Mary Ann Bernal – Author Spotlight #28

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It’s Wednesday, which can only mean it’s author interview time again, so this week I am shining the Author Spotlight on – Mary Ann Bernal!

What inspired you to write your first book?

Mary Ann Bernal
Mary Ann Bernal
My Erik the Viking character was born after having seen the period Hollywood blockbusters, such as The Vikings, Ivanhoe, Knights of the Roundtable, The Longships, just to name a few.

Do you have a specific writing style, Mary Ann?
Writing concise and clear sentences in third person in past tense.  One of my published short stories was written in first person, and while it worked for the story, it is not my personal preference.

Describe a typical writing session or your typical writing area

After having tried different times of the day to set pen to paper, or rather keyboard strokes on a Word document, writing in the afternoon works best for my schedule.  I have an electric typewriting table that allows me to adjust the height easily.  Having the flexibility  permits me to stand when sitting too long affects one’s back and neck.

So Mary Ann, what are your current projects?

The Briton and the Dane: Timeline, a stand-alone novel of The Briton and the Dane trilogy, will be published in 2014.  While my genre is historical fiction, this story has a different twist – time travel.  There is plenty of action and adventure, with a dash of romance, and a powerful ending.

What books have most influenced your life most?

Ivanhoe, which was romanticized on the big screen, and being an impressible teenager…  I love being an incurable romantic – there is hope for the human race.  Need I say more?

If you had to choose, Mary Ann, which writer would you consider a mentor?

Sir Walter Scott – his works are still in vogue today – a wonderful legacy to emulate.

Who is your favourite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

Steven Saylor – his novels immerse the reader into another time period and his characters are powerful and interesting.

What book are you reading now?

Charlemagne by Derek Wilson

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest, Mary Ann?

Indie author, Mark Barry, has published well written contemporary fiction, my favorite novels being Hollywood Shakedown and Carla.  Elisabeth Marrion has published The Night I Danced with Rommel, which is based on a true story – the heroine is her mother.  Ngaire Elder’s The Adventures of Cecilia Spark is a wonderful children’s book author whose works are also enjoyable for adults.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

There is nothing I would change – I love the story the way it is written.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

To stay with the original story.  The Briton and the Dane started out as Gwyneth and Erik’s story, but suddenly, the minor characters started to demand more air time, and I capitulated, giving birth to the trilogy.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Keeping an accurate map of the locations of every character roaming about not only Britannia, but the European continent as well.

Mary Ann, do you have any general advice for other writers?

Never give up on the dream God has put in your heart.

Do you write an outline before every book you write?

For my first title, I wrote an outline that quickly went into the circular file, because the chapters changed during the writing process.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Read Indie authors – there are quite a number of talented people in this up and coming group.

Mary Ann and Her Latest Novel – ‘The Briton and the Dane: Concordia’

My thanks to Mary Ann Bernal for agreeing to be interviewed. If you’d like to find out more information on Mary Ann, you can check out her website at:
www.maryannbernal.com
Mary Ann’s latest novel, entitled ‘The Briton and the Dane: Concordia’ is available now on Amazon – just click on the links below! You can also read more information on ‘The Briton and the Dane: Concordia’ and her thoughts behind it, by checking out my Share Saturday post here - from Saturday onwards.
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk