http://smarturl.it/uponyourhonor

http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00JTKTODG

CreateSpace:  https://www.createspace.com/4762748

Solstice:  http://solsticepublishing.com/upon-your-honor/

Young: What is your mind set or process as you sit down to write? Do you have a playlist going? Do you need complete silence? Are you a 6 am writer or an 11 pm writer?

M.L.: I don’t have any specific techniques.  The ideas just come to me, and I write them down wherever I am.  If I’m heavily focused on a project, I will try to commit myself to writing every day, even several times a day if possible (unless that day is specifically meant for research).  Sometimes I do listen to music; I even try to match the music to the genre or subgenre I am writing.  For example, I have listened to Celtic music when I was writing a historical romance/fantasy before. Music can definitely affect your writing.  There are times when I do need complete silence to concentrate, however.  I don’t usually write early in the morning (not a morning person), but I do write anywhere from afternoon to late at night.

Young: How do you balance writing with work and/or personal life?

M.L.: It is hard to balance all of it. I just try to fit promotion and writing in along with work and my personal life if I can. Some days, I have to train myself to say “no” to one or two tasks in order to allow the important things in. Even if I put something off until the next day, it still gets accomplished. I applaud writers who can juggle it all effortlessly.

Young: Do you have any other projects you’re working on?

M.L.: Of course.  I just finished up writing on a children’s fantasy story, titled A Little Magick, which is also the sequel to Magick & Moonlight, a book that was released in March.  I am also working on the third book of the Heiresses in Love Series.  It is titled Upon Your Love.  Additionally, I have one new book, Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, which should be releasing very soon through Solstice Shadows Publishing if it hasn’t already by the time this interview is published.

Young: Marie is giving us a sneak peak of the book cover for Second Nature.

M.L.: For readers who are interested to pre-order Second Nature, this is the purchase link: http://www.amazon.com/Second-Nature-Blood-First-Sight-ebook/dp/B00Q7FWIWA/

Young: Last but not least, do you have any words of advice for aspiring writers?

M.L.: Learn everything you can about the business. Don’t get arrogant; everyone has room to learn more. You never know. Someone’s advice might really work for you. Read a lot of books in your genre just to get a feel for how things are done, but don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone from time to time. What else?  Oh!  Just relax.  Never stop writing, but don’t push yourself too hard either. Enjoy the time when writing is just for enjoyment; being an “author” is hard work.

Marie Lavender, Romance Author