My guest today is Mary L. Ball. Mary lives
in North
Carolina
Anne – Welcome to Piedmont Island Lake
Superior ! Let’s
get down to business, shall we? Tell us about your book.
Mary – It’s called Escape to Big Fork Lake. Here’s the blurb:
Will an inheritance bring new happiness or
a trap for murder? Bad luck seems to follow Sam Blacker. She loses her job and
faces daily struggles keeping her drunken neighbor away from her. When an
unexpected inheritance gives her a chance for a new beginning, Sam, a city girl
at heart, is hesitant. However, after a brutal attack she has no choice. Making
a decision that will forever change her life, she flees to the small fishing
town of Big
Fork Lake , Alabama
As Sam and Noah’s passion grows trouble
lurks in the shadows, waiting and watching. Inescapable, Sam’s bad luck returns
when she stumbles upon a murder and becomes the only suspect. Will she have to
run again, this time to stay out of prison? Worse, will she lose the best man
she’s ever found? And what about the newfound hunger in heart to know God—can
she truly trust in Him?
Anne - What do you enjoy most about
writing? What part do you loathe?
Mary - I enjoy creating the characters and
places. It’s fun to weave together personalities with their shortcomings, which
make them unique. I tend to stay away from using traits of people I know, only
on occasion will I add a similarity to someone. It’s more fun being fictional.
I dislike the fact that I develop such a strong attachment to a story. Once it
forms in my mind, the tale has to be told. I can’t begin a new adventure, not
until the personalities I have started finish on their journey. It’s aggravating,
like I owe it to them to complete their adventure. That’s just the way I
am.
Anne – I really like that line about you
owing your characters. What a great way to describe it! Any words of advice for
struggling, unpublished writers?
Mary - If you’re a writer, please don’t give up! Don’t let
negative responses discourage you. Take the criticism and use it to your
advantage. Rewrite and keep on submitting until someone takes a notice. That’s
the only way a writer will become an author.
Anne – So true. Persistence does pay off. Would
you share an excerpt of Escape to Big Fork Lake with us?
Mary – My pleasure!
Sam’s eyes popped open. She heaved a rapid breath.
A rough, sweaty hand rubbed her head. Hungry
fingers clumsily caressed her hair and brushed against her cheek.
The air filled with an odd stench and assaulted her
nose. Sam’s stomach churned. She swallowed back the nausea that stirred from
the pungent reek of liquor.
With a quick breath, she squelched the panic that
bolted through her like lightening and concentrated on the eerie shadow that
lurked above her head.
The light from a moonbeam shined across the room
and created a spotlight on the staggering silhouette. Immediately, she
recognized Rob.
She jerked her body up in an instant.
Quickly, her head hit the couch hard as her body
slammed down tight with the cushions. Rob lashed out and grabbed the front of
her blouse. The gold-colored shiny circles popped off as the cotton material
ripped.
Sam clawed his face, managing to pull away and
scramble to her feet.
She forged the strength from somewhere deep within
and gave him a quick shove. His body fell backward. Her heart leapt as she
raced toward the simmering glow coming from the nightlight in the hallway. Rob
dashed after her like a dog snapping at her heels.
As Sam approached her front door, her peripheral
vision glimpsed the statue made of metal perched on the shelf over her coat
rack. She knew the little figurine wouldn’t offer much defense because it was
small and hollow, but what other choice did she have?
Quickly, she snatched up the horse. She whacked
Rob, hitting him hard, then another time, until he staggered and fell.
Sam ran as fast as she could and left Rob lying on
the hallway floor. A moan escaped his lips as a trickle of blood oozed from his
head.
She scurried down the steps as remorse hit her. Of
all the stupid things she could’ve done! Why had she forgotten to lock her
door?
Sam dashed down the sidewalk. She was aware,
vaguely, of the passing city blocks.
The sting of the air in her eyes, on her cheeks,
slowly revealed the brutal chill. The February night embraced her entire body.
Her skin tingled as the wintry air swirled inside her torn garment.
Anne - Where can readers find you online?
Anne - You’re offering a giveaway e-copy of
your book Escape to Big Fork Lake to one lucky reader. What question would
you like them to address in a comment to be eligible for the draw?
Mary – My question is: Where does your
heart lie, city or country? Why?
Anne – Thank you, Mary. It’s been such fun
chatting with you. The winner of Escape to Big Fork Lake will be announced here on June 25. Good
luck!
Reader comments are always welcome and
appreciated. Become a follower to ensure you receive every author interview,
announcement and/or blog post on the Piedmont Island Trilogy. Until next time,
happy reading! J
* * *
10 comments:
'Escape to Big Fork Lake' sounds very exciting, Mary. I was quite gripped by the excerpt.
I found your comments about your characters' journeys needing to reach completion very interesting. I know some writers manage to work on several stories simultaneously, but, like you, I feel I need to give my full attention to one creation at a time. My characters clamour for too much attention in my brain to allow comfortable lodgings for those from different stories, with different journeys to undertake.
An interesting blog, Anne. Thank you.
Lyn
Great book! Loved it.
Always enjoy your Blog Anne because as usual you introduce me to good writers not on my list. Looks like another definite to read.
Where does your heart lie, city or country? Why? In answer to your question country is my favorite because of animals, generally slower pace with lots of friends who are happier with less hassles.
Great interview.
Characters have a way of coming alive for us readers also. Sometimes I hate to see the number of unread pages dwindling to almost nothing because that means soon I will have to say goodbye to people I've learned to love.
I'm definitely a city girl. Country's fine for a SHORT vacation. I'd much rather hear the sounds of traffic than the howl of a wolf or coyote in the night.
The sign of a true storyteller is if the story becomes vivid and compelling in the writer's mind. Mary's perspective about the process is enlightening. Bonnie McCune, author, "A Saint Comes Stumbling In"
Escape to Big Fork Lake is a "must read." Mary's descriptions about feelings and emotions are so detailed that You feel you are the
The actual character.
Where does my heart lie, City or country? It lies in the city. I grew up within walking distance of a small mountain town. Sometimes I stayed with my grandmother, who lived in an apartment building right on Main St. I loved the sound of the click of my heels on the street upon emerging from the Carolina theatre after watching the second showing of the Saturday doule feature movies. I was a movie star!
I know some may be a bit confused. One of the comments is actually from another Mary Ball. Yes, we have the same name. The world indeed, is smaller than we think. Thanks all for the comments.
Congratulations, Jake. You're the winner of Mary's giveaway draw. She will contact you shortly via email. Thanks again for dropping by. Have a super day, and as always, happy reading!
Congratulations Jake. Thanks Anne for having me on your blog. It's a great blog I will visit time and time again.
Blessings to all,
Mary L.Ball
Post a Comment