So, Marilynn (now that I can spell your name correctly and think we'd have a fun time together) if you aren't busy Saturday night we have a ladies night planned at my church. Drop in if you'll be in Iowa. It's going to be the loud church on the edge of town. Can't miss it.
I interupt this interview for a quick news flash:
Construction update:
I've put some of my stuff in my new closet. No shelves or rods yet. My girls have carpet. This remodel thing is going to be behind me soon. My hubby is uber-wonderful.
I'll soon have a writing area to call my own. Others often call this "office space."
Red - Me - Blue - Marilynn
Book, music, person, food you would take with you on a very long trip.
The Bible, a hymnal, Patti Labelle. and a full kitchen. She'd cover the music and the food, not to mention giving me some great hairdos. I'd need my mpe player and some running shoes. My huband's coming too, right? LOL
Where would you most like to travel ----- moon, north pole, deep seas, deserted island, the holy land or back to a place from your childhood, somewhere else? – and why.
I'd love to go to Nigeria and meet my father's family there. I've never been.
Favorite season and why?
Fall. Anyone who knows me will suck their teeth if they read this since I have a nervous breakdown like every October, but I love the leaves, the food, the holidays, all of it.
Favorite book setting and why?
Strangely enough, I love fictional settings like Middle Earth from Narnia. Southwest settings intrigue me. I love Ohio settings, probably because I was born there.
Which compliment related to your writing has meant the most and why?
Having Sharon Ewell Foster and Lisa Samson endorse my first book meant the world to me. I respect both of them very much.
What criticism has cut the deepest and why?
Oh my, you're going there aren't you? My first and only Publisher's Weekly review was brutal. Too much deepening faith and resolved relationships. I was down for a bit and then my husband said, "You're made because you wrote a book with faith and resolution? Who are you trying to please?" Did I say he was a good catch?
What would you do today if you knew you had only a week to live?
Eat a lot of cookies and write really, really, fast. :)
Some out there in writing land have strange rituals. Share yours.
Oh how I would love to have rituals. Instead, I have seven children. So...my rituals go like this: run, hide, turn on computer, type furiously, ask if child banging at door is bleeding, wipe blood and remember rest of scene, hug child and scribble in notebook... You get the idea. Most of the rituals I'd like to have are in my books!
I went to bed early but woke up in the middle of the night thinking about that writing ritual question. The Lord brought to mind that although that is the way I wrote most of my books, in the past few months, I really don't write as much when my kids are home. I thought about Tangerine and Turquoise and in truth, my writing ritual went more like this: walk, drink water, read Bible, pray, tea, write a while, check email, run errands, edit, pick up kids, etc.
Fiction character you would most like to be or most identify with and why?
Kelly, kelly what are you doing ot me? LOL Let's see... If I could be any fiction character, it would have to be Stargirl from Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. I would just love to be that perky for a few minutes. LOL
If you could ask any person, living or dead, a random question -- what question would you ask of whom?
Oh my! Let's see, that would have to be my wonderful grandmother, Goldie B. Freeman. She went to be with the Lord in 1987. My question for her would be why she called me Mary Lynn all my life when my name was really Marilynn! LOL I didn't find out my real name until I was 19. I guess my mom was tired from the birth and forgot what she named me. :)
Thanks, Marilynn. It's been loads of fun.
Here's Marilynn's web addy again:http://marilynngriffith
And the link to "If the Shoe Fits." http://www.amazon.com/exec
Have an excellent weekend, everyone.
I'll be packing and moving and hauling and tossing and HOPEFULLY sleeping at some point.
