"...everything in life is writable...if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."..... Sylvia Plath

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Author MaryLynn Bast talks about How Reading Influenced her Writing

    I met MaryLynn on a writer’s site when she was still ensconced in getting her book published, then unpublished, then published again. I was attracted to her energy, genuine kindness and detemination to make things right. I don’t think I’ve met another writer who works harder on her craft, or has more stick-to-itive-ness when it comes to attaining her goals. 
     When she announced the release of her first novel, No Remorse,  I was anxious to have her write a post for my blog and was delighted when she agreed to let us in on how she became a writer. In her post below, Bast talks to us about her love of reading and how it has influenced her desire to write. Her novel, No Remorse, is slated to be part of the paranormal fantasy series titled: Heart of a Wolf.  A romance and  paranormal fantasy writer, she is busy at work on the next two books in the series.

How Reading Influenced My Writing
by MaryLynn Bast

 Reading has always been a pleasure for me. As far back as I can remember I had my nose stuck in a book. I could escape into the fantasy world and forget the struggles of life at home. I would inhale books, sometimes reading a novel a day after school. I would hide under my covers, hiding the light so my mother wouldn’t catch me reading. As I got older and understood the stories more and more, my mind would wrap around what was happening. I would take the story line in a whole different direction wondering what if they did this or that instead. So one day I sat down and started writing my own stories and I loved it. My family tells me writing is in my blood, that Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) is my fifth great uncle. I can’t completely confirm what this, but if it’s true, then Whoohoo!  

     I do have a passion for writing and find that it is a creative outlet that has never left me. I set it aside for years while I took care of my family and worked. I didn’t allow the stories to flow and I realize now that I always felt that something was missing. I was lost without my stories. I am now at a point in my life to where my kids are grown and I am waiting for my next contract to begin to go back to work. So I have lots of free time. The stories are flowing and I am enjoying the creativity. Sleep, who needs it!?

     Writing fiction comes easily for me. I allow my mind to float off into whatever direction it wants to go and the stories take shape. I always thought of myself as a romance writer, and I guess in my younger day that was true. But now, I am more into the fantasy, paranormal, sci-fi, action, suspense and mystery genres with a little bit of romance mixed in. Even did an erotica the other day at a publisher’s request, I’m waiting for his reaction to that. So I guess I’m not really stuck in one specific genre. One day I will figure out my niche and belt out the stories. But for now, I’m allowing my mind to take my pen, or should I say keystrokes, where ever they want to go.  
 
  About emerging author Mary Lynn Bast's new novel
 





      Due to her unusual birth, Amber has abilities no other werewolf has ever possessed. On the run since childhood, the lone wolf avoids contact with other werewolves at all cost, continually moving, constantly looking over her shoulder and always alone.  
     Everything changes when Amber saves a werewolf from the mere brink of death, Blake, the only werewolf to ever protect her. Love blossoms, but not without tribulations when Amber realizes she must help her new pack rescue a member who is being held hostage by a rival pack.
     Warring with emotions of going from lone wolf to the pack leader’s mate, Amber must decide if she is willing to risk Blake’s life to know true family and friendship despite the fact that the Council is hell bent on locating her and will stop at nothing until she is found. Will Amber’s special abilities be enough to keep everyone safe?
 
MaryLynn Bast
Heart Of A Wolf series, #1
Werewolf Tails Publishing
Amazon




if you enjoyed this post, feel free to leave a comment

31 comments:

  1. Nancy,
    Thank you so much for having me and helping out with the blog tour. This has all been so much fun and a big learning experience.

    I look forward to hearing comments and answering questions if you have any.
    MaryLynn

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    1. MaryLnne, You've done an awesome job on your blog tour. I think you've generated a lot of interest in your book. I had hoped to start it myself last week, but my BnB has been so busy, I didn't get a chance to until yesterday. I'm a pretty slow reader, so I'm only on Chapter 4. There sure is a lot going on. Good job. So happy to have you touring my site. Hope the Amazon sales are going well.

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    2. Thank Nancy,
      Things are going pretty well on Amazon. There are good days and slow ones, but all are good. :)

      It's good to know your BnB is keeping you busy, that means a thriving business, whoo hoo!

      I am in week 4 of the blog tour with one more to go and I am tired, but happy. I am enjoying connecting with all the new people. Thank you again for having me on your site.

      MaryLynn

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  2. This is an awesome story !! I can't wait till the next one. Keep up the good work, MaryLynn Bast. You've got a loyal fan here !!!

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  4. Hi Mary, I totally agree with you. I'm sure MaryLnne will be happy to hear you are a loyal fan. I'm sure the next book in her series will be just as awesome.

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  5. Great post! Reading definitely influences my writing. I've loved both since a very early age.

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    1. Thanks, Kelly, for commenting. Glad you liked the post.

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  6. Great cover! And Great interview, Nancy.
    MaryLynn, I'd be interested to hear what you are doing to promote the book (I'm headed into that phase myself). Thank you both for sharing.

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  7. Thanks, Teresa for your kind words. I think MaryLynn's blog Tour has been a valuable promotion tool. I know she's doing a lot to promote her book.

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  8. Sorry....I deleted a comment for this post from Brenda, by mistake. So I copied it from my email and posted it here:

    brenda has left a new comment on your post "Author MaryLynn Bast talks about How Reading Influ...":

    Great interview, Nancy. And ML, reading is a pleasure we all take for granted. I has healing powers, inspires creativity, gives birth to new writers. Best of luck to you on your journey.

    Posted by brenda to A memorable time of my life at April 25, 2012 12:34 PM

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  10. Brenda, Thanks for the nice comment. So sorry your smiling face isn't on your post...but I goofed. on Author MaryLynn Bast talks about How Reading Influenced her Writing

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  11. Great guest post, MaryLynn! You are truly a talented author all the way around :)

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    1. Hi Molly, I know MaryLynn will be glad you stopped by and I'm sure she'll appreciate your supportive compliment.

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  12. Teresa,
    Thank you. To promote No Remorse I am flooding Facebook, Twitter Goodreads and any other site I can think of doing promotional giveaways for driving traffic to the blog tour. I think Facebook has been the most helpful so far in gaining more attention. I have had several people contact me through the instant message to ask for more information on purchasing No Remorse.

    Good luck with your book promotion. If you need assistance in setting up a blog tour, I am now a Blog Tour Host. I can be reached at mbast06@yahoo.com if you want to chat and on FB http://www.facebook.com/MaryLynnBast.

    MaryLynn Bast

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    1. MaryLynn you sound like me! I can so identify with hiding under the covers to read! I find that since I've got my Kindle I'm reading even more! Great post!

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    2. I think a lot of us did that little trick...LOL. So glad you stopped by in support of MaryLynn. Thanks, Cindy.

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  13. This is an amazing break from traditional takes on the question of werewolf behavior. Kudos on originality, MaryBeth. I'm seriously impressed and wish you all the very best in this new series. I'll keep my eye out for it, for certain.

    Great profile, too. Thank you, Nancy for showcasing this lovely lady for all of us.

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    1. Thank you very much Claudette. I wanted the story to break away from the traditional and I hope I was able to accomplish that. I am looking forward to completing book two in the series by the end of the year. Look forward to hearing from you again.
      M

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  15. What a great post-- I've always loved to read too from the time I was small. I'd read anything I could get hold of, which is why I think I still love to read so many genres. I will admit though that I LOVE paranormal romance--especially shifter stories:)

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  16. Hi Brenda, So glad you enjoyed the post. Seems as though most writers love to read too...and started at a young age. Makes sense, cause theres a natural connection between reading and writing.

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  17. Love the trailer so very cool!! Isaac looks creepy @_@
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  18. Thanks for the comment, Sarah. Yeah, Isaac is one creepy guy. LOL

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  19. Great post and I really liked the trailer :)

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

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  20. @Krysykat: Thanks for the supportive comment...glad you liked the trailer.

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  21. This is so important for me to read: "I set it aside for years while I took care of my family and worked." Thanks for the reminder that everything does not happen all at once.

    Nancy, thank you so much for stopping at my blog, the comment, and for listing V's Place in your blogroll. I will surely reciprocate!

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  22. Victoria, I am so glad you stopped by my blog. I loved visiting yours and was so impressed with your creativity. It's nice that you could pick up on something specific in MaryLynn's post. Hope to get to know you better in the "crafting" group on She Writes.

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  23. MaryLynn, Great Job! I've been missing a few months while I finished the last steps in formatting my memoir for self-publishing. Aiming for July 4th release, only time will tell.

    Loved your interview with Nancy! I too spent years under the covers with my cat and a flashlight reading into the wee hours to escape reality. And I LOVE your trailer! Very compelling! I'd love to know who did it, or how it came about. Great job and much success. :) Nancy MacMillan @ blogofavetswife.blogspot.com

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