Mary as I call her, was one of the first bloggers I visited daily. I enjoyed reading about her writing life and her family. She kept me smiling when I needed a smile. She gave me a laugh when I needed to laugh. Her blogs encouraged me to try the blogging.It’s been wonderful watching Marilyn grow as a writer and enjoying her books. I’m so proud of her work and how she’s touched other readers and writers.
SORMAG talks to Marilynn Griffith about her latest book release, Mom's The Word.
Marilynn Griffith is the author of eight novels, mother to seven children, wife to a deacon and proof of God’s enduring mercy. One of her novels, If the Shoe Fits, served as a prop in Tyler Perry’s box office hit Why Did I Get Married? She has served as national Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers and has served on faculty at several national writers conferences. When she’s not writing about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn blogs and speaks to women and writers.
Tell us about Mom's the Word.
I love writing about relationships. In this book, I wanted to explore friendship and motherhood and how they affect each other. Here's a short blurb for the book, but as always, there's more to it than this:
Birkenstock vs. Manolo? When a burned out mom and trying-to-conceive diva become neighbors, both wish for taller fences. Or at least some ear plugs. Can two very different women mend their fences for 21 days to get what they want? Or will three weeks change their lives forever?
How did you come up with ideas for this book?
A Christian mom's organization was launching a fiction line and was interested in having me submit something. Having seven children of my own, I've spent a good deal of my life being a mom and being with moms, so I was excited. I sat down to just make some notes, but two friends emerged under my fingers very quickly. They meant everything to each other, raised their kids together, lived next to each other, prayed together...until one of them moved away. And then someone who is directly opposite and has no kids moves in. They can't stand each other, but they need each other. That was all I knew at first, but I had to know what would happen.
Who are your main character(s)?
Karol Simons and her new neighbor Dyanne Thornton are the main characters but author Fallon Gray, Karol's son Ryan and both the husbands, Rob and Neal play big roles in the story.
Did you have a favorite character(s)? Who and why?
Ironically, one of the characters I had a lot of fun with wasn't very likable at first. Faith the Great, Karol's mother who refused to be called Grandma was someone I enjoyed watching change and grow throughout the story.
Did you have to do quite a bit of research for this novel?
This was my first book actually set in Tallahassee, Florida where I live, so the research and travel factor was low. The publishing factor was also something I had knowledge of, so no, I didn't have to do as much research as usual for this one.
Okay, a not-so-fun question. How important are reviews to you as a writer?
I'd love to say they don't matter, but they can be very encouraging or very hurtful. I've learned though that reviews are very subjective and that all I can do is write best book I can.
About the Book
When her tall, dark, delicious husband joins their three kids in calling her “Mom,” Karol Simons has an identity crisis. Sure she loves the pint-size trio, but what’s happened to her dreams of writing a novel? Determined to have it all, she turns to her neighbor for help.
Dyanne Thornton is thrilled to stand in as Mom for three weeks so Karol can write. Bursting with baby fever, the career-woman trades her glamorous clothes and four-inch heels for the playground and potty training. She hopes to convince her reluctant husband they should start a family of their own, right away.
Everyone’s in for some big surprises…
Order your copy of Mom's the Word from Amazon.com .
Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/MomsTheWord.
Visit Marilynn online at http://marilynngriffith.com/.
Marilynn Griffith is the author of eight novels, mother to seven children, wife to a deacon and proof of God’s enduring mercy. One of her novels, If the Shoe Fits, served as a prop in Tyler Perry’s box office hit Why Did I Get Married? She has served as national Vice President of American Christian Fiction Writers and has served on faculty at several national writers conferences. When she’s not writing about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn blogs and speaks to women and writers.
Tell us about Mom's the Word.
I love writing about relationships. In this book, I wanted to explore friendship and motherhood and how they affect each other. Here's a short blurb for the book, but as always, there's more to it than this:
Birkenstock vs. Manolo? When a burned out mom and trying-to-conceive diva become neighbors, both wish for taller fences. Or at least some ear plugs. Can two very different women mend their fences for 21 days to get what they want? Or will three weeks change their lives forever?
How did you come up with ideas for this book?
A Christian mom's organization was launching a fiction line and was interested in having me submit something. Having seven children of my own, I've spent a good deal of my life being a mom and being with moms, so I was excited. I sat down to just make some notes, but two friends emerged under my fingers very quickly. They meant everything to each other, raised their kids together, lived next to each other, prayed together...until one of them moved away. And then someone who is directly opposite and has no kids moves in. They can't stand each other, but they need each other. That was all I knew at first, but I had to know what would happen.
Who are your main character(s)?
Karol Simons and her new neighbor Dyanne Thornton are the main characters but author Fallon Gray, Karol's son Ryan and both the husbands, Rob and Neal play big roles in the story.
Did you have a favorite character(s)? Who and why?
Ironically, one of the characters I had a lot of fun with wasn't very likable at first. Faith the Great, Karol's mother who refused to be called Grandma was someone I enjoyed watching change and grow throughout the story.
Did you have to do quite a bit of research for this novel?
This was my first book actually set in Tallahassee, Florida where I live, so the research and travel factor was low. The publishing factor was also something I had knowledge of, so no, I didn't have to do as much research as usual for this one.
Okay, a not-so-fun question. How important are reviews to you as a writer?
I'd love to say they don't matter, but they can be very encouraging or very hurtful. I've learned though that reviews are very subjective and that all I can do is write best book I can.
About the Book
When her tall, dark, delicious husband joins their three kids in calling her “Mom,” Karol Simons has an identity crisis. Sure she loves the pint-size trio, but what’s happened to her dreams of writing a novel? Determined to have it all, she turns to her neighbor for help.
Dyanne Thornton is thrilled to stand in as Mom for three weeks so Karol can write. Bursting with baby fever, the career-woman trades her glamorous clothes and four-inch heels for the playground and potty training. She hopes to convince her reluctant husband they should start a family of their own, right away.
Everyone’s in for some big surprises…
Order your copy of Mom's the Word from Amazon.com .
Follow the blog tour at http://bit.ly/MomsTheWord.
Visit Marilynn online at http://marilynngriffith.com/.
Join Marilynn's social network at http://www.sistahfaith.ning.com/.
6 comments:
LaShaunda,
It's always a blessing to talk to you! Thank you so much for having me. You are an inspiration.
blessings,
mary
PS. Kiss the baby for me!
The more I read about this book, the more I can't wait to read it. Faith the Great sounds like a piece of work! LOL
As always, love working with you LaShaunda on these tours! You and Marilynn are both incredible blessings. Yes, indeed it has been amazing to watch Marilynn's journey over the years.
Marilynn, thanks again for letting others take a peak into your world this week.
So Marilynn - the other publisher didn't work out and you sold it to Steeple Hill? My inquiring mind wants to know.
Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by.
Ty, it's been something to watch both of YOU over the years. I remember sitting in my bedroom at my first writer's conference--the SORMAG online conference! On my breaks, I stared at your web designs, Ty. Wow...
Rhonda, you are exactly right. That line never launched but my editor at Steeple Hill (she's a dream) loved it! So God knows what He's doing, even when I have no idea, which is most of the time.
Great LaShaunda, you rock. Love your blog and Marilynn rocks. She was on the Chocolate Pages show last week. How does she do it all? 7 kids? It's gotta be God. *Her next book?
www.twitter.com/pamperry *I did this for your blog
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