#Authorinterview with Mari Collier @child7mari

Today, I’d like to introduce you to a fellow Creativia author, Mari Collier.  Welcome to my blog.

Marilyn Collier

If you love westerns and sci-fi, then you need to read her incredible series starting with Earthbound.

But, right now, we will be talking about her latest book.  Tell us about your newest release. 

The latest is an anthology entitled Twisted Tales From A Skewed Mind. I am working on another novel, but we won’t mention that now.

Twisted Tales from a Skewed Mind by [Collier, Mari]

What is the story about?

Since its an anthology, there are a bunch of stories, all with a twisted look at the world. Retail Wedding is a good example. Did you know some people actually are married in a store or restaurant? I had the bride wearing high heels with red spikes protruding from the shoes. I thought that rather original until my grandson found them online. Not just one style, but many different styles of shoes with spikes.

Who is the main character?

Once again there isn’t one main character, however, two of the vampire stories do feature Valda, a vampire originally from Iowa. She has been in three of my short stories and I’m seriously thinking of doing another one with her as the main character.

What inspired this tale?

The vampire tales were strictly Valda’s idea.

How did the story come to you?

Valda keeps telling me what she does. The other stories were triggered by something I saw or read. The Boy Who Refused to Grow Old started in my brain when I worked for Nintendo. Parents would call and complain they couldn’t make the child put the Game Boy down. The Present was the result of another author challenging me to write a story about magic. Once A Frog Always A Frog was started when I read something about transferring matter for real, not just like they did on the old Star Trek series.

Did you have to research for this novel and if so, why?

I certainly had to do research for Once A Frog Always A Frog as I had to know where the scientist came from and how the Farm Bureau Agent could explain things. I also had to research Florida history for one story. A couple of the others involved research about prices, mechanics, and other items. Things may be weird, but there must be some logic in the story.

If you did research, what do you think surprised you most to learn and why?

The red spikes set in extremely high, white dress shoes. I couldn’t imagine anyone wearing them. Perhaps because I’m not one of the graceful people. The other was how far advanced our government is in matter transfer and that they are actually doing this.

Do you relate to your character?

Usually I have nothing in common with my characters in the short stories.

Is your protagonist anything like you personally?

One story, however, you might say one character is like me. We’re both from Iowa and both of us are very practical.

If yes, then how?

If necessary we can look for a solution in strange places.

What made you write this character; what made them important to you or made you want to tell their story?

Once again, Elvie just was there in my mind telling me what happened. I did use one of the towns I knew well in my home state as the backdrop for the story. It made writing it easy.

Is there anything specific you want readers to know about this piece of work?

It is simply a fun read, although a couple of the stories might make you think. Particularly the satire Retail Wedding.

Has the book already been published?

Yes, Twisted Tales From A Skewed Mind is available in paperback and for your Kindle or eReader.

If yes, do you have a link available for buying it?

Amazon paperback, Kindle and electronic readers: https://www.amazon.com/Twisted-Tales-Skewed-Mind-Collier-ebook/dp/B01NBMAHZ6

Barnes & Noble paperback: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/twisted-tales-from-a-skewed-mind-mari-collier/1125411321?ean=9781541337497

Okay, let’s learn more about you, as a writer Who is Mari Collier?

First of all, I am a child of God. I was born and raised on a farm in Iowa. My childhood home had no electricity, no indoor facilities and no heated water except for what was in the wood stove reservoir. Let’s just say allergies necessitated a move to Phoenix. I married my high school sweetheart and after two children he moved us to North Bend, WA. The only good thing about that was the job I found at Nintendo of America. My beloved has left this Earth, but I’m in a small community in the high desert. I’m on the Board of Directors for the Twentynine Palms Historical Society, and I write two columns for the Old Schoolhouse Journal. It was my husband, Lanny, that urged me to return to writing when he caught me “wool gathering.” That’s looking off into space while the story unwinds in one’s head. My family is here, and there are art galleries, theaters, and libraries to enjoy.

What inspired you to start writing?

I started when I was still in grade school. I sold one short story before moving to Washington. I was also caring for my mother-in-law, and dealing with two traumatized teenagers. We had left Phoenix. When I started to work outside the home, all writing ended until we retired.

What is your favorite book you have written and why

Gather The Children may be my favorite. It was the one I started when I was a child. I just didn’t finish it until decades later. By that time, it had grown into six novels, and another two.

Gather The Children (Chronicles of the Maca Book 2) by [Collier, Mari]

When you are not writing, what do you do to recharge?

Work at the museum, read, housework or yardwork, exercise, maybe take a walk.

Are you an Indie Author or are you part of a publishing house?

I’m published through Creativia Publishing. That makes me a semi-indie as they are not a traditional publishing company.

Do you read books within the genres you write?

Yes, right now I’m reading Zenna Henderson’s the Ingathering. She’s the science fiction writer that conceived The People.

Besides being an author, do you have a second job?

No, other than the work at the Old Schoolhouse Museum (once a week, plus docent stints).

What do you enjoy most about being an author?.

The knowledge that people enjoy my stories. I just heard about another one today.

How can your readers connect with you?

Twitter: https://twitter.com/child7mari

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Twisted-Tales-From-A-Skewed-Mind-124947397618599/

Blog / website: http://maricollier.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marilyn-collier-70208a35?trk=hp-identity-name

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Mari-Collier/e/B00BGTT09Q

About Sahara Foley

Sahara Foley, in collaboration with her beloved late husband, writes urban and dark fantasy, science fantasy, and the occasional horror tale. She is an international award-winner and the first book in her Excalibur Saga series has been an Amazon bestseller multiple times. In 2018, she teamed up with friend and fellow author J.M. Northup to start Norns Triad Publications. They represent four authors under their brand. Sahara was born and still resides in the Midwest. Insurance Guru during the day, on her time off she enjoys reading, gardening, traveling with her family, helping fellow authors, and her secret passion – gaming. She is currently working on a new fantasy, time-travel story titled, Time Stones, slated to be released in 2022. You can connect with Sahara below: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksbysaharafoley Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaharaFoley Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/saharafoley/ Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Sahara-Foley/e/B00J9ST32U/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
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5 Responses to #Authorinterview with Mari Collier @child7mari

  1. Mari Collier says:

    Thanks so much for the invitation, Sahara!

  2. Kiersten says:

    Hey there would you mind letting me know which
    webhost you’re using? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers
    and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker then most.
    Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a fair price?
    Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

  3. Hi Sarah,

    I’m narrating Earthbound by Mari Collier & am about 2/3rds of the way through the initial recording. I was just looking up more about her & found your interview. I just signed the contract yesterday to do Gather the Children as well. Hoping to have them both available by the end of 2019. You can see my other material at http://www.bennyfifeaudio.com. I love Mari’s writing. It’s Louis Lamour meets Athur C. Clarke.

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