Getting Acquainted with author Grace Marshall

I am so pleased to introduce a "new to me" author, Grace Marshall. Perhaps she's new to you, as well. So sit back with your beverage of choice (mine's coffee!) and enjoy getting to know her.

 First, a little about Grace personally . . .

Grace Marshall is the author of the “Horse Haven” series as well as Person of Faith; she has also contributed several articles to newspapers. She enjoys hanging out with her dashing husband, J. Lindsey Marshall, their saucy cat, Amerigo Vespucci, and their playful Mastiff puppy, Mini. 

Grace loves all animals but especially horses. She has lived in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Tennessee, and currently resides in the Missouri hills. She believes in living life to the fullest and can’t wait to see where God will take her or have her write next! 

See more about Grace on her website http://www.wordsbytwo.com. 

Welcome, Grace. It's such a pleasure to have you here today. So, let's get started.

1.) Why do you write?

Mainly because I want to help people. I want to show or talk about morality in a world where reality can be dire, but God is in control. I want to make people laugh, love, cry, and hope.

2.) Where did inspiration for your latest book come from?

The story idea came from my own life. I grew up in Wisconsin and moved further south while I was in High School; I currently live in Missouri. I never lived on a ranch but did have horses for a few years, and have volunteered at horse ranches. I drew from those experiences and No Pizza Delivery? was born!

3.) Tell us about something crazy that you’ve done or would love to do?

I want to go sky diving so badly! I think it would be such a freeing feeling! Plus, I am scared of heights so I think the feeling of your heart in your throat as your adrenaline rushes through your veins and you fall freely would be a real rush. My husband says that I can’t go, but I’ll work on him, and maybe one day I’ll get him to do it with me. ;)

4.) Are you a plotter or a pantser?

It depends on how much coffee I’ve had and the work at hand. If I just have a general idea of what I want to accomplish I just start, sometimes I want to get something specific across and I create an entire outline, and sometimes an idea just strikes me and I sit down and see what comes out. I would say that when I write as a pantser I tend to have more fun.

5.) What would you say to offer a word of encouragement to an aspiring author?

Never give up! Study, read, write, learn, and repeat. Every really successful author I’ve researched was rejected many times before someone went with his/her story. Some were even rejected a thousand or more times before someone went with it. Keep trying, “no” is part of the growing process.

6.) Which authors have had the most impact on your writing?

Authors of the Bible, their timeless truths through God’s leading inspire me daily. Mark Twain was one of the reasons I decided I wanted to be an author because he showed me authors can make a difference in people’s minds.  C.S. Lewis and Alexander Dumas are also sources of inspiration and aspiration.

7.) What are you working on now? 

I’m currently working on the second book of the “Horse Haven” series, that book is titled Unexpected Allies and Recurring Warts. It includes a spunky kitten on a daring rescue, a neglected mare full of love, and boys that recur like warts, which make Ruth’s life far from boring. It is scheduled to release this September.

8.) What do you feel is the most challenging part of the process?

Marketing and promoting the book! I have been in sales in the past, but I’m somewhat introverted and never enjoyed it that much. Besides, I don’t like to brag on myself or my work, and prefer to let it speak for itself. I try to remind myself that that’s not what I’m doing, I’m just bringing information of my books and me to those who might be looking for it.

9.) Give us an insight into your main character. Why is he/she special?

The main character Ruth, has some personality quirks based off of one of my sisters. She always made everyone laugh with her honest and snarky comments so I modeled Ruth after that. Throughout the story I thought, ‘How would my sister react to this,’ and tried to incorporate that into the story. I hope it brings laughs to my readers as she has always brought laughs to me!

 

10.) Tell us about your featured book and why readers might enjoy it?

No Pizza Delivery? is the first book in my “Horse Haven” series. Ruth is a relatable character that faces life’s challenges, including manure, oversized saddles, and frustrating boys, with humor. She is a Christian teenager who moves from Wisconsin to Sainte Genevieve, Missouri with her family where her father wants to start a horse ranch, but Ruth finds she knows less about horses than she presumed. Ruth also discovers there is a different culture in southeast Missouri, and has to cope with living in the country as well as losing her friends. I believe readers will find a place to laugh and grow within the pages of the book.

Thanks you, Grace. TThis has been a fascinating visit. I'd be honored if you'd come back to Whispers in Purple when your next book comes out!

God Bless!