Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Mary Ball

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Mary Ball

Linda:  Welcome back. You’ve recently had two books release back-to back. What was it like to juggle the two projects?

Mary: At times, challenging. I have to keep focused on the deadlines.

LM: Did you always want to be a writer or did that desire come later, and if so, how?

Mary:   Later. When I stopped public work to keep my oldest grandson, I found time on my hands and started writing Christian articles for Exmainer.com. From there an idea for a fiction novel began and a year and half later Inspired Romance Novels published my first novel, Escape to Big Fork Lake.  

LM: You’ve written multiple books. Where do you get your plot ideas, and are they ever based or inspired by true stories? 

Mary: Not really. I believe I get inspiration with the Lord’s nudging. An idea forms and will tug at me, until I begin to put it down on word.          

LM: What sort of research did you have to do for Awaken the Past?

Mary: I live in a small town but didn’t have knowledge of the police procedures in small towns so I needed to find out a few things. I also researched gas lines on older model cars.    

LM: How have you dealt with writer’s block?

Mary: I try not to let it grab hold of me for long. Most time, if I open my WIP file and read the last chapter, or the one I’ve started, it won’t be long before I’m diving into it again.   

LM: How to you prepare yourself for writing? Do you have a routine you follow?

Mary: No. I’m busy with church obligations and my youngest grandson so I have to make use of every chance I get to sit down with at my desktop or with my laptop.

LM: What writing projects are on your plate right now?

Mary: I have a Christmas novella due in September that will part of Romancing the Christmas Angel boxed set by Winged Publications. The stories are set in 1930-1945 and are based on a good-hearted, caring heroine. I choose 1945 (when war ended) as my date because this is my first Historical and I knew I’d need lots of research. During that period, many men came home from WW11 wounded. My hero deals with being an amputee. While researching, I was astonished to discover The National Academy of Sciences (an American governmental agency) established the Artificial Limb Program in 1945. The program began the many improvements made and changed the quality of life for many.

I’m also looking forward to my next mystery novel project with age 50+ heroines, set in a small town.

                  

Linda: Where can folks connect with you?

Mary: 

Website: http://www.marylball.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracefulbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/inspires4mary
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8757890-mary-l-ball

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authormary/                   

 

About Awaken the Past:

Everything Laurel believed about her childhood suddenly changed.

During her mother's illness, Laurel discovers unsettling things from her past. She travels to the small town of Silver Springs, North Carolina to search for the truth. She arrives in town and senses people watching her every move. Even the easygoing police officer Chad Wilkes gives her the cold shoulder.

With trouble following her, the Lord is the only one she can trust. Can she find the secret to the past and open her heart to more changes?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2XwoZRl

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Mary L. Ball

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Mary L. Ball

Linda:  Congratulation on your most recent publication, Sunny’s Dream. 

Here's the blurb: Sunny spends her week fighting cyber-crime and dreaming of her prince charming. When a man walks into Celestial Investigations and introduces himself as Trouble, she's sure he's not her prince and positive he lives up to his name. 

After Max Trouble finds an important document, his life gets complicated with the know-it-all PI hired to track down its owner. 

Sunny and Max's relationship grows. She's optimistic that he may be her Prince Charming, but after her car is sabotaged and she's almost killed, Max's chauvinistic ideas of a female investigator surface.

Will Sunny see God's perfect plan or a not-so-perfect relationship?

What was your inspiration for the story?

Mary:  One day on the way home, I glanced at the horizon. The inspiration came to do a series based on three sisters. Before I got home, I knew the character's names, the title to the series, Celestial Investigation, and parts of the plot for Sunny’s Dream, book one 1.

LM: What sort of research did you do about being a Private Investigator?

Mary: Google is my go-to library. I searched for P.I. requirements in North Carolina, and sought out various stories based on cases to get a perspective about the inner workings of an investigator. I have a Pinterest board titled “book research” where I try to keep my searches, but sometimes I’m too wrapped up in my story, and forget to add a page.  

 

LM: What writers influence you the most?

Mary: Nicholas Sparks and Terri Reed.

LM: What’s the quirkiest thing you’ve ever done?

Mary: I haven’t done it yet. At least, I don’t think so. Cheesy grinJ

LM: Here are some quickies:

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Author: Nicholas Sparks

Favorite Food: Pepperoni and mushroom pizza

LM: What are your passions outside of writing? 

Mary: I enjoy singing at church and other places, by myself and with hubby. My singing ministry website is http://heirsofsalvation2.webs.com.

LM: What advice can you give to not-yet-published writers?

Mary: Never give up. Keep writing, editing and submitting to publishers. If you’re consistent with your goal, it will happen. 

LM: Can you tell us what writing projects are on your plate right now?

Mary: I’m working on Luna’s Treasure, the second book in the Celestial Investigation series. I also have an eBook manuscript titled Asheville Hearts that I’m polishing up for Pelican Book Group’s Destination Romance series.    

Linda: Where can folks connect with you?

Mary: Thanks for asking. You’ll find my cyber home at: http://www.marylball.com

Other places I frequent are:

https://www.facebook.com/gracefulbooks

https://twitter.com/inspires4mary
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8757890-mary-l-ball
https://www.pinterest.com/authormary/

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Author Mary Ball

Meet Author Mary Ball

I'm pleased to introduce you to author Mary Ball, who took time from her busy schedule to stop by for a visit.

Author Mary L. Ball

Linda:  Welcome, Mary. You have several books out, with another coming soon. When did you know you want to pursue publication?

Mary: After writing many Christian articles a desire rooted in my heart to scribe fiction. It took seven months to complete my manuscript, then a year of editing and polishing. I began submitting to publishers, another year later my debut novel, Escape to Big Fork Lake was accepted by Prism Book Group.    

LM: In your second book “Stones of Destiny” where did you find your inspiration for the story?

Mary:  I was passing by my oldest grandson one day; his nose was deep into one of those YA books about magic. The thought came to me that there all kinds of captivating wonder around and real miracles. So I set out to write a fictional story that starts with a simple object but becomes hope to hang onto through faith and prayer.

LM: Do you have an unusual research story to share?

Mary: No. LOL I wish I did.

LM: The age old question for writers-are you a “pantster” or a plotter?

Mary: I’m a little of both. I will note a short outline of the way I think the novel will go, but it never gets written that way. As my characters evolve they always surprise me by talking different approaches. Sometimes, the Lord will quicken my spirit to changes that need to happen along the way too.

LM: What is your favorite scene in the story?

Mary: There are several but the one that stands out is when Taylor finds the heirloom ring and slips it on her finger and experiences unexplained feelings.     

LM: What is your next project?

Mary: I’m working with my editor for the release of Sparks of Love later in the fall. I would like to share the blurb.

Sparks of Love

Misjudged and accused, Lynette Cunningham walks away from God and everything she loves.

Ten years later, a phone call from father offers hope when he announces he may have a clue to the unsolved crime that forced her to run. She’s scared, but encouraged. Maybe this will clear her name from slander in her small North Carolina hometown.

Before Lynette returns tragedy strikes. A Fire destroys her childhood home and kills her father.

While she sorts through the ruins and hopes to find the clue, Lynette meets the new pastor, Price Fletcher.

 She must face the two things that scare her most. The past and a man of God.

 Can Lynette acknowledge her love for a man who represents the One she believes let her down? Will she stay alive long enough to prove her innocence?  

LM: Sounds very interesting! You’ve got a full plate as an Associate Pastor’s wife, author, and a singing ministry. What advice can you offer for fledgling writers about balancing the areas of their lives?

Mary: Life is busy, not everyone can shut themselves up in their office and write six hours a day. Don’t put yourself into the stereotype where you believe that you can’t accomplish being an author if you don’t set a certain time each day to write for hours. For some it’s fine, but for others (me) we have to go with the flow. Pick out times to write each day that work for you and don’t beat yourself up if your schedule only allows for a little writing time. The most important thing is to write as much as possible, and stay focused on your goal of completing your book.

LM: What are your passions outside of writing?

Mary: Lol. Well like you mentioned, I sing. Praising God in songs is my way of destressing. It may not seem relaxing to stand in front of people and sing but it’s a joy to love the Lord with a song. I also enjoy the being outdoors and fishing.    

LM: Thanks for visiting today! Find Mary Ball on Amazon.