It’s a pleasure to welcome author Marie Lavender back to Jemsbooks Blog Segment – Interview an Author. Here and here are her other quest posts on Jemsbooks.blog.

Hi Marie. You have visited my blog in the past with some of your other books – romances, mysteries, etc. Today you are here to introduce your children’s magical series to my readers and me.

1. Please tell us a little about yourself and how you first became interested in writing?

Hi, my name is Marie. I am from the Midwest. I live with my family and two cats. I love to write with gel pens! 😉

I’ve yearned to be an author since I was a kid. As a child, I was obsessed with books, and I’d haunt libraries and bookstores for fun. From the time I could write a legible sentence, it seemed, stories just poured out of me onto the page. I knew this was what I wanted to do for a career. I think the drive was further cemented when I took writing classes, or whenever we were asked to write a story for a project in school. I even entered some young writer’s contests.

jjspina: That is wonderful, Marie, when you know at a young age what you want to be.

2. What inspired you to write for children?

Actually, I stumbled into that. In 2014, I finished a lighthearted contemporary romantic fantasy novella. During the release party for the book, I was asked if there would be a follow-up story. Well, I had no plans for one. The muse, however, had something different in mind. A few months later, a little tale about the characters’ daughter came to me. Rosie needed to tell her story, so I dove into it. 

But this wasn’t the first time I wrote about a child character. Here’s some background. For all three books in my historical romance series, I had written prologues from the perspective of the younger version of the main character. I even submitted one for an assignment when I took a children’s literature class in college, back in 2005.

Jjspina: The muse always knows! Ha!

3. You are an author of multi-genres as am I. What mindset must you put yourself in when you are switching from romance or other genres to children’s stories?

I think it helped to do a youth character worksheet first. Secondly, I made sure that I met the guidelines of a good fantasy story, as least when it comes to the system of magic in the book.The source of Rosie’s ‘magick’ had to make sense.

Jjspina: It is quite different between novels and children’s stories. Good idea to do a character worksheet, whatever works for you.

4. Where do you prefer to write? With music or without?

I often write in bed, just before I go to sleep. But now and then, the muse strikes when I am at the dining table, lounging on the sofa, or while I’m outside on the patio. I think I get more accomplished when the sounds of nature can fade into the background, and I’m not distracted by a bunch of other people in the house.

As for music, it really depends on the project. I usually don’t write with music on, but sometimes the occasional song can inspire a scene or get me in the character’s mindset.

Jjspina: I agree, Marie. Sometimes outside noises, music voices can be distracting.

5. What would you do if you did not write?

I think I’d have to be near books in some capacity. I’m even building my own collection at home. So, I’ve always wondered about owning/running a bookstore, or at least working in one.

Jjspina: That is true book love. I feel it too!

6. Can you tell us a funny story about you and your life?

Sure! When I was a kid, I’d often go around telling everyone that I wanted to be a writer. One time my uncle asked me why, and once he replied, I knew that we weren’t on the same page. He thought I meant ‘rider’, like horseback rider. LOL! From that point on, I knew I’d need to revise my statement a bit. That’s when I started saying ‘author’ or ‘novelist’.

Jjspina: I can see how that could happen. Funny!

7. Do you love animals?

Oh, I adore them…really any kind, except for insects and snakes. Eww! ☹

I love all types of cats, and I have a thing for sloths. 

Not because sloths are slow or lazy or anything, but I know a lot about them. And in the rainforest, they are such agile, graceful creatures. When the forest floods, they can outrun the danger by swinging from limb to limb of all the trees around them. But if they don’t outrun the flooding, they are great swimmers, too. Probably many people think sloths are odd-looking, but I think they’re kind of cute.

Jjspina: I find sloths a little cute myself. I didn’t know they were great swimmers.

8. Favorite – flowers or trees?

Oh, why can’t I pick both? Flowers are so pretty! My favorite flower is a carnation, though I do have a soft spot for hot pink roses as well. 

As for trees, I definitely respect then. There’s so much history in a tree. Some have been around for hundreds of years! It bothers me when I see someone getting theirs torn down in my neighborhood. Plus, they provide natural shade and air conditioning. Geez, how can you really complain about a tree?

jjspina: You are so right, Marie. Trees are necessary for our lives. No complaint there.

Blurb – A LITTLE MAGICK

Little Rosie goes to stay with her uncle. There she meets some new friends…and some enemies. She doesn’t know that her emotions will trigger something unusual. So far from home, suddenly Rosie has become a full witch like her mother. For a time, it is great fun to use her powers the way she wants, but can Rosie figure out how to use these newfound powers for good or will she be lost to the dark side forever?

Universal Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/mg0eMv

Thank you so much, Marie, for stopping by today to share your children’s series. It looks like a magical and fun series. I wish you much success and many sales. Please feel free to come back again to share a new book in this series. It was a pleasure having you spend some time with my readers and me.

If you would like to be interviewed or do a guest post on my blog use my contact page or email me jjspina(at)comcast(dot)net. No zombies, horror or sexual explicit books are accepted.

Blessings & Hugs!

Janice