Today
I’m very lucky to be interviewing Mary Carpenter author of Mary and the
Marauding Indians
I’m very lucky to be interviewing Mary Carpenter author of Mary and the
Marauding Indians
Hi
Mary Aunty( hope you remember out deal),
Mary Aunty( hope you remember out deal),
For the readers: Since it is uncomfortable to call someone my Grandmother’s age by her name, I took permission to call her aunt.
Q
Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about
yourself and your background?
Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about
yourself and your background?
Mary : I went to college and became an
ordained Christian minister of the United Methodist Church. I served as a
pastor for 20 years in Kansas. Then my health turned very bad and I had to
stop. I moved from Kansas back to the southern United States where I was
raised. When I had time on my hands, I stopped writing sermons and started
writing stories.
ordained Christian minister of the United Methodist Church. I served as a
pastor for 20 years in Kansas. Then my health turned very bad and I had to
stop. I moved from Kansas back to the southern United States where I was
raised. When I had time on my hands, I stopped writing sermons and started
writing stories.
Q
Why did you write Historical Fictions?
Why did you write Historical Fictions?
Mary: I write historical fiction to honor
those who went before us. The struggles they endured paved the way so that we
could have comfort. I want to remember them and their stories.
those who went before us. The struggles they endured paved the way so that we
could have comfort. I want to remember them and their stories.
Q
Tell me about your books
Tell me about your books
Mary: All
of my fiction books are historically based on real incidents. I read
newspapers, diaries, official testimonies and letters from the time period and
then write the stories based on what people said happened. I also write
nonfiction books. I have book on turmeric and its medicinal value coming out
next month. It is based on scientific journals of 2014 and 2015 and the newest
advances in medical research.
of my fiction books are historically based on real incidents. I read
newspapers, diaries, official testimonies and letters from the time period and
then write the stories based on what people said happened. I also write
nonfiction books. I have book on turmeric and its medicinal value coming out
next month. It is based on scientific journals of 2014 and 2015 and the newest
advances in medical research.
Q
In reality, was there a practice of becoming a Mail Order Bride
In reality, was there a practice of becoming a Mail Order Bride
Mary: Yes, mail order brides were very
popular in the late 1800s because of the lack of women in the West. The
conditions were harsh during the Frontier times. Men led the path to the West
and then women followed.
popular in the late 1800s because of the lack of women in the West. The
conditions were harsh during the Frontier times. Men led the path to the West
and then women followed.
Q
Tell me about Mary Thompson
Tell me about Mary Thompson
Mary: The Mary Thompson in my book was
loosely based on my great grandmother. She was born under similar circumstances but did not
become a mail order bride. She was strong and worked very hard to raise her
family with little money.
loosely based on my great grandmother. She was born under similar circumstances but did not
become a mail order bride. She was strong and worked very hard to raise her
family with little money.
Q
Is there any relation between you protagonist and the original
Mary Thompson who lived in Dodge City at that time?
Is there any relation between you protagonist and the original
Mary Thompson who lived in Dodge City at that time?
Mary: Any resemblance between my Mary and
that Mary is coincidence. Mary is a popular name and so is Thompson.
that Mary is coincidence. Mary is a popular name and so is Thompson.
Q
Did you do any research?
Did you do any research?
Mary: Yes, I read congressional testimony
regarding the Northern Cheyenne and their treatment by the Army and US
government. I read the account of Col. Lewis and his death in the Army records
and books. I read the journals of the settlers during the Indian Wars. The
story of Mary hiding in the barn was a true account. This was in a letter to
the US government asking for reimbursement for the cows and horses. I also read
accounts of Dodge City and the Col. Lewis story about pulling the soldiers out
of jail and building the Long Branch Saloon.
regarding the Northern Cheyenne and their treatment by the Army and US
government. I read the account of Col. Lewis and his death in the Army records
and books. I read the journals of the settlers during the Indian Wars. The
story of Mary hiding in the barn was a true account. This was in a letter to
the US government asking for reimbursement for the cows and horses. I also read
accounts of Dodge City and the Col. Lewis story about pulling the soldiers out
of jail and building the Long Branch Saloon.
Q
Do you ever get writer’s Block?
Do you ever get writer’s Block?
Mary: Yes, but I read so much history that
the ideas are always there. The problem I have is moving them from my mind to
the paper. I read and write for 4 hours every day. Sometimes I just make notes
on what I read, other times I write on my stories.
the ideas are always there. The problem I have is moving them from my mind to
the paper. I read and write for 4 hours every day. Sometimes I just make notes
on what I read, other times I write on my stories.
Q
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
Do you read much and if so who are your favourite authors.
Mary: I read all the time. Faye and Jonathan
Kellerman, Janet Evanovitch, C.S. Lewis, Tex Sample, Louis L’Amour, John
Grisham, Robin Cook, Tom Clancey, Lewis Grizzard, Jude Devereaux, and hundreds
of others are my favorites. I rarely meet a book I don’t like.
Kellerman, Janet Evanovitch, C.S. Lewis, Tex Sample, Louis L’Amour, John
Grisham, Robin Cook, Tom Clancey, Lewis Grizzard, Jude Devereaux, and hundreds
of others are my favorites. I rarely meet a book I don’t like.
Q
How are you publishing this book and why?
(*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)
How are you publishing this book and why?
(*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)
Mary: This is independently published through
CreateSpace. I wasn’t sure I could do this. This is my first full length novel,
and it is still short.
CreateSpace. I wasn’t sure I could do this. This is my first full length novel,
and it is still short.
Q
How do you market your books?
How do you market your books?
Mary: I buy advertising on Google Adwords and
Facebook.
Facebook.
Q
Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you?
Any amusing story about marketing books that happened to you?
Mary: no, I wish there was.
Q
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
Mary: Good reviews are awesome. Since I am a
beginner they encourage me to keep working. Bad reviews can be very hurtful. If
the bad review lists why the person didn’t like the book that is more helpful,
but to say a book is a waste of time to read is not. I think we can all learn
from every book or written material, even cereal boxes. So reading anything is
not a waste of time, in my opinion.
beginner they encourage me to keep working. Bad reviews can be very hurtful. If
the bad review lists why the person didn’t like the book that is more helpful,
but to say a book is a waste of time to read is not. I think we can all learn
from every book or written material, even cereal boxes. So reading anything is
not a waste of time, in my opinion.
Q
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything
else to promote your work and did it work?
Did you do a press release, Goodreads book launch or anything
else to promote your work and did it work?
Mary: I bought ads on Facebook and did a free
book giveaway on my short story Maggie and the Stubborn Swede and Mary and the
Marauding Indians. I gave away about 2,000 copies in the two events. I am part
of the KDP program that tracks the pages read. So far, over 8,000 pages have
been read. I think that is really good for a new author. I have only sold 50
copies so far, but I think that will improve as I launch more titles.
book giveaway on my short story Maggie and the Stubborn Swede and Mary and the
Marauding Indians. I gave away about 2,000 copies in the two events. I am part
of the KDP program that tracks the pages read. So far, over 8,000 pages have
been read. I think that is really good for a new author. I have only sold 50
copies so far, but I think that will improve as I launch more titles.
Q
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and
why?
Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and
why?
Mary: Abraham Lincoln, as he had so much to
deal with when our country was divided.
deal with when our country was divided.
Q
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t
included?
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t
included?
Mary:
I have several more books in the works.
Katy and the Wolf at the Door will be out this month. I am also writing Missy
and the Contraband Camp, due out at the beginning of December. In January I
will release Suzanna and the Exodusters. In February I have planned Joe and the
Buffalo Hunters. All of these books are semi-biographical, based on real events
but they are created characters.
I have several more books in the works.
Katy and the Wolf at the Door will be out this month. I am also writing Missy
and the Contraband Camp, due out at the beginning of December. In January I
will release Suzanna and the Exodusters. In February I have planned Joe and the
Buffalo Hunters. All of these books are semi-biographical, based on real events
but they are created characters.
Q
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website:
http://www.marycriswellcarpenter.com
Blog: http://www.marycriswellcarpenter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marycriswellcarpenterhistoricalromance/
Twitter: @mjccnevertool8
Lnkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryccarpenterauthor
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/purplemem/
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Criswell-Carpenter/e/B0153OZ868/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Smashwords:
Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0153BY5BU/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
http://www.marycriswellcarpenter.com
Blog: http://www.marycriswellcarpenter.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marycriswellcarpenterhistoricalromance/
Twitter: @mjccnevertool8
Lnkedin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryccarpenterauthor
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/purplemem/
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Criswell-Carpenter/e/B0153OZ868/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1
Smashwords:
Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0153BY5BU/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016UTSVUU/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14417134.Mary_Criswell_Carpenter
Q
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to take part in this interview.
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy
schedule to take part in this interview.
Mary: Thank you for the candid review. It was
very helpful for me as I try to improve my writing skills. I have written
academically for more than twenty years but fiction is a different genre. I
must practice and study to write an interesting and honest book.
very helpful for me as I try to improve my writing skills. I have written
academically for more than twenty years but fiction is a different genre. I
must practice and study to write an interesting and honest book.
