Little Blurb about yourself:
I’m basically a creative sort who can entertain myself for weeks with projects—writing, painting, drawing. I’ve lived most of my life in the Midwest, Ohio and Indiana, but three years ago my husband and I moved to Tampa. The change has been a wonderful adventure. I love being outdoors any day I choose, whether I’m kayaking, hiking, or cycling. I love the water and aspire to be a beach bum. I write chapters for my book on our dock or at the beach. Inspiration from nature fuels my writing.
1. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
As early as I can remember I’ve always been driven by creativity. In college, I wanted to pursue Literature and Fine Art, but my parents encouraged me to study Biology, so I might eventually find a reliable job. That was fine, since I liked that subject also. My compromise—a Biology major and an English minor. I wrote essays as a fun break from my full load of Science. Yes, weird that I thought writing essays was fun…still do!
I didn’t aim to be a fiction author. My path evolved to this end. Years after graduating, I worked as a rock music reviewer just for fun. During that time, I was inspired by some of those experiences and tinkered with fiction. Initially, I wrote fiction based on the world of rock music. Through a lucky happenstance, a man who worked for a major book publishing house read my first attempts at fiction, which were posted on a music forum. He repeatedly encouraged me to submit my creative writing. Over time, I came to believe him and did. After that, a new world opened up and it’s been a wonderful time.
2. How long did it take you to write Heritage Avenged?
It took about 4 months, with some time spent on detours in life slowing down the writing a bit.
3. While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
I’ve never done that. I often go back and tweak a scene to bring out a different side or make a certain character have a stronger role, but I don’t rewrite the plot. That’s mostly because the major ideas are planned ahead and have a logical flow.
4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
I almost always go to the fantasy genre. Other times, I look for interesting books about yoga or related spiritual references/inspirational books with short readings or poems.
5. How many books in a month do you tend to read?
About 1-2 fiction and 3 non-fiction
6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
My own main character in the Enchanted Bookstore Legends, Lyra McCauley, is more real to me than those I’ve read, probably because she’s very much connected to me. Even in the first chapter of the first book, the childhood memories brought to her mind by Cullen’s magical tea are actually all mine. How Lyra interacts with her Aunt Jean has been a way for me to work through my own issues with my mother’s failing health. Some scenes intentionally connect to my own experiences, like those, and others surprise me much later when I’m polishing my draft to send to my editor.
7. State 5 random facts about yourself.
I just this week signed up for a year-long yoga teacher certification program and am very eager for that to start.
I practice Tibetan Buddhism.
I love to knit in the hammock in our lanai while the sun sets. Dusk is my favorite time of the day.
I talk to pelicans while I sit on our dock or kayak around the lagoon.
My mother recently passed away in May after a long struggle with dementia. I’m glad her suffering ended, and I’m working to find my way without her in my daily life.
8. Your favorite Genre?
I love the genre I write—fantasy romance. A close second for me is magical realism.
9. What are you currently reading?
I’m reading Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb and One Song: A New Illuminated Rumi by Michael Green
10. What is the best book you've read?
That’s impossible to narrow it to only one. I loved Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. The symbolism is amazing; the more you read, the more layers you find. Inspired by that, I like to hide things in my stories.
From the present, picking one book is too hard. The Harry Potter series is one of my all-time favorites. Again, the layering of hidden plots, which spin to completion later in the series, really captures my imagination. The last few books that really pulled me in were Natasha Mostert’s Season of the Witch and Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus. In both of those, magic caused mental effects for both the giver and receiver. I enjoy the complexity of that theme and employ it myself in a very different way. My heroine, Lyra, must learn to mentally control her vast inherited powers as the new Scribe. That is something she struggles to master through the series.
Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?
I’m in love with this series I’m presently writing—the Enchanted Bookstore Legends. The first two books are available: part one—Seeking a Scribe; part two—Heritage Avenged. It’s a blast to write these legends with all the interwoven subplots, clues, and red herrings that will be unwind slowly in later books. The scope of an epic fantasy written over a series of five books is something I’m really enjoying and I think readers would also.
A little background on the series~
The Enchanted Bookstore Legends are about Lyra McCauley, a woman destined to become one of five strong women in her family who possess unique magical abilities and serve as Scribes in Dragonspeir. The Scribes span a long history, dating from 1200 to present day. Each Scribe is expected to journey through Dragonspeir, both the good and evil factions, then draft a written account. Each book contains magic with vast implications.
Lyra was first introduced to Dragonspeir as a young girl, when she met the high sorcerer, Cullen Drake, through a gift of one of those enchanted books. Using its magic, he escorted her into the parallel world of Dragonspeir. Years later, she lost that volume and forgot the world and Cullen. These legends begin where he finds her again—she is thirty-five, standing in his enchanted bookstore, and Dragonspeir needs her.
When Lyra reopens that enchanted book, she confronts a series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from destruction by the evil Black Dragon. While learning about her role, Lyra and Cullen fall in love. He is 220 years old and kept alive by Dragonspeir magic. Cullen will die if Dragonspeir is taken over by the evil faction…Lyra becomes the Scribe.
Author Bio:
Marsha A. Moore is a writer of fantasy romance. The magic of art and nature spark life into her writing. Her creativity also spills into watercolor painting and drawing. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transforming into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors.
Crazy about cycling, she usually passes the 1,000 mile mark yearly. She is learning kayaking and already addicted. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and that spiritual quest helps her explore the mystical side of fantasy. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at new stories with toes wiggling in the sand.
Every day at the beach is magical!
Author Links:
Website
Fantasy Faction staff page
Goodreads author page
Google +
Purchase Links:
Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two ~ available for only $1.29
Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One ~ available for only 99 cents
Giveaway for 10 copies of Heritage Avenged: Enchanted Bookstore Legend Two
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Sue, thanks lots for interviewing me!
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