Author Interview: Murder on Mars by M.M. Shelley

Amazon / Sony e-reader / Smashwords

Little Blurb about yourself:

M.M. Shelley is a storyteller, word smith and dreamer. She has traveled the world extensively in search of the magic which is often overlooked in everyday life. M.M. Shelley is a native of southern California, and a student of mythology from which she gets much inspiration


1. Who or what inspired you to become a writer?
      Writing is something that I’ve always enjoyed. One of my aunts writes and my cousins and I grew up on her stories. 

2. How long did it take you to write Murder on Mars?
    With Murder on Mars (A New Orleans Mystery) it took me about six months. I visited New Orleans after hurricane Katrina and I couldn’t help but fall for the city, it has a certain charm to it that you don’t find anywhere else. 

There was a lot of research involved with this story, and I enjoyed every part of it. I plan on returning this summer to New Orleans, there are a few more places that I would like to see firsthand. 

3. While writing how many times do you go back and rewrite a plot?
    I create a chapter by chapter outline first, and then I write the first draft. Once the first draft is done I go back and rework it and add detail. After I’ve completed a third round I send it off to my beta readers. Once I get my copies back and talk to them, I do another round of edits before sending it to my editor.  

There are a few subplots in Murder on Mars and I was careful to make sure they were smoothed out. 


4. You run into a bookstore, where do you go first?
    The mystery section, sometimes though, I will wonder over into the Romance section and pick up the new Julie Garwood or J.D. Robb.

5. How many books in a month do you tend to read?
    About five or six and in a good month eight, I enjoy reading and I like to read not only YA, but other genres as well. 


6. In all the books you've read. Who is your most favorite character and why?
Eve Dallas from the ‘In Death’ series by J.D. Robb, she is a very well written character with different tones and dimensions. 


7. State 5 random facts about yourself.
1. Black Belt in Kung Fu Tai Shing Pek Kwar 
2. Love researching my family Genealogy
3. I have four brothers 
4. I enjoy oil painting, but don’t have the skill for it!
5. Love road trips! 

    
8. Your favorite Genre?
    YA


9. What are you currently reading?
      I just received my new Amazon Kindle (my old one died tragically…) and I’m currently loading up on books. I enjoy recommendations and always appreciate it when my friends on Goodreads send them my way.


10. What is the best book you've read?
There are too many of them to list!


11. Any new projects coming up?
      I do have one that I’m working on called A Witch’s Winter 


Here’s your chance to market your book. Describe it. And why readers should pick it up?


Murder on Mars is a mystery suspense; it begins with sixteen year old Ava Lopez arriving in New Orleans after learning that a good friend of hers has disappeared. She begins to track him down by piecing together what he had been doing the last few days before he disappeared; she discovers a hidden world within the city.


About the Author:

M.M. Shelley is a storyteller, word smith and dreamer. She has traveled the world extensively in search of the magic which is often overlooked in every day life. M.M. Shelley is a native of southern California, and a student of mythology from which she gets much inspiration. Visit M.M. Shelley: www.mmshelley.com

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