Life
5 Questions with Author Madeline Martin
What role did books play in your early life?
They were my best friends. My father was military, so we moved around a lot. While it was an amazing childhood that afforded me some incredible worldwide travel I wouldn’t
otherwise have, it could get kind of lonely always being the new girl. Throw in some serious dental issues in high school and an unfortunate pair of mid-90’s massive glasses – well…let’s just say I wasn’t exactly popular. LOL
But books were always there. I could always find someone in a story who I could relate to, whose dreams and sorrows could be so easily tied in with mine, who knew what it was like to be me. And when I needed them to, books took me away somewhere else and gave me a reprieve from having to think about being in a new place where I had to remake friends again.
My oldest daughter has become an avid reader (like the kind who runs into walls because there’s a book in her face) and watching the love unfold through her eyes is so magical.
Does the writing get easier with each book? Or does it get more difficult because you’re also growing as an author with each work?
It gets easier for me. First of all, I’m getting better and better at adjusting my time and
finding what writing methods work for me (writing sprints, all the way).
I think after so many books written, a certain level of confidence follows. This is a fickle thing, mind you, which can easily collapse in a fit of self-doubt and castigation at a moment’s notice. I think all authors go through this. (FYI – leaving a positive review for a book you enjoyed is one of the best ways to tell someone you liked their book – and helps them through these bad days).
I think with historical romance, the research also becomes easier and the knowledge base if greater, requiring less research.
How can an aspiring author get better at writing?
First of all, everyone can always get better at writing. No one is perfect (or there wouldn’t be editors).
The most important thing is to never stop learning. Be passionate in your endeavor to learn your craft. Take classes (Margie Lawson is one of my personal favorite instructors and has classes available online), attend conferences and local writer meetings through RWA, network with other authors and don’t be afraid to reach out to them if you have questions.
And be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day and nor was a solid book written. I think for me, it took about five years to really learn what I felt to be the core foundation of writing, but everyone has their own path and the length they’ve walked it.
Just know – all the time and effort will pay off.
Do you think that networking with other writers and authors is also important?
It absolutely is. When I was new to writing, I had a lot of authors really take me under their wing. They explained all the things I had no idea about (POV what???), later when I was in the process of working on my first edits with my publisher, they were great for answering questions Google couldn’t really point me to. And when my first book came out (and really all the subsequent ones as well), the level of support and sharing my book release information with their readers has been amazing.
Later on, fellow authors are great for doing cross promotion with. I think the most important part though is the camaraderie. Someone who knows what it’s like to have people in their heads, who knows how soul-sucking awful it is to get a rejection, how glorious a feeling writing ‘The End’ truly can be, and how releasing a book is both euphoric and chaotic all at once.
Networking gives you the most incredible friends who just get it.
What do you think every writer should know about character development?
Absolutely – and I say this as a plot-driven writer. I’ve worked 
hard to strengthen my character development side and am grateful for all the instructors who helped get character development through my skull. LOL
The reason we read books is because of the characters we latch onto and love. If that character starts off without a flaw, the book isn’t interesting. If the character doesn’t grow, the book is unsatisfying.
Characters are the part of the book that curl around our hearts and bring a sense of connectivity that is so vitally important.
About the Author
Madeline Martin lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her two daughters (AKA Oldest Minion and Youngest Minion). All shenanigans are detailed regularly on Twitter and on Facebook.
Her hobbies include rock climbing, running, doing crazy races (like Mud Runs and Color Runs) and just about anything exciting she can do without getting nauseous. She’s also a history fan after having lived in Europe for over a decade, and enjoys traveling overseas whenever she can. Her favorite place to visit thus far: Scotland.
Social Media
| Website: | http://www.madelinemartin.com |
| Twitter: | https://twitter.com/MadelineMMartin |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/MadelineMartinAuthor/ |
| Other Social Media | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12062937.Madeline_Martin |
We Would Love Your Positive Feedback
Interview with the Reader #1
Celeste Williams
Favorite Read: The Bible
What role did books play in your early life?
In my early life, books, like Sweet Valley High, or Goose Bumps were key. As these books allowed me and my peers to have discussions.
Do you think that networking with other readers is also important?
I believe networking with other authors is important, because as a reader, an endorsement from my favorite authors have allowed me to give newer to me authors a chance.
How important is a book’s cover to overall marketing of a book?
I majored in marketing, therefore, for product placement and distribution it is important, as it draws readers. It also lets you develop your first thoughts of what you believe the book would be about.
If you had a chance to address a room full of authors, what would you want them to know?
I would want them to know that I appreciate their creativity and that it is important to stay true to their voice. They do not have to write in every genre, but if they are going to stretch themselves into different genres, to research and ensure the formula works.
Why do you read?
I read as a creative outlet. It gives me a way in which to visualize and conceptualized characters. I often compartmentalized books where I say, this one is made for television, and this book would work best on the big screen.
About Celeste:
Bio (brief): Native Chicagoan, currently living outside of Austin, TX. I am the daughter of Irene & Joseph. I am the sister to 10 siblings (6 brothers/4 sisters). Host of nieces/nephews (last count 30), and the godmother to 1. I am an avid reader. Growing up, when I read, I would always start from the back, and if the ending did not work I would not read the book. It was my Sorority Sister Karen Fletcher, who convinced me to start reading books from the beginning, when she gave me Francis Ray’s “Somebody’s Knocking on My Door” in 2008. It was then, where I decided since I was going to read for pleasure that I needed to read the books from beginning to end.
http://facebook.com/ChangingFaces2
Positive comments to Celeste:
Next Line Please?
I am curious on the different ways she may have “broken him.”
I am even more curious on what YOU think she may have done.
However, wouldn’t it be a helluva lot more fun if it were a man who said this line?
I left a comment section for you. Let’s have some fun.
Enjoying the Beautiful
I, like a jackass, went back on Facebook today only to find the first item in my news feed are that police officers have been gunned down in Baton Rouge. This shooting is in retaliation for the young man killed on July 5, at the hands of Baton Rouge police officers.
I am a writer.
I have an audience.
I have a voice that is heard.
This is ugly.
This is an ugly time in our country as we experience a very different and difficult growing pain. It is not going away because we updated our social media posting. It is not going away with one phone call to our Senators. It. Is. Not. Going. Away.
I want to show you something beautiful. I am not showing you this to throw the rock and hide my hand, but to show you that there is someting out there so pure and beautiful, that it is magical. Please, watch this clip and enjoy the beautiful. Don’t worry, the ugly will still be there when you finish, but for just two minutes, look and see this story in movement.
At some point, we all have to stand in the light, and be seen as we are. Don’t cave into the ugly commentary.
Be good to each other.
Olivia Gaines Author 
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