless you’re on the best sellers list with the big boy publishers, you’re the one responsible for letting readers know about your books.

What sparks your creativity when feeling drained?
On days when I have to clear my mind and refresh, if it’s warm outside I sit on the patio and enjoy the flowers and the birds. That recharges my creative juices. In the winter, I enjoy sitting in front of the fireplace. No TV, just me and a cup of hot coco.

What have you learned recently about yourself, and how has it affected your writing?
I’m getting older and less intuitive to the younger crowd’s ways. I tend to write in a different generation, even if I’m writing YA, so I often seek my daughter’s advice on trends and lingo to make sure I’m generationally correct.

How much of yourself do you put into your books?
When I write about faith in the Lord, that ‘s all me.

Do you write in one place or switch off to different locations? Describe your favorite writing place.
I use my dedicated office space most of the time, because it’s quiet. My workstation is beside a big window where I feel the warmth from the sun and can look out at the trees. Occasionally, I’ll take my laptop to the living room and write while hubby watches TV. However, my most favorite spot is sitting on the front porch at my bistro table with the birds singing in the background.

Let’s pretend: An anonymous donor has gifted you with a 5-day stay at a place of your choice, and you can bring four other living (not family) people with you. Where would you go, who would you take with you, and why?
I’d go to Hawaii because I haven’t traveled there yet and love tropical weather. I really wouldn’t want to take anyone. LOL. Me and the tropics, I can feel the inspiration now.

Tell us something about your book.
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Title: Redemption in Big Fork Lake, Inspirational Fiction

Author: Mary L. Ball

Publisher: Prism Book Group

Release Date: November 2014

Book Overview: Can he be forgiven?
Only after Robert Turner hurts a woman does he realize how much of a hold alcohol has on his life.
For Robert, a chance meeting with an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor offers hope. A new devotion to the Lord and a relationship with Belle McBride gives him expectations for a better future.
His life appears to be on the right track, until he comes full circle with his past and faces the one mistake that haunts him daily. Can forgiveness free Robert? Or will heartache drive him to return to the life he once had?

Thanks for that. Intriguing.

Finally, where can readers find you?

Mary, thank you so much for being my guest today. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you.

13 comments:

  1. Peg, thanks for having me on your blog. I look forward to talking with everyone.

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  2. Your writing places sound lovely, and I too enjoy the sound of the birds chattering away. I'd love to win your book.

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  3. Hi Connie, I enjoy nature so much. My hubby laughs at me sometimes. I even like to look at the frogs. :)

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  4. The pleasure is all mine, Mary. Blessings

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  5. Hi, Connie, thanks for stopping by. I love being outdoors, too, every chance I get. It gets me away from the computer, and, because I have two dogs, THEY force me to take a much needed break from this thing called WRITING :D

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  6. I can picture you writing in all the places you mentioned, Mary, and having the time of your life SOLO in Hawaii!! I think writing about alcoholism is tough - way to go. But I don't need to be in the drawing, b/c I don't read e-books, thanks anyway.

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  7. Hi Gail, Redemption in Big Fork Lake is a spin off from my debut novel, Escape to Big Fork Lake.
    Robert was bad in Escape to Big Fork Lake and caused Samantha (the main character) a lot of problems before she fled.
    Many readers asked, "what happen to Rob?" That sparked me to write Robert's story.
    I don't mind telling you I spent many hours on the computer researching alcoholism.

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  8. I love ebooks...and your books all follow reality in life, which I enjoy.
    I can also picture you on one of the Hawaiian Islands, sipping a fruit
    drink and catching the sun's rays as your inspired to write another good
    book!

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  9. Ah, Gail, too bad you don't like ebooks. Oh, I love print books, I have no idea how many of them are on bookshelves in every room of the house as well as packed into boxes I haven't opened since I moved from Las Vegas to Wisconsin in November 2012. The sad thing is...I can no longer see well enough to read them And that breaks my heart. That's why my Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 has become my best friend, because I can change the font size to make reading a pleasure.

    Anyway, thanks so much for dropping in and leaaving a comment. Glad to have you visit.

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  10. Thanks Diane Dean White. I'd certainly enjoy that fruit drink and the beautiful palms swaying in a slight breeze.

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  11. Mary, it sounds like you have taken a deep dive into a difficult subject. I look forward to reading your book (and of course, I hope to win the free copy)!

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  12. Hi Linda, yes it was a difficult subject matter. I learned much about Alcoholism. One of the things that stuck out was the fact that there are several different types, someone we know could have the problem and still function well in society. The good thing is with God's strength a person can overcome. :)

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