know it was bad, and what did you learn from it?
an extremely long, soap opera type ‘novel’ with a convoluted plot and exaggerated
characters. I wrote this in my late teens.
The worst of it was my constant commentary on the state of the weather—the
status of the sun or the shape of the clouds, etc, etc. I mentioned some aspect
of weather on every page. I didn’t realize I did this, until someone pointed it
out to me. I learned—and am still
learning—to tighten and even limit my descriptions of nature, even though I
love it. In another vein, I am learning to let my characters emerge and speak
for themselves—not force them to be a certain way.
professional?
because I loved to. Stories kept rolling around inside my head. I began my
career as a photographer, doing mainly editorial work. But I tried my hand at
writing articles to go with the pictures—and it worked! Although I still love visual stuff, art and
photography–the writing moved in and took over my life.
you like the best?
gravitate toward fantasy. As an example, my next novel is about kids who hide a
dragon in a basement and feed him cornflakes. He is peaceable and lovable, but
finds he must battle a dreadful foe.
writing real-life stories with an emphasis on character. I love focusing on young
people and children, maybe because there is a part of me that never grew up.
do you read the same genre or something different?
something. Problem is I wish I had time to read more. I don’t necessarily read the same genre I am writing about.
process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.
low-profile type person. So, it is hard for me to make pitches, to get out
there and say, ‘come buy my book…’
currently publishing who would it be and why?
to mind is southern author Ferrol Sams. He writes about what he knows and with such
grace. Approaching ninety, he continues to live in the same town where most of
his novels are set, maintain a happy, positive outlook, and keep a terrific
sense of humor. Also, might be fun to
experience the life of J.K. Rowlings for about a day!
Book Blurb: Ten-year-old Daniel Weston, son of a high-powered Atlanta attorney, expects
to be bored spending the summer with his aunt and hated cousin Sabrina in the
rustic mountain cottage belonging to his great-aunt Delilah. Instead, he finds
himself enmeshed in intrigue: why is Delilah in Ireland searching for a missing
granddaughter, and for what reason has the girl disappeared? Daniel also doesn’t
bargain for a blossoming friendship with feisty, adventure-loving local girl,
Kat McDougal.
Kat shows Daniel his great-aunt’s ‘twilight garden,’ a special place
flaunting pale, fragrant flowers and silvery foliage. The garden, which has been
allowed to grow wild, has a curious appeal. Things are “different” in the
garden, magical.
Against the backdrop of night meetings at the garden, Daniel and Kat try to
solve the mysteries involving the people that surround them. But Daniel,
grappling with the shock of his parents’ recent separation, starts to wonder
what he can count on and if he can believe anything about anybody.
Can these two children find their place in an adult world even as they
realize that they have no one but themselves to lean on?
Visit Molly online: www.mollydean.com.
Thanks so much, Jenn. It was an honor to be interviewed by you!
Thanks so much for participating Molly! Best of luck with the book, love the cover & excerpt!!