Interview with Mary Griffith!

Captain’s Log, Stardate 12.02.2005

I got a chance to catch up with debut author Marilynn Griffith on the eve of her novel’s release. MADE OF HONOR is a sassy urban Chicklit published by Steeple Hill Café line, and it’ll be in bookstores on December 27th, although us Chicklit fans have already pre-ordered our copies from Amazon.com. :)

Reader questions:

CT: Us married people love to write about singles. Why do you think that is? What do you want to say to that demographic?

MG: It's funny, isn't it? Well for one thing, I think it takes a few years to be able to look back on part of your life with any perspective. While I might have had something snarky to say when I was 20, marriage and several more years of living helped me to understand things that I missed while I was living it. Also, since I married young, many of my friends were still single. I don't really have anything to say to singles except that I respect them for living godly when it's often difficult to do so and I hope they enjoy the book.

CT: Where would you like to see your writing going, in terms of genre and scope, in the next several years?

MG: That's a good question and one I've been asked more than once lately. Since I am married and a mom, I would like to delve into marital dynamics and explore friendships more. Still, there is something in me that just likes getting people together. I'm a sucker for a good wedding.

CT: Do your kids influence your writing at all? How? How about hubby?

MG: Ha! Do my kids influence my writing? Uh, yeah, but probably not in the way you mean. Their schedules come first, so often my writing may be on a fast food napkin or in a tattered notebook as I supervise, taxi, cook, hot glue or whatever the occasion dictates. They also affect my state of mind. As for my husband, he definitely affects things. I can always tell when I get to about page 270 in a book, he gets ready for me to be done. He's a total sport though and has supported me from the beginning. Without him, I couldn't have do what I'm doing.

CT: Did you ever have to wear a candy-pink bridesmaid dress?

MG: No, thank God. I think peach was as close as it got and it was actually sort of pretty.

CT: What do you think made MADE OF HONOR stand out for Steeple Hill?

MG: I have no idea. My neurosis? Actually they'd passed on another project, but expressed interest in my voice so maybe it was that. I'm sure there were market considerations that came into play, but I'll go with voice.

CT: What was the funnest part of writing MADE OF HONOR?

MG: There were quite a few parts were I laughed out loud during the editing, but I don't want to give too much away so I'll stick with a funny at the beginning. As the book opens, Dana is at her roommate's wedding in a too small, too pink bridesmaid's gown. Well...she gets a little excited when she tasted the cake and the dress rips a little on both sides revealing her plus size cheetah girdle. Her otherwise refined friends just lose it totally. And so did I.

CT: What's your favorite scene from MADE OF HONOR?

MG: I have several, but the reunion scene between Dana and her brother really stuck with me for some reason.

CT: Characters are like children for writers. 'Fess up, which character is your favorite from this series?

MG: Oh my, that's difficult. I really loved everyone in this cast. I have to say that Austin Shapiro, the Messianic Jewish newscaster who befriends Dana became my favorite. She was just a shopper in Dana's store, but then she opened her mouth and next thing I knew she was ShalomSistah, a new member to the Sassy Sistahood, Dana's email loop.

More on the interview tomorrow!

Camy