MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR MARCEE CORN

 

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

My name is Marcee Corn. I am a multi genre writer. I love to write thriller/suspense and literary fiction. So far, I have had one Christian inspiration (memoir) published and one thriller/suspense/literary fiction novel published. My third book is also a suspense/psychological thriller novel.

 

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

My most recent published book is called ALWAYS THADDEUS published by Archway Publishing. It is a thriller/suspense/literary fiction. I have just completed the sequel, ALWAYS THADDEUS: THE RESURRECTION. Archway Publishing will publish it this summer.

ALWAYS THADDEUS is the story of three individuals eagerly pursuing their own version of hope. They arrive on the island of Owl’s Nest, Maine believing they will find hope through the others, only to learn that they must find it alone.

All three characters come back in Book 2 as well as many new characters that join them.

 

How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (historical novels, mysteries, sci-fi, children’s books, etc.)? 

I have always loved to tell stories, all genres of stories. I am a teacher by profession and for years I told stories to my students (ages 5-13), having no idea where the story was going until it came out of my mouth. Usually I featured the children in my class as characters in the tale. They loved that of course!

Shortly before I retired from teaching middle school, my mother died of Alzheimer’s disease. My sister and I decided to write her story together. It took us six years to write UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE. Our debut novel chronicled our mother’s journey through Alzheimer’s disease. Two years ago, my thriller, ALWAYS THADDEUS was published.

I love the process of writing a story, no matter the genre, and so began my love affair with the written word.

 

What kind of research did you do for your first book?

My debut novel, UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE, is set mostly in an assisted living facility, the facility where my mother lived. It is also set in our mother’s hometown in New Hampshire.

I frequented the assisted living facility several times a week where my mother lived for the last two years of her life. Every evening after I returned home from visiting mom, I would email my sister (co-author). I would tell her my thoughts and feelings while I was there with Mom.  Many times I told her of funny instances that happened and wrote detailed descriptions of the other residents, nurses, caregivers, and the facility. My sister kept all my emails… hundreds of them. After my mother passed away, she pulled out the file with all my emails and together we decided to write UNCLAIMED BAGGAGE.

Before Mom got too ill, my sister took her on a trip to the town she grew up in.  My sister took lots of photos of many of the places that we talk about in the book.

 

What kind of research did you do for your latest book?

Since ALWAYS THADDEUS takes place on an island off the coast of Maine, I did research about the weather, living conditions in winter, local cuisine, etc. Then my husband and I took a week-long trip driving up the coast of Maine noting the details of the coastline, seaside towns, buildings, people, and general attitudes of the “Mainers”. I am also very familiar with Maine as I spent many summers vacationing there as a child.

 

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

I live in a log cabin in the mountains of North Carolina with my husband. We have a lovely covered porch that overlooks a mountain/ski resort. I love to sit on the porch in the summer and fall and write there while looking at the gorgeous scenery around me.

In the winter, we cannot use the porch, due to the cold weather, so I write at my desk up in the loft of the cabin. My husband built the desk for me out of wormy chestnut. My husband and I both have office space up there.

I also enjoy sitting by the fireplace during the cold winter months with my laptop and write.

I am not able to write everyday because I own my own business: an antique shop.  But I carve out time in the early morning and on days that the shop is closed.

Writing space on my porch.

 

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

My newest book is the sequel to ALWAYS THADDEUS. It is called ALWAYS THADDEUS: THE RESURRECTION. I am proud to say, my husband, R. L. Corn is co-author on this one. He and I have had a fabulous time writing this book together. It should be released this summer (2019).

 

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names?

Let’s see…I know this may sound strange but as I introduce the characters in a story and their personality is developing, they usually tell me what their name is. Their name will just suddenly pop into my mind and when it does, I go with it. And then once I know the characters, they dictate to me where they want the story to go. I know it is weird, but it happens.

 

Where do your ideas come from?

I love description. Many of my descriptions of the scenes and characters in my books come from my observations of life, nature and the people around me.

I study everything around me…the sights, sounds, smells etc. and I jot them down in my journal. While sitting in an airport waiting for a flight, I spend my time watching people; observing their movement, interactions and comings and goings. If waiting for my coffee at an outdoor cafe, I spend my time describing the smells, the buildings, the sidewalk, and the sounds around me. These observations become parts of my stories.

 

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

I would say that the hardest part of writing for me is the fact that I have no idea where my story is going (what the end is). I have a character in mind that I want to write about and I begin the story with that character in mind. That character meets other characters and a story of their interactions unfolds.

 

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

My best accomplishment has nothing to do with story writing. My best accomplishment has to do with real life. My biggest and best accomplishments are my children and their families.

 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

I love sharing my stories with others. I love to talk to book clubs and do ‘author meet and greet’ sessions. And I especially love to answer questions about my books and the characters. I am a people person so I enjoy meeting my readers. To me, that is the joy of being an author. I have been lucky to have many book signings and author talks over the last six years.

     

 

 

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I will write until the day I die. I would hope that in ten years I will have written several more books and in a variety of genres. I love to write. I have to write. I have no choice.

 

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

I have said this over and over to young writers… “Just write. Write about anything… but write. There will be days when the words don’t flow well, but don’t give up. Then there will be those wonderful days when you know your writing is good, really good. And those are the days that keep you writing again and again.”

 

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

I love antiques and people. I have an antique store and I share my time with my love of writing and my love of ‘old’ things. I am doing exactly what I love. By the way, I do sell my books in my store.

 

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

 

Yes, I do read all my reviews. I can learn from the bad reviews, if they contain constructive criticism.  Of course, I adore the great reviews.

 

What are you working on now?

I have just finished Book 2, ALWAYS THADDEUS: THE RESURRECTION

Archway Publishing will publish it this summer (2019)

 

 

Can you give us a few tasty morsels from your work-in-progress?

Quotes from ALWAYS THADDEUS: THE RESURRECTION (to be published summer, 2019)

“Still holding the rose with her thumb and index finger, she raises the finger of her left hand and presses it ever so lightly on the ugly thorn of the breathtaking rose. She feels discomfort; she likes the familiar feeling. 

Beth pushes harder. Urgency takes over . . . her heart begins to race as her cheeks flush. Beth smiles as she feels the first pangs of pain. She harnesses the aching as she, in turn, relishes the beauty and the pleasing scent of the lovely flower. Beauty and pain had to be equally adored. 

She does not pull the thorn out immediately for pain must always be hidden deep inside, in the dark corners and recesses of her heart, exactly like the ugly thorn that is impaled in her finger. 

In her mind, she is fully committed to her truth that all beauty brings with it grief and pain. She stares at the rose as if a lover. Her desire for the beauty there as well as its accompanying pain moves deep inside her.”

                                                                   ………  

“While political corruption was not uncommon in the news, it was a story that always had traction and a story that had made more than one career over the years. Ever since Brutus had nudged Caesar out of public office, the citizens were interested.”

                                                                    ………

“Andrew’s pulse was racing and he knew that the next few minutes would redefine the remainder of his stay here in the penitentiary. He also knew that if he were not successful in his attack, it would probably cost him his life.”

 

Why did you choose to write in your genre? If you write in more than one, how do you balance them?

I have written in several genres. I like variety. I even wrote a horror short story called, RAVEN. It was published in a literary online magazine after it won the most votes in a contest. I enjoyed writing it even though it scared me! Writing in different genres keeps me focused, entertained and is simply fun! At this point in my writing career, writing thrillers and literary fiction are my favorites.

 

Where did your love of books come from?

I became interested in the written word while in high school reading poetry in English class. I tried my hand at poetry and that didn’t work out for me. E. E. Cummings was my favorite author and his writings got me interested in books.

 

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

Beth Morgan is my favorite character so far. She is one of the main characters in ALWAYS THADDEUS. She was really fun to write. She is an extremely complex woman. She is strong, but has many issues due to her childhood. She fights for what she wants and needs but gets confused as to what reality is. She is stunning on the outside but because of her circumstances ends up being quite the monster on the inside.

 

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I love book trailers. I have an excellent one for ALWAYS THADDEUS. I am lucky to be a member of a very talented family. Not only are there several writers in our family, but alsoactors, filmmakers, musicians and artists. My niece and her husband created the trailer for ALWAYS THADDEUS, with my son composing the music. They did an excellent job portraying the story, the feeling and the mystery behind ALWAYS THADDEUS.

  

 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Writing totally energizes me. Time passes at the speed of light when I’m engaged in my story.                                                          

 

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I have many wonderful author friends. I have several that have become my mentors. They give me sound advice because of their past experiences. They are honest and don’t hold back when answering questions I have about my work. I believe it is very necessary for a writer to find a few excellent writers that they can relate to and trust and confide in.

 

Where can your fans find you and follow??

Marcee Corn website:  http://www.marceecornauthor.com

Archway Publishers Bookstore: https://www.archwaypublishing.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?Book=756918

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marcee-Corn/e/B00HOGEP54?ref=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1480848255/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0   

Facebook Author Page: http://www.facebook.com/marceecornauthor

Facebook Personal Page:  http://www.facebook.com/marceecorn

Facebook Page- The Twisted Twig Antiques: http://www.facebook.com/thetwistedtwigantiques

Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️

Thank you so much for interviewing me. I appreciate it.

Marcee Corn