Thanks, Coffee Time Romance and more for hosting the eighth day of my blog tour. Anyone who would like to know the schedule can check it out here. http://www.marymartinez.com/news.html#events Each blog a different question from the host. Sort of like a continuing interview.  I will also have two giveaways at the end of the blog tour. At the bottom, I’ll tell you how you can participate.
Bonnie Brew from Coffee Time: As an author, do you think you see the world differently than other people?  If yes, in what way?  If no – then where do your ideas come from?
Mary: I’ve never had anyone ask me that before. I needed to step back and think, do I? I’m really not sure as I’ve never looked at the world through anyone else’s eyes. However, I suppose I do. I don’t purposely search situations for ideas, they sort of sprout when least expected.
But I do observe people, places and traditions. I’m interested in the history of a place I visit. I tend to take a lot of pictures wherever I travel. Not that I have ideas, but often when I’m looking over our trip from my photos, I’ll have a germ of an idea. Or I’ll watch people at the next table and something will come.
But I’m not one of those authors who make up stories about people they watch. I may observe things, but my ideas are usually triggered by something random. A song on the radio, or a classic movie, a article in a magazine or newspaper. I rarely drum up an idea by watching a couple and making up a story of why they are at the restaurant, are they having an anniversary, first date, etc.
So honestly I cannot tell you how or where I get my ideas. They find me.
Here is a blurb for my new release Classic Murder: Mr. Romance:Dubbed Mr. Romance by New York society for his romantic adventures, Adam Fernando Russo loves women. But lately he realizes how lonely it is coming home to an empty house. Can he settle for only one woman? After he makes a list of qualities worthy enough to merit giving up his desirable existence, suddenly recipients of his coveted attention mysteriously fall prey to a murderer. The murders seem unrelated with one exception–all the victims have recently returned from a fabulous weekend rendezvous with Mr. Romance.
Adam’s assistant, Katie Sinclair, knows Adam is innocent with airtight alibis. The police are at a loss so Adam and Katie work together to discover the link between the murders. As luck would have it, their plan to prove the murderer is copying classic Cary Grant movies goes astray just as Adam realizes his perfect woman has been by his side all along.
Available from BookStrand Publishing (Electronic Format, Print coming in spring 2011) http://www.bookstrand.com/classic-murder-mr-romance
For an excerpt and to see the trailer visit my web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/mrromance.htm
It’s not too late, you can go back and add comments. Now to the giveaways, everyone one who participates by commenting on each day of the tour will have their name placed in a drawing for a Photo Album and a signed copy of Watching Jenny.
Everyone who participates and comments on half of the days will have their name in a drawing for a download of Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (or they can wait until it’s in print for a signed copy)
- About the Author
- Posts in the Past
Mary has lived her entire life in the Salt Lake City Valley, where she has raised a family of three children and three stepchildren. One of her favorite things to do is spend time with her seven grandchildren.
Mary is a member of the Romance Writers of America and several sister chapters. She served as 2006-2007 Vice-President. Though she loves romance, writing suspense is her favorite. Mary’s dream conference would be the opportunity to attend ThrillerFest.
Mary and her husband love traveling, their favorites are the Caribbean for relaxation and Italy for the wine. Their experiences have given her valuable insight for her stories.
Mary has four books with BookStrand and two novella’s out.
I definitely see a story in everyday life. In fact, my mother has often teased me about how I look at thing. Her “what a pretty country road” becomes “That’s a great place to dump a body” from me. I see mystery, romance, broken hearts around every corner. That’s the trouble with an overactive imagination.
Nice blog post!
Nice post, Mary. My previous comment got eaten, but I do see stories in everything. What is simple to some becomes very complex in the hands of an author.
Congrats on the new book 🙂
LOL you sound like a friend of mine, murder around every corner.
All my ideas come from something I’ve heard, read about, watched or experienced. Just not when it happens. It’s always later. If someone were to say to me, “Why don’t you write a story about xyz, you know a lot about it?” I’d say okay and think about it, and it would be a blank paper.
My stories find me…
Thanks for commenting.
Great interview! I really liked the question about seeing the world differently.
Thanks,
Paige
Great topic. I’ve always thought writers look at the world with a slightly different eye. I think that’s what makes us open to the ideas that find us. The ultimate challenge is taking that idea and turning it into a story the meets the approval of the rest of the world…using their eyes.
Good luck with the book and the rest of your blog tour, Mary.
When I think of ary Grant, I think of screw ball comedies instead of his serious pictures. Is there humor in Mr. Romance?
Gah! CCCCCC, Cary. Former teacher here, I hate typos.
Thank Paige and Stanalei.
I’ve never had anyone ask me that before. I’ve had “Where do you get your ideas.” I also think writers observe their surroundings more intently than others. Sort of like an artist. The colors are brighter.
Okay so I’m poetic today, shoot me. LOL
Liz,
Thanks! I just saw your comment. I have trouble with blogs eating my posts all the time. Welcome to my world. LOL
Liz you see everything more colorful, I can tell just by talking to you. You’re a naturally born story teller, one that keeps your audience on the edge of the seats listening.
Anne, I hate when I do typo’s also. Which is often.
There is a bit of comedy in the story. But it’s mostly Cary Grant / Hitchcock type movies. I just love Cary Grant.
thanks for dropping by,
Mary