18Q Maryann Miller

Maryann Miller

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?

It definitely chose me. I loved to read as a child and decided when I was about twelve that I wanted to write books that some other girl might want to read fifty years from now.

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)

I have some college with a focus on sociology and psychology, which is so helpful in developing characters. I also took Clinical Pastoral Education to be a hospital chaplain. Focusing on writing, I have taken many continuing education classes in all forms of fiction, including screenplays.

3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?

When I got my first professional gig. The editor of the local newspaper called to say they wanted to print my humor column and were actually going to pay me.

4. How would you describe your style of writing?

Eclectic

5. What is your writing process?

I write. I sit down at the computer every day and put words on the screen. Not sure what else the question is asking.

6. What was your path to publication?

For years I submitted short stories to national publications with no luck. Then I decided to try the humor column when my children were young and our house was like Comedy Central sometimes. That proved very successful, and I went on to do feature articles for the newspaper and then for magazines. That led to staff positions and eventually the first non fiction book for a New York publisher.

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?

When I did a mini signing tour, I took bookmarks to the lobbies of the motels I stayed in and asked the clerks to pass them out to other guests. Most were so excited that an author was staying there.

8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

That people still think it is glamorous.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity?

I inspire myself by reading great books like All the Pretty Horses or getting lost in a wonderful movie.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?

One of the proudest moments was when I had a group of teens come over to discuss their experience with school violence for my Coping With Weapons and Violence book, and one girl told me she had used my Coping With Destructive Cults for research the year before.

11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

Never say no to an opportunity. Former press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson, Liz Carpenter told me that when I hosted her for a writer’s conference.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?

Clutching during a talk to a librarian’s association regional meeting. I absolutely forgot what I had planned to say and couldn’t find my way out of the painful silence. I usually do fine with a few notes and ad-libbing, but it didn’t work that time.

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?

Taking care of the business side of it is always a challenge. Most of us would much rather just be writing and let someone else to the letters and records and everything else associated with a small business.

14. What is your writer life philosophy?

Write from your heart and love the people you are writing about.

15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?

Most recently, I enjoy playing “farmer” here on my acreage in East Texas. I also love movies, music, and crossword puzzles.

16. Who do you like to read?

Everything. I read commercial fiction, mostly mystery, because I enjoy the quick read, but I also love to get into a more literary book just to savor the use of words and the attention to craft that sometimes is missing in commercial fiction.

17. What’s your advice for new writers?

Write, write, write. Then find a good critique partner who will tell you the whole truth about your work and listen to them.

18. What are you currently working on?

My main focus in on an online community magazine, www.winnsborotoday.com, although I take time now and then to work on a mystery series.

Maryann’s 18Q