March 26, 2007

GET A LOAD OF THIS!

I just had to share with you as soon as I received it. Below is my dynamite new cover for LONNIE HEATS UP.

How’s that for some fine Triskelion Publishing art work?

Have to sign off and go drool some more!
Sloane

March 23, 2007

Gazing into the Crystal Ball

ST: Good morning! We’re on our last day so please tell us what does the future hold for you, Mary Alice?

MAP: I’ve set up a plan for writing and ultimately, I want to write full time and do the occasional nursing to keep my feet wet. I enjoy nursing. It’s good fodder for the creativity, you know. But, I want to write and plan to be able to do it full time within four years, if not sooner.

ST: How did you and Triskelion Publishing come together?

MAP: A very good friend from my RWA Chapter, Melanie Atkins, writes for them and she encouraged me to submit to them. So, I pitched at last year’s Romantic Times Convention and they asked to read my manuscript. I’m totally excited to be with them!

ST: What’s in the works for the future?

MAP: Besides the Unfinished Business Trilogy, I have four other books started I will be finishing over the next six months and hope to have at least three of them accepted by the end of the year.

One is a contemporary single title and two are paranormal shape shifter manuscripts I can’t wait to get back into. I also have another romantic suspense in the works and a medical romance I’d like to get back to soon. Just watch my blog, and my website for more information on these and I’ll be having some short stories up after I get back from the Romantic Times Convention at the end of April.

ST: I can’t wait to read them. Thank you, May Alice, for spending so much time with us. It’s been a great week and I’ve enjoyed learning more about you. The very best to you in the future and keep us posted on your new releases.

MAP: Thanks so much for having me and I’ve had a great time.

ST: Thank you all for stopping by. I’ll be back next with and until then…

Happy Writing,
Sloane

March 22, 2007

The Soft Side of Mary Alice Pritchard

ST: Welcome back everyone. Shall we get cracking, Mary Alice?

MAP: I’m ready when you are.

ST: Please describe your writing space.

MAP: I have an office. I’m lucky for someone who works a day job to have it. There is a small building next to my house that was an office before and I have the front room of it as my own personal space. My desk is nearly always covered in papers and I have lime green and yellow cork boards I use to keep track of ideas and character traits leaning all over it. I have some, um, inspirational calendars to gaze at when I need to and I have my book cases overflowing around me.

The muses have a cat tree in the corner that keeps them busy and I have bird feeders outside the windows that provide me and them entertainment. Mostly, it’s cluttered and looks disorganized, but I know where everything is. Oh, and then there are my posters… they are huge cat posters.

ST: I love cats and sincerely miss my Smokey. Mar, what’s your favorite part of writing?

MAP: Starting the first chapter. I love finally getting to put down on paper what’s been ringing around my head for days and sometimes weeks waiting for me to have the time to get it out.

ST: What do you absolutely hate about being an author?

MAP: Waiting to find out if someone likes what I’ve written. If I didn’t have to work, besides write, it wouldn’t matter when I sent things out how long it took to hear back because I would always be writing. But, when you work outside of writing, it has taken so much to make the time to write that you feel like you need to know an answer soon so you can revise or change or re-work.

ST: Your website is gorgeous. I recommend everyone cruise over to check it out. How did you decide on the content and design?

MAP: Oh now that is so nice of you to say that! I’m a klutz with all that sort of thing and being a new writer, I can’t afford to hire it done yet so I had to work on it myself. That meant what I ended up with was what I could figure out how to do. I want something a little different eventually, but it’s fairly easy to navigate which is easier on readers so it works for me right now.

I have to give credit to a very good friend of mine and fellow author, Nita Wick for suffering through my many questions and naggings on setting it up. She was a patient teacher because I’m a nervous web site virgin.

ST: Our time is up, but I want to remind everyone to cruise over to Triskelion Publishing for a look at the new site. While you’re there click onto the New Releases page for an excerpt of SEE HOW THEY DIE.

See you all tomorrow and until then,

Happy Writing!
Sloane

March 21, 2007

Author, Author, Tell Us More

ST: Good morning, Mary Alice, good to have you back. Several people emailed me to reshow I think they want to drool over your awesome hunk.

ST: All set to start?

MAP: Ready, so fire away.

ST: Are there any quirks you have or do before you write?

MAP: I’m not sure if I could write without at least one muse on the back of my chair, the arm of my chair or behind my back between me and the chair. You’d have to see me to understand. There’s always one of them around. I usually listen to music while I write. Mostly classic rock and metal, but occasionally something lighter, depends on my mood I guess.

ST: Where do you get the ideas for your novels?

MAP: They just flow. I don’t know where they come from other than a few have been dreams and a few others, results of life. Mostly, I see or hear something that captures my attention and I start thinking ‘what if?’ or ‘how did that happen?’

ST: How do you research your books?

MAP: Naturally I use the Internet for general research, going to official sites. It’s really great to belong to RWA and the different special chapters because they attract experts for classes, loop chats and workshops. I take quite a few workshops on subjects like police procedures and what life might be like for a sheriff. I also like to read up on the subject, or when I can, I find someone with experience and talk to them. Nothing like talking to someone about a subject they know and feel strongly about. You get the best information.

ST: Who is your support group?

MAP: My family is my greatest support but also my state RWA Chapter has helped me tremendously with improving my writing skills and learning about the publishing world.

ST: Thank you again, Mary Alice, for being here and so open. See you tomorrow.

MAP: I’m having a good time and it’s painless!

ST: Please remember, if you have any questions feel free to post them. Mary Alice will be happy to answer. See you in the morning and until then…

Happy Writing!
Sloane

March 20, 2007

The Write Side of Life

ST: Hi Mary Alice and welcome back.

MAP: My pleasure. What’s on the docket for today?

ST: What made you decide to be a writer?

MAP: I don’t think I actually decided to be a writer. I’ve written poems and short stories for as long as I can remember. I decided to submit my first manuscript after attending a Romantic Times Book Lover’s Convention in St Louis, MO. It was inspiring and I figured what the heck? I’d try it.

ST: I for one am glad you did. How long have you been writing?

MAP: Well, like I said, as long as I can remember. I started out just creating stories in my head for company and then I’d write them down. When I couldn’t find enough to read at the local library, I’d write my own adventures. I could be anyone or anything I wanted to when I wrote the ending.

ST: Do you find writing to be fulfilling? And in what way?

MAP: Yes, it keeps me sane. I use it to get out my frustrations and put my fears on paper so I can conquer them. The promise that I might be able to capture someone’s attention long enough they forget their own problems is my greatest dream right now. If I can do that, I’ll know I’m on the right track.

ST: What’s a normal day like for you?

MAP: Oh, you had to ask. I force myself out of bed and go to my day job at 8 each morning and then come home between 5 and 6 each afternoon and write until I have to go to bed. That’s about it. Boring, but I’d rather write than most anything I can think of other than reading or playing with the muses. I have to do the normal routine stuff like SOME housework and tend to the zoo here. (I have five cats and two dogs) But writing is a passion and a joy for me so I make it my priority.

ST: With your busy life how do you find time to write?

MAP: I write after work from about 6:30 until 10 or 11 at night. Sometimes I get distracted and look up and it’s nearly 2 in the morning so I have a really bad day the next day. Then, on weekends, I write off and on all day between chores, errands and spending time with my muses and my folks. I go to my local RWA Chapter meetings in Jackson, Mississippi once a month and that’s my longest dry spell not to write since it’s a 3.5 hour drive one way to go. But, the drive down the Trace has other advantages that help clear out the cobwebs and fill my head with new thoughts.

ST: I don’t think we can keep you chained to that chair any longer this morning, but I hope you come back tomorrow and tell us more about yourself.

MAP: I’ll be here!

ST: Thanks to all of you for coming by today. If you have any questions for Mary Alice, please feel free to post them. She’ll check back throughout the day and answer. Be sure to check out her website.

Happy Writing!
Sloane