Interview with Mary Ann Poll

Novelist Mary Ann Poll is here today and we’re chatting about her latest supernatural thriller, Ravens Cove, 2^nd edition, An Iconoclast Thriller, The Supernatural Battle for a Small Alaska Town.

During her virtual book tour, Mary Ann will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Welcome, Mary Ann. Please share a little bit about yourself.

I’m Mary Ann Poll, America’s Lady of Supernatural Thrillers and charter member of Author Masterminds. The first question most people ask is, “What is an Iconoclast?” Iconoclast means, “The destroyer of religious beliefs or symbols.” I took this definition and applied it to the supernatural realm, which is how the Iconoclast Thriller series was born. My books revolve around the battle between good and evil. They also revolve around the heroic acts of ordinary people who must face extraordinary, even unbelievable, circumstances.

I draw from real-life experiences, as well as my imagination, to create these supernatural thrillers. My love for a creepy, goosebump-creating ghost story and my love for Christ come together in these books.

I am a proud pet lover, which is also reflected in my writing. In my off time, I enjoy gardening, swimming and spending time with beloved family.

I pray you enjoy reading Ravens Cove as much as I enjoyed writing it. Blessings in Christ!

Please share a little bit about your current release.

Ravens Cove was originally published in 2010. After nine years, and three additional books, my publisher and I decided to create a second edition. I am not the same writer as I was when I originally wrote the book. The second edition of Ravens Cove reflects my growth. It has new scenes and new characters. It was fun revisiting my first book. It was a bunch of work, too. The finished product is so much better than the first. It was worth the rewrite.

What inspired you to write this book?

I love a creepy, goosebump producing story. I am, and always have been, interested in the supernatural and the battle between good and evil. I wanted to write a story which brought the battle for human souls to life. So, the Iconoclast series was born.

Excerpt from Ravens Cove:

Josiah marched to the back of the church, lifting his hand, waving it back and forth to part the black mist covering the door.

It shot to one side before he walked through, a dark curtain blown by an invisible wind.

The dark mist, Atramentous by name, vibrated with hatred, then fear at what he saw. An angel of God stood beside this man.

“Uriel!”

The angel turned and nodded. “Atramentous.”

Atramentous bent his head to avoid the blinding light. After they passed, he raised his head, formed an invisible mouth, a deep red chasm where the black mist had been. A guttural, gurgling roar spewed out to sound the alarm, sending sleeping birds flying into the sky crying in terror.

What exciting story are you working on next?

My next book begins a new adventure for my readers and for me. The Iconoclast series, of which Ravens Cove is the first, ended with Book Four.

This new book is set in an abandoned theme park and introduces new characters and brings in some of the previous characters, too. It promises to be as creepy as my previous books.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I excelled at writing from a young age. Yet, I didn’t consider myself a writer. It wasn’t until I started taking novel writing classes to see myself as a writer. I truly considered myself a writer when I wrote the first edition of Ravens Cove.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

My writing career is full-time. I don’t write on my novel every day. I do market almost every day, which includes much writing. My days are filled with responding to marketing efforts, writing articles for a book club I’m involved in and developing characters for my new novel. Some of my days are filled with fun. I watch some TV, play some games, swim and garden.

When I’m writing a new novel, I spend every day writing – between 2,000 and 4,000 words a day. The first draft is usually complete within three weeks. This all happens after I’ve developed the characters and have a rough storyline.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I’d say it’s the way I put a book together. I am a ‘seat of the pants’ writer. I cannot tell you how a story is going to play out until the book is finished. I write from beginning to end and do not look back until it’s complete.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a physicist. Not because I enjoy science, but because I loved the word. Haha. As I grew, I wanted to go into music. I was in a band, wrote songs and have always enjoyed singing. Then reality hit me in the face. I had to make a living. So, I opted to go into a career in administration.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Moving to Alaska in 1972 began an adventure and love for the location that will never leave me.  Coming home to Texas in 2014 is a dream fulfilled. Unfortunately, events didn’t allow us to move home before my father passed away in 2011, who I still grieve. I am blessed to be with my sisters, brother, nieces and nephews. I am an avid animal lover. Presently we have two dogs and two cats. My books always have an animal—dog, cat, wolf—in them. These characters show the loyalty, antics and intuition of our fur pals. I relax by spending time gardening, swimming, reading and playing PC games.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Author Masterminds | Buy link

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