Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I live in Utah, just west of Salt Lake City. I love to travel, go to concerts, read and of course hang out with family. I haven’t always loved sports, they were okay but now I love sports, most. We have season tickets to the University of Utah Football and Gymnastics. We love baseball and whenever we get a chance we go to a Yankees game.
I have wanted to write for as long as I can remember. I started one when my kids were little, that didn’t go over well. Before the internet. Yes, I’m old. LOL. But when my kids started moving out I decided it was time. That was in the early 2000’s. I’ve learned a LOT the hard way.
Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you?
I just write a bit of backstory to get the feel of the characters, do an outline of characters and then write by the seat of my pants. I add things to my backstory doc as I go.
Do you ever get writer’s Block?
Not often, it’s usually just problems with a scene so I can move forward. I take a walk or clean to clear my head when that happens.
What genre do you write?
I write more than one. I started with Romantic Suspense, I’ve added Romance, Women’s fiction, one middle grade I wrote with my three oldest grandsons and currently I’m writing a fantasy complete with Wizards, Witches, faeries, Deamhans, Warriors, and Dragons.
How did you come up with the ideas for your books?
I do not know. The ideas pop into my head at weird times. I was driving to work when Alanis Morissette came on the radio and for some reason, the idea of a stalker came to mind and the idea for Watching Jenny was born.
My son used to take his nephew to the grocery store with him to pick up girls, hence my idea for Chick Magnet.
I am not sure of the others. With Romance and Misconceptions it started out as a romantic suspense but then I liked the twin that was supposed to die so much I turned it into a romantic comedy.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Join a book club of readers, not other authors. You’ll read books you’d never have picked up on your own. You’ll have firsthand experience of what a reader likes and dislikes about how authors write. How they react to certain situations. I have found it very valuable. Especially since there is always wine.
Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?
My website: www.marymartinez.comwww.marymartinez.com
Mary’s Garden Blog: http://marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com/
The After Work Cook Blog: http://theafterworkcook.blogspot.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormarymartinez/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marylmartinez
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMaryMartinez/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTww3B2ofa11UPFrSe0WGAg
Pinterest (my fav) https://www.pinterest.com/marylmartinez3/
Mary’s Book Group News: http://www.marymartinez.com/marys-book-group-news.html
Do you have an excerpt you’d like to share with us?
Excerpt from Classic Murder: Mr. Romance
“Would you like to come up for a drink?” Katie asked and then hiccupped loudly. Placing a hand over her mouth, she looked around. Adam watched her cheeks pinken with embarrassment. Then another giggle escaped. God, she’s cute.
“Come on, Katie. Let’s go to your apartment and get you ready for bed.”
Katie straightened up and looked up at Adam. Adam watched as she started to lean to the side, he hurried to place a steadying handout, but before he could, she started to teeter the other way. He finally grabbed her by the shoulders. Walking her backwards until they reached the side of the building, he propped her up against the brick. He leaned down and took the ridiculously high-heeled shoes off her feet, one at a time. Shoes in hand, he stood up.
“Okay, I think you can walk to your apartment. Come on.”
Adam was glad they didn’t have to take the stairs. He would have had to pick her up and carry her. Not that it wasn’t a tempting idea, but he was having a hard enough time controlling himself without the added temptation. At her apartment, he kept one arm around her waist and half propped her against the wall. He waited while she fumbled in her minuscule silver purse for her key. Then he unlocked the door.
“In you go, Katie. Now which way to your bedroom?” Adam asked.
Before she could answer, Oscar barked from the kitchen where Katie had left him for the evening. First things, first; someone had to take care of the poor dog and then he could deal with Katie. He led her to the sofa, helped her sit and smiled at the silly grin she had on her face.
Standing at the door, Oscar waiting to be let out, Adam looked at Katie. “I’m talking the dog for a walk. Will you be all right?”
Katie blinked and her head rolled to the side to look at him. She grinned wider, then hiccupped. “Yup.”
Adam sighed. He couldn’t just let the dog out; he had to be on a leash. Hoping she stayed on the couch, he let himself and Oscar out.
When Adam let himself back into the apartment a few minutes later, Katie was still sitting where he had left her. Her eyes closed and the same silly grin spread across her face. He walked over and, as his face came level with hers, her eyes popped open and her hand came up quickly. Before Adam knew what was happening, she’d put her hand to the back of his head and pulled him in. Her warm lips locked with his. Desire shot through his body.
Reminding himself that she wouldn’t remember it in the morning, he forced himself to pull away gently. Taking both her hands, he pulled her to her feet, where she slightly swayed.
The Clog Blog 