Blog Tour(interview): Baby Gone By by Marilee Brothers

My stop on this tour is an author interview. 

Hello Marilee, it's so good to have you here at YA Story Teller. So tell me, how did your life as a writer begin?

Very slowly. I married young, had three little boys and then went back to college to get a teaching degree. I taught physical education, English, Health, Social Studies and a bit of everything else. I also coached volleyball and track. Every summer, I went back to school, eventually earning counseling credentials. And, of course, we had three kids involved in activities. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I didn’t have a spare minute in my day to devote to writing. So, I had to wait for life to slow down.

What makes you feel inspired to write?

I find that I can’t wait for inspiration. I try to make writing a habit and, strangely, if I take too much time off, my world seems off kilter.

Tell us about your writing process. Do you outline or are you more of a seat on your pants type of a writer?

Before I start writing, I do in depth character sketches for all the main characters. When I begin writing, I have a glimmer of an idea. Sometimes I know the beginning and the end but nothing about the middle. I tend to free fly for a while because the story usually changes in the process of my writing it. Sometimes, new characters pop up. Sometimes I write myself into a corner. That’s when I stop and do some outlining. So, I guess I’m a hybrid. Part pantser and part outliner.

What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

My favorite scene happens at the end of the first chapter. Gabe is getting ready to go out on a date when he finds the baby on his porch. He blithely assumes he can take off for the evening and that someone else will step in and care for his baby. He gets a huge wake-up call from his father.

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I have to listen to Outlaw Country when I write. Something about all those good old boys and girls singing about drinkin’ and fightin’ and lovin’ gets me in the mood – LOL.

What is your usual writing routine?

I try to get going the first thing in the morning but, really, I can write anytime I put my mind to it. I’m used to interruptions. They don’t bother me.

What is the highest goal that you desire to meet as an author?

That’s a very good question. For a long time, my goal was to get published. When that happened, I was ecstatic. Now, I just want to keep cranking out books as long as I’m able. Of course, I’d love to write a best seller but, if that doesn’t happen, it’s okay.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

There are many, but Lee Child is one of my favorites. He writes thrillers featuring Jack Reacher. I find it fascinating that he’s British, yet writes American thrillers. Each book is in a different state and he has a vast knowledge of our American institutions such as the military. I’d like to know if he visits all the places he chooses as setting for his novels.

BOOK DETAILS:

 

Baby Gone Bye

By Marilee Brothers

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Publisher: Bell Bridge Books (November 29, 2013), 212 pages

Synopsis

High school senior, Gabe Delgado, is trying to trade his bad-boy ways for clean living. He remembers nothing about the night a mysterious girl loved him and left him at a party, except … there was a kind of magic around her that had nothing to do with his hangover the next day. Now he finds that “magic” in a basket on his doorstep, cooing at him like a happy little bird.

The note attached to the baby’s blanket says, “Gabe, you probably already know our baby is, well, different. If not, you’ll find out soon enough. Let’s just say she has certain qualities most babies don’t have. The thing is, I’m scared. I’m on my own and can’t keep her safe. But, you can. You’re strong. You have a family to watch out for her. Bad people want her. That’s why I left her with you. I don’t really understand what’s going on, but it has something to do with The Abolesco. Don’t try to find me. Please, take care of our baby girl and love her. Okay?”

Gabe soon discovers there are bad people on baby Birdie’s trail, but why? Suddenly party-boy Gabe has to man up to protect his daughter. Not so easy when her talents include vanishing into thin air. It’s up to Gabe and his girl-pal Abby—who has some extraordinary secrets of her own—to find out what’s up with something called the Scientific Academy of Merit, what the goons want with Birdie, and whether other people like Birdie can be saved too.

About the Author:

Marilee Brothers is a former teacher, coach and counselor. The author of eight books, Marilee and her husband are the parents of three grown sons and live in central Washington State. After writing six young adult books, Marilee is currently hard at work, writing an adult thriller. She loves hearing from people who have read her books. Feel free to contact her at www.marileebrothers.com.

Links

Twitter account is: @MarileeB.

Facebook author page is: www.facebook.com/marilee.author.

My website is: www.marileebrothers.com.

My blog is: http://bookblatherblog.blogspot.com