#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Marilyn Levinson (Allison Brook)
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I’d like to welcome Marilyn Levinson/Allison Brook to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday. I am having so much fun reading her Haunted Library series.
A few of your favorite things: my books—read and unread, chocolate bark, mystery series in any format, dining out, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, visiting other countries
Things you need to throw out: Clothing I haven't worn in three years, linens I no longer use, kitchen utensils I no longer use
Things you need for your writing sessions: My computer, of course; my movable bumpy footrest, good lighting, silence
Things that hamper your writing: The zing of an incoming email, noise.
Things you love about writing: Typing away when it flows; finishing the book; getting emails and messages that someone's just read one of my books and loved it, communicating with my fellow writers and with readers.
Things you hate about writing: When the words don't flow
Hardest thing about being a writer: Your work is never done—there's always another book, more promotion to work on
Easiest thing about being a writer: Your workplace is in your home. Your world involving your Work In Progress; communicating with readers and other writers; your agent and publisher; and information and research are all at your fingertips.
Things you never want to run out of: ideas, books, British mystery shows, book contracts
Things you wish you’d never bought: a George Foreman rotisserie, a very large and complicated Cuisinart Food Processor
Favorite foods: pasta, Indian food, ice cream, honeyed nuts, cheese
Things that make you want to gag: drinking milk
Favorite beverage: white wine
Something that gives you a sour face: lemonade without sugar
Something you’re really good at: knitting, Sudoku, teaching
Something you’re really bad at: using crutches, adding things to my website
Things you always put in your books: relationships, secrets
Things you never put in your books: erotica, death of a child
Favorite places you’ve been: South of France, Machu Picchu, Paris, England
Places you never want to go to again: some small islands in the Caribbean
Favorite books (or genre): mysteries, good literature
Books you wouldn’t buy: erotica,
Things that make you happy: Seeing my grandchildren, getting good reviews, watching a good movie
Things that drive you crazy: parents who let their children run wild in public; unnecessary horn blowing
About Marilyn:
"I was a bookworm from the moment I learned how to read. I devoured Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and Trixie Beldons – sometimes two books in one day. Was it any wonder I ended up writing mysteries?
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I dreamed of becoming a ballerina or a writer. I practiced my pirouettes and penned short stories. My family moved to Long Island, where I continued to write stories until I was discouraged by a high school English teacher. Turned off to writing, I continued to read voraciously in college and concentrated on my major, Spanish. I studied in Mexico and Spain, intent on becoming fluent in the language. I taught high school Spanish, married my dentist husband, and we started a family. When our two sons were small, I found myself drawn back to writing fiction.
A writer is a writer forever. We may have more than our share of disappointments, but the rewards are many – knowing you bring joy to readers; sharing the camaraderie and support of your fellow scribes. Writing is a way of life, one I wouldn’t relinquish for anything."
Let’s Be Social:
Help Marilyn celebrate her new book at her Facebook Party on September 10 from 7-10 PM EDT.
