Name : Marilyn Vix
Age: Not telling.
Where are you from: Marilyn: Northern California
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc:
Marilyn: I’m a paranormal romance writer that spends her days writing about something she loves, romance. I love a good story with danger, intrigue, and good-looking men. When I can’t find what I want, I write it myself. I like to include settings that are real like Las Vegas, London, and Paris. I’ve travelled a lot, and like to include where I’ve visited as settings for my stories. I also participate at Renaissance Fairs around Northern California. When not writing, I spend time with my husband and cat. She, of course, is the center of attention.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
Marilyn: I just released my last ebook in my novelette series, Never Cross A Warlock. It is the final book in the Beware of Warlock series. Catherine decides which of the two warlocks she will be with. I tell you, it’s a hard decision. Her bad boy husband is still after her, and death would be the divorce settlement. Her boy toy Aussie warlock has captured her heart, but can she settle? I don’t want to tell you her decision, but let’s say that having it set in Las Vegas gave me an opportunity to have an Elvis impersonator as a character. You can find the new eBook at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, and Kobo.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
Marilyn: I actually wanted to be a cartoonist when I was a kid. I struggled with writing and didn’t get bit by the bug until 5th grade. I was assigned a writing project once a month, and I learned to love it. My teacher helped me learn to love writing.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Marilyn: I think back in 5th grade with those monthly writing assignments. But I officially felt like a writer with the publication of my first book, Never Marry A Warlock. That was the most awesome moment ever.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
Marilyn: I had a dream of a man in bed with a woman. I walked towards him, and knew that he was cheating on me. I threw a spell at him, and flung him through the window into the pool. He rose out of the pool and threw a counter spell at me. That’s when I woke up. I grabbed my laptop and a cup of coffee. By the time I’d finished the cup, I’d written the first scene of Never Marry A Warlock.
Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
Marilyn: I love writing in the first person. I feel it’s the edgy way to get into a character’s mind. It’s actually sometimes more difficult since you can only give to the reader what one character knows. But it’s a great way to drive the story.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
Marilyn: After I had the dream and wrote it down, I came up with the title pretty quickly. It’s from the first scene where Catherine realizes she shouldn’t have married her warlock husband. So, from her dialogue, I took the title.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Marilyn: I usual write and wait to see what theme develops. If I notice something, I’ll add clues to bring it out. I’m hoping that the main character’s traits and what the character does convey the theme. Nice thing about writing; people will get different messages from the same story.
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic?
Marilyn: Well, I wish there were real powers for witches. But I did take some things from Celtic and Wiccan lore. The Celtics used to renew their marriage vows once a year. I think you have to work harder on a marriage if the person could leave every year.
Some of the sex scenes are things I enjoy. But I’ve never picked up a hitchhiker. However, I made a lot of trips to Las Vegas to research the Beware of Warlocks series. That was the best research I’ve ever done.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Marilyn: Most of my writing is based on my experiences and life. I will make things up, a lot, to make the story work. But using some of my experiences gives the story it’s realistic appeal. So, a lot of what Catherine does, I’ve done.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? A mentor?
Marilyn: Anne Rice is my writing hero. I once read her biography. Her story inspired me to become more serious about my writing. It’s taken a long time, but I’ve finally gotten somewhere with it now.
Plus, I’d love to meet her in person. I got close when I was trying to find her house in New Orleans. I ran into her chauffer and he helped my friend and I find her house. It is the setting of her Mayfair Witches series. So, I wanted to see the house. I got to hear her voice on the intercom, but that was as close as I got.
Fiona: What book are you reading now?
Marilyn: I’m reading some erotica shorts, because I’d like to try writing them in the future. I’m reading a great series called “What He Wants” by Hannah Ford. It’s a bad boy accused of murder with a BDSM fetish. With Fifty Shades of Grey being so popular, erotic romances are really taking off. Some I’m researching how to write them.
Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Marilyn: I read a lot of Indie authors. Since I became one, I’m too tempted to read all of their books now. I just preordered Saving London by Taylor Dawn. I have to wait all the way until June to read it. It’s about a girl that is diagnosed with cancer, and decides to make a bucket list before she dies. She meets a guy that wants to help. Great idea for a book!
Fiona: What are your current projects?
Marilyn: I’ve been really working hard on a Sci-Fi/Time Travel Romance called “Everything For Love”. It’s about half way done. Basically, the main character Deidre is a time travel researcher. Her job is to study people and the art of the past. One benefit of her job is her time travel device runs off the one thing that can power it through time, human intimacy.
We join her in the late 1890s in Paris. Her current assignment is to study Henri Toulouse-Lautrec and the artists of Montmartre. Having wrapped up with that research, she jumps to London 1914. Problems arise as another agent joins to help her. I won’t give away much more yet. I’m still in the first draft process, so it could all change during revision.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Marilyn: I’d have to say my fans. They keep me going. It feels wonderful to see a fabulous review or read a comment when someone says they love my books.
Plus, I have some pretty fabulous beta readers that help whip my books into shape. They do it for the love of writing. My editor is my last support pillar. She encourages me to try new things, and takes on my new project ideas. She’s been supportive in all that I’ve been working on over the last 2 years.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Marilyn: I’m actually starting to veer that way. I’ve kept my day job, but have experienced some life changing health issues that is having me rethink my career. I have to take a year off working to help get my health back. So, I’m going to spend it writing and see what happens. Cross your fingers for me. I’m going to see what I can write in a year.
Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Marilyn: Nope. I like the way they came out. I do wish I could have written them faster. But I write almost like a journal. What is happening in my life often will make it into my books in some way. They warn you to be careful around a writer. You could be in one of their novels. It’s all-true.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Marilyn: Sometimes finding the plot is a bit difficult. I usually let the characters direct the flow of where I want things to go. I have to give myself quiet time and visualize what they would do to move forward in the story. When I’m really in the writing groove, sometimes they take over and surprise me.
Fiona: Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
Marilyn: YES! This is pivotal to a lot of my books. I like to pick settings I can visit and research to give it a more personal connection. I took a writing workshop with Donald Maass, author of “Writing the Breakout Novel”. He went over techniques on how to turn a setting into a character. One way is to give it the personal touch.
So, most of the settings in my books I’ve visited. I’ve been to Las Vegas 5 times now, and I’m going back in a few weeks. The new series I’m working on will start there, and then move to San Francisco.
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
Marilyn: My cover designer is fabulous. Her name is Melody Simmons. She’s working on the box set design for the Beware of Warlocks series too. I’m hoping she’ll help out with my next series too. Her website is: http://ebookindiecovers.com/ .
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Marilyn: Getting my butt in the chair and writing in a routine. With my day job, it was hard to get it done. I’d have to devote a lot of the weekdays to recovering from the day job, and mostly write on the weekend.
I did participate in National Novel Writing Month in November, and finished the rough draft then. So, having the word count goal to push me that month helped. I’ve been participating in CampNaNo to get more done on “Everything For Love”. I made my goal of 10k words. So, it helps to have motivational pushes when writing.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Marilyn: Thank you, thank you, thank you. Without you, I wouldn’t be living my dream of writing. You are dear in my heart because of this. Send the love. I love comments and feedback. I appreciate it always. I even take to heart all the suggestions as I’m writing. I want you to be happy. Keep the love coming!
Fiona: Is there one person pass or present you would meet and why?
Marilyn: I’d like to meet Taylor Swift. She reminds me a lot of my younger self, back in the day, minus the fact I wasn’t a pop star. She seems really down to earth and real. She’s an authentic pop star. Oh, and Lady Gaga too. I love the way she inspires others to be themselves.
Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone and why?
Marilyn: “Write or Death.” It’s what I used for my motto for NaNoWriMo in November. Then, I almost died in December from heart issues, pneumonia and septic shock. So, the fact that the writing won out is a personal vendetta. I determined to have my writing win over death from now on.
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies?
Marilyn: Yes. I participate in Renaissance Fairs and Scottish Ren. Fairs through out Northern California. I’m a wondering minstrel that plays the Gaelic Harp. Besides writing, it’s my other addiction.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
Marilyn: I’m horrible addicted to Game of Thrones right now. Plus, I love Mad Men. I’m an addict to CSI: Las Vegas, and love CSI: Cyber. My favorite drama right now is: The Goodwife. I could go on, but those are the most watched shows right now.
I’ll watch movies depending my interest. I loved The Great Gatsby remake, because I loved the book and Leonardo DiCaprio. The Hunger Games movies are fabulous, and I read all the Twilight books before the movies came out. So, I tend to like movies that have a book based on them. I’ll try to read the book before it comes out.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
Marilyn: Chocolate and wine are my writing choices, along with microwaved popcorn. I love the color red, black and burgundy. They are my power colors.
As far as music, I’m into 80s New Wave music. I often write to Duran Duran or Adam Ant. But I have a metal streak in me too. I like Poison, Scorpions, Ratt, and Motley Cru.
I also love the new pop music right now. I haven’t seen music this creative since the 80s. I listen to Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert, Bruno Mars, Iggy Azalea and Michael Franti. I include all of them in my current writing playlists.
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
Marilyn: Teach. I love sharing knowledge with others.
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
Marilyn: Yes. You can find all my projects, news, promos and discounts on my website/blog at: http://marilynvix.com .
I also have an account on Wattpad at: http://www.wattpad.com/user/MarilynVix . I’ve got an ongoing new adult romance with some short stories/oneshots.
Thanks for having me talk to you today. Take care, and stay fabulous. -Marilyn
Amazon Page http://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Vix/e/B00LZ1TTXM/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
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