I'm delighted to welcome Rebecca Marsh onto the website today. Rebecca hails from North Carolina and has penned three emotional, heartrending novels that tackle some dark areas of humanity that are by no means easy subjects to write about.
Alex: Rebecca. First of all congratulations. You are our first guest writer from the US to appear on this website. And I'm sure you'll be the first of many. So tell us a bit about yourself.
Rebecca: Well, thank you Aex. It's great to be here.
I grew up in Western North Carolina, the youngest of four children. I first began writing when I was twelve, but didn't begin my first novel until I was 29. I was the mother of a busy three-year-old when I began, so it was slow going. I didn't publish that book until two years ago, but I already had the second one written at that time and a third started, which allowed me to get those out to readers much quicker. Other than writing, I enjoy time with my family, reading, and watching movies.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Rebecca: I write dramatic, contemporary fiction. So far, they are all, in some way, stories of hope and healing... emotional with uplifting endings.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Rebecca: I plan out a sketchy outline in my head and figure the rest out as I go.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Rebecca: My most recent novel is Where Hope is Found. It is an emotional, family drama about love, loss, and healing. Here's the blurb:
One tiny moment in time can shatter your whole world.
A family beach vacation turns to tragedy and Marissa must find a way for her and her traumatized eight-year-old daughter, Maisy, to move forward and heal. But memories of what she lost surround her, threatening to take her to a dark place; a place she can never go again.
When her brother extends an invitation for her and Maisy to move in with him on Princess Island, Marissa thinks it might just be the fresh start she needs. But can she really find hope and healing on an island surrounded by the same ocean that broke her heart?
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Rebecca: I honestly don't remember.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Rebecca: It varies book to book. With my first book (When the Storm Ends, which is a psychological drama with a murder mystery angle), the research was mostly legal information. With my second (The Rift Between Us, a sisterly drama), the research was mostly medical information since one of my characters had a degenerative condition. With my latest book (Where Hope is Found, a family drama about love, loss, and healing), the research was also more medical than anything else, but I did get some guidance about first responder procedure as well. The book I'm working on (yet to be titled) has mostly required research into foster care and what happens in an abandonment case when the birth parent resurfaces. So far, I've been fortunate enough to find people knowledgeable in these areas who could help me and answer questions.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Rebecca: No, but I'm sure characteristics of people I know come out in some of my characters.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Rebecca: That's a tough question. There are so many great books! I think one that stood out for me for a while was The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Rebecca: I admire every author who has stepped out and given their work to the world not knowing how it would be received.
Alex: That's the first time one of our authors has evaded the question. But it's a great answer, Rebecca. Thank you for taking time to take part in this interview, and good luck with your latest novel.
Rebecca: It's my pleasure. And thank you so much Alex for inviting me here.
Alex: Rebecca. First of all congratulations. You are our first guest writer from the US to appear on this website. And I'm sure you'll be the first of many. So tell us a bit about yourself.
Rebecca: Well, thank you Aex. It's great to be here.
I grew up in Western North Carolina, the youngest of four children. I first began writing when I was twelve, but didn't begin my first novel until I was 29. I was the mother of a busy three-year-old when I began, so it was slow going. I didn't publish that book until two years ago, but I already had the second one written at that time and a third started, which allowed me to get those out to readers much quicker. Other than writing, I enjoy time with my family, reading, and watching movies.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Rebecca: I write dramatic, contemporary fiction. So far, they are all, in some way, stories of hope and healing... emotional with uplifting endings.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Rebecca: I plan out a sketchy outline in my head and figure the rest out as I go.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Rebecca: My most recent novel is Where Hope is Found. It is an emotional, family drama about love, loss, and healing. Here's the blurb:
One tiny moment in time can shatter your whole world.
A family beach vacation turns to tragedy and Marissa must find a way for her and her traumatized eight-year-old daughter, Maisy, to move forward and heal. But memories of what she lost surround her, threatening to take her to a dark place; a place she can never go again.
When her brother extends an invitation for her and Maisy to move in with him on Princess Island, Marissa thinks it might just be the fresh start she needs. But can she really find hope and healing on an island surrounded by the same ocean that broke her heart?
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Rebecca: I honestly don't remember.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Rebecca: It varies book to book. With my first book (When the Storm Ends, which is a psychological drama with a murder mystery angle), the research was mostly legal information. With my second (The Rift Between Us, a sisterly drama), the research was mostly medical information since one of my characters had a degenerative condition. With my latest book (Where Hope is Found, a family drama about love, loss, and healing), the research was also more medical than anything else, but I did get some guidance about first responder procedure as well. The book I'm working on (yet to be titled) has mostly required research into foster care and what happens in an abandonment case when the birth parent resurfaces. So far, I've been fortunate enough to find people knowledgeable in these areas who could help me and answer questions.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Rebecca: No, but I'm sure characteristics of people I know come out in some of my characters.
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Rebecca: That's a tough question. There are so many great books! I think one that stood out for me for a while was The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Rebecca: I admire every author who has stepped out and given their work to the world not knowing how it would be received.
Alex: That's the first time one of our authors has evaded the question. But it's a great answer, Rebecca. Thank you for taking time to take part in this interview, and good luck with your latest novel.
Rebecca: It's my pleasure. And thank you so much Alex for inviting me here.
