Welcome, Mary Ann. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
There’s wisdom in the advice “Write what you know.” For Mandy’s
Song I needed to remember high school so that I’d get her point of view
right. For example, her character flaw is lack of confidence, so I borrowed
from my experience as an overweight junior high kid for Mandy’s back story.
Also, concerning the prophetic dreams, I adapted one I actually experienced for
the story. When I was a teen I dreamed that my dad backed the car over our sheltie,
Lady. That day I heard him start the car and screamed for him to stop. I hurried
over, and Lady was sleeping right behind the car. In the book I used this incident
to emphasize the conflict between Mandy’s dad’s concrete, facts-only view of
the world, with Mandy’s broader spiritual insight. My own dad was just glad he
didn’t back over Lady! Somewhere I read that another author answered the
question of how much his main character was like him by saying all the
characters were part of him. I believe that’s true. With the various characters
authors are expressing various parts of ourselves, like actors express
different aspects with different roles.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
There are many quirks to choose from, but probably the top
one is buying a toy dung beetle and hiding it in various props during a civic
theater musical’s dress rehearsal. I still laugh remembering the lead’s face
when she opened a box, saw it, and jumped back. (Apologies to our poor stressed-out
director.) (And I was in my 40’s, not a teenager at the time….)
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
In 4th grade a poem I’d written made it into the school
literary publication The Edison Eagle.
That gave me the confidence to tell my teacher that I wanted to be a writer
when I grew up.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
My favorites are cozy mysteries with interesting settings—British
Isles, Venice , the Appalachians, Canada , Minnesota ,
etc. I like both historical and contemporary. As a former children’s librarian,
I enjoy the full range of children’s books, from picture books through young
adult. My book club has nudged me into discovering biographies and thoughtful non-mystery
fiction. I like inspirational and devotional books that help with spiritual growth.
Humorous books are a fun change of pace.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
Our pets help me slow down once I’m home: nothing like a
purring cat on your lap, or a snuggly guinea pig to quiet blood pressure. Walking
the dog is a peaceful time to enjoy nature and fresh air. Putting on music CDs
makes tasks like cleaning and dish washing more fun. Swimming laps when
possible is very rhythmic and peaceful, and is a good chance to ponder my life—or
not. When I don’t have to be somewhere early in the morning, journaling is a
big help, whether it’s uncovering profound insights or just jotting a to-do
list. Remembering to turn worry into prayer eases much tension. Singing in
choirs is a joy, and the songs often run through my mind—and maybe my voice—when
I’m driving somewhere.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Randomly. By feel. The name “Mandy” is undoubtedly a result
of my being a teenager in the 70’s and loving Barry Manilow’s song. Mandy’s
best friend, “Shelby,” has a warmth that reminds me of Southern gentleness and
caring, and of a cousin’s wife by that name.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
In personal life, raising two kind daughters who are loving
and helpful to those around them. Professionally, one for each career: as a
librarian, directing a Ghost Story Writing Contest for 14 years, encouraging
many young writers to recognize their talents; as a preschool teacher, being
patient and interested enough to get some students who feared speaking to
finally talk; and as a writer, sticking with revising and submitting Mandy’s
Song many years until it found a publishing home and reached readers.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A deer, because I enjoy being in the woods, quiet but
curious. They have a mysterious, other-worldly quality that J.K. Rowling
expressed in the Harry Potter books.
What is your favorite
food?
Chocolate, in many forms. From Nutella to choco-mint
anything, from candy to mousse to cake.
I love chocolate,
too. Dark chocolate. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest
roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
For me it was overcoming procrastination and discouragement.
If I have a specific deadline for an editor, I can work hour after hour into
the night to get it done, letting other tasks slide. But for many, many years I
didn’t have an editor waiting, and it was easy to let the writing be the work
that got put off. The things that helped were: attending writers’ and book conferences and finding writing friends.
Friends lifted me up out of rejection despair, and rejoiced with each little
victory. Critique group meetings gave me deadlines before I had an editor. Applying
for scholarships and fellowships brought needed encouragement when I won them:
thank you Highlights Foundation and Midwest Writers Workshop. Also, Julia
Cameron’s exercises in The Artist’s Way helped me in many ways. Whether it’s
grief, discouragement, fear or lack of self-confidence, obstacles have impeded
me from getting the writing done. I’ve learned to be gentle with myself after a
death in the family, for example. My inner artist is stunned for a while, and
doesn’t have the joy needed to create. I’ve learned to be gentle when needed,
but firm when needed, too. When I’m starting a project, it’s less threatening
to write by hand in a notebook, then switch to typing on the computer once the
ideas are flowing.
Interesting. Tell us
about the featured book.
Mandy has two hopes during her senior year of high school:
to develop her singing skill enough to win a lead in a musical and secure a
place in a college music school; and to nudge her friendship with Erik into
romance. Her self-doubt and Erik’s distrust of others cause difficulty moving
forward with this dream. From childhood Mandy has had other dreams: that come
true. She has to discern if her dreams are ordinary ones, symbolic ones—or prophetic.
When her nightmares about Erik’s well-being worsen, she must draw on her
courage, her faith, and her love for him, to help.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
It’s funny how life-changing events can start with something
so small. Something as insignificant as a doodle in the margin of a calculus notebook.
My stomach was already swirling at the thought of the after-school Cinderella
audition when I reached third-hour Calc. Erik had gotten there first and
sprawled at the desk behind mine, drawing in his spiral notebook. The dark
curls on his forehead and the unguarded look on his face combined to make my
insides churn like a blender switched to High. After a cleansing breath and
some mental coaching—Calm down, Mandy!—I made it to my desk. Erik folded his long
legs so I could get into my seat. ‚Today is it, right? The big audition?‛ He
did a pencil drum roll. ‚Riverwood’s very own high school musical.‛ Even with
my queasy stomach, I couldn’t help laughing. I twisted to face him. ‚Yeah, it’s
my dramatic moment. Will she or won’t she win a lead senior year? Tune in on
Tuesday.‛ My shoulders relaxed. He was so good at breaking up tension. One of
the many likeable things about him. His open notebook caught my attention. I
always enjoyed checking out the aliens or birds or trees he drew in the
margins.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website is http://www.maryannsteinke-moore.com
Facebook page is: Mary Ann Steinke-Moore Author
Instagram is: steinkemoore
Thank you, Mary Ann,
for sharing this book with my blog readers and me.
Readers, here’s a
link to the book.
Mandy's Song
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