About Mary Feliz:
Mary Feliz writes the Maggie McDonald Mysteries featuring a Silicon Valley professional organizer and her sidekick golden retriever. She's worked for Fortune 500 firms and mom and pop enterprises, competed in whale boat races and done synchronized swimming. She attends organizing conferences in her character's stead, but Maggie's skills leave her in the dust. Address to Die For, the first book in the series, was named a Best Book of 2017 by Kirkus Reviews. All of her books have spent time on the Amazon best seller list.
What inspires you to write?
The California that is often portrayed on TV and in movies is nothing like the real California. I like to share a more authentic portrait with readers.
Tell us about your writing process.
I'm definitely an outliner, and I start with character sketches. When I had a big office, I made poster-size collages for each character. Now, living in a tiny condo, I limit myself to a one-page description. I've heard other authors say that outlining limits or constrains them, but I think that once I have the story structure down, the outline frees me to think more creatively because I know the outline will make sure I don't forget anything essential to the story. And the outline will often change as the story develops. I almost always revamp it mid-manuscript.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Always. That's why I create character sketches first. The more I know them, the more they help me with the story, telling me where it needs to go next.
What advice would you give other writers?
Some would be writers are discouraged by the tiny numbers of authors who are ever published. But why can't it be you among that number? It takes time. Maybe even 10 years. But if you stick with it, hone your craft, and learn the business, chances are you WILL be published. Never give up on your dreams.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I very much wanted to know if I was good enough to nab a traditional publishing contract with a New York Publisher. I also didn't want to learn the whole business — learning how to write was enough for me. I think defining my ideal parameters from the beginning helped me do what I needed to do to achieve my goal.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I think there will always be readers and story tellers. Beyond that, it's a blank page. But movies didn't replace stage plays, and paperbacks didn't replace hardcovers, so I doubt ebooks will replace traditional books. But what will the next innovation be? I have no idea!
What do you use?: Professional Editor, Professional Cover Designer
What genres do you write?: Cozy Mysteries
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print, Audiobook
Website(s)
Mary Feliz Home Page Link
Link To Mary Feliz Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on Barnes & Noble
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
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