by Mary | Feb 17, 2016 | DOC, Edgar Allan Poe
Readers often suggest books I should write. My standard reply is, “Well, arranged marriages can work nicely for some folks, but I have to fall in love on my own.” When I’m almost finished with a novel, I start dating again. I read promiscuously and...
by Mary | Jul 16, 2014 | Edgar Allan Poe, Natural History of a Novel, What I'm working on now., Writer Tech
The first book I didn’t write was about Jean-Louis Michel. The son of a French soldier and a Haitian slave, he was born in 1775 in what is now Haiti. In 1795, Toussaint Louverture and the black population of the island defeated the French army. Those of mixed...
by Mary | Jun 19, 2014 | Edgar Allan Poe, EPITAPH, What I'm working on now., Writer Tech
I am officially between books. On average, it takes me three years to finish a novel. For 36 months running, I start every day the same way. Two cups of coffee, three newspapers. Into the office, hands on the keyboard. Okay, GO. Eventually, an insane drive for...
by Mary | Jan 31, 2014 | Edgar Allan Poe, EPITAPH, Natural History of a Novel, What I'm working on now., Writer Tech
The semi-final manuscript for Epitaph went to my agency Dystel and Goderich a month ago. That was the first time they’d seen it since selling the first 150 pages to Ecco at HarperCollins a couple of years ago. If I’d asked for help along the way, I’m...
by Mary | Jan 5, 2014 | Edgar Allan Poe, Natural History of a Novel, THE SPARROW
This guest blog by Duncan Field spotlights a high-class problem in a writing career: having a hit, right out of the box. Epitaph update: the manuscript is due at the end of the month. I’ve cut 20,000+ words since finishing a complete first draft. Still...
by Mary | Oct 10, 2013 | Edgar Allan Poe, Natural History of a Novel, What I'm working on now.
I’ve moved from 87% committed to the Poe novel to “Okay. I’m in.” Here’s why: 1. The first two biographies I’ve read have kept my interest and I’m looking forward to more research. 2. I’m starting this book largely...
