by Mary | Feb 18, 2011 | DOC
And it’s grand, but first let me tell you about my initial encounter with Kirkus Reviews. In the spring of 1996, when The Sparrow was getting close to publication, I got an email from Brian McLendon, who was the publicist for the book. “Mary,” it...
by Mary | Jan 31, 2011 | THE SPARROW
This morning, a librarian contacted me about a fund raising campaign to build a new library in Jefferson, Oregon. They are collecting recipes for a cookbook called Authors and Appetites. I knew immediately which recipe I would submit. Frances Gugeler (GOO-gler) was...
by Mary | Jan 26, 2011 | What I'm working on now.
Anyone willing to share memories of taking piano lessons as a kid? I’m writing a scene for two sisters, ages 15 and 10. They are both beginners. The older one won’t have the patience for practice, but the younger one will take to it and make progress more...
by Mary | Jan 22, 2011 | What I'm working on now.
Recently, a reader wrote, “I envy you taking piano lessons… Alas! At 68, it is too late!” Nonsense. At 60, I am as cognitively challenged as most geezers. I can’t multitask. I need a nap in the afternoon. I don’t have senior moments; I...
by Mary | Jan 7, 2011 | DOC
Since writing THE SPARROW, I’ve attended a number of science fiction conventions and enjoyed them hugely, but I’ve never been one to wear Spock ears or dress up as an Imperial Stormtrooper. This reluctance to live out fantasies in public could be a sign of...
by Mary | Dec 30, 2010 | DOC
The Ohio Supreme Court has just ruled that Ohio cities cannot pass restrictive gun ordinances that go beyond those passed by the state government. Sometime today, someone will say, “This will turn Cleveland into Dodge City!” Actually, Dodge City had very...
