It’s Wednesday and that means, it’s Guest Author Day. This week it’s M.S. Spencer…
This Writer’s Life-(TWL)-Welcome to the Wednesday blog, happy to have you join us today. Introduce yourself and tell us about yourself, your writing and your books.
about yourself, your writing and your books.
Hello, my name is M. S. Spencer.
Although I’ve lived or traveled in five of the seven continents, thirty years were spent in Washington, D.C. as a librarian, Congressional staff assistant, speechwriter, editor, birdwatcher, kayaker, policy wonk, non-profit director, and parent. After way too many years in academia, I worked for the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Department of the Interior, in both public and academic library systems,, and at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, a diploma in Arabic Studies from the American University in Cairo, and Masters in both Anthropology and in Library Science from the University of Chicago.
Since 2009 I’ve published sixteen romantic suspense or murder mystery novels. I love my two fabulous grown children and incredible granddaughter, and divide my time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
TWL-Why and when did you decide to become an author?
Lost in the mists of childhood. I’ve been writing stories and sappy poems since elementary school. I think if you’re a born writer, you need to write. I could go for ages without touching pen to paper, then all of a sudden I would get this overwhelming urge to put words on a napkin, a laptop, a scrap of paper. “Decide” to become an author? No, writing chose me.
TWL-What’s a typical writing session like for you?
If you exclude the hour or more gazing out the window, scratching mysterious bumps on my arms, feeding peanuts to Peter the squirrel, checking news aggregates—then I spend about 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours late afternoon writing.
TWL-What have you learned most from being a writer?
As for writing itself, so much. I love getting advice and incorporating it into my writing. Every little tidbit helps to hone my skills. As for being a writer, I’ve learned that you can turn your natural introversion to a profit.
TWL-What’s been the biggest struggle and how did you overcome it?
I could say it was when I discovered that my husband had thrown away my first manuscript (in the days when you had one copy and a floppy disk), but I won’t. I went on to publish 16 books, so it’s okay, Gary, I forgive you.
TWL-What’s been your biggest victory?
Winning a silver medal for Mystery at the Florida Writers Association in 2022 for The Hidden Gem: the Secret of St. Augustine.
TWL-If you could give advice to your pre-author self, what would it be?
You can do this.
TWL-What writing tip would you offer to a new author?
Reread, reread, reread your manuscript. Check everything: dates, spelling, grammar, facts (if she’s wearing polka dots at the beginning of the scene, she shouldn’t be wearing stripes at the end). Do not submit until you know your book by heart. Sure, you may have a dynamite story, but editors, publishers, and especially readers do not appreciate slapdash work. Simple errors will distract them from your stellar work.
TWL-What would you like to promote today?
If I may, I’d like to take a moment to tell you about my new release, The Wishing Tree: Love, Lies, and Spies on Chincoteague Island. It’s a cozy mystery/romantic suspense set on the Delmarva Peninsula, the area surrounding the Mother of Waters, the Chesapeake Bay.
Will the wind whip her token from the Wishing Tree and make her wish come true?
Addison Steele dreams of the day her husband—lost at sea—returns to her. Instead, she meets Nick Savage, whose every word may be a lie. She is soon embroiled in mystery, all related to the top secret science station at Wallops Island, Virginia.
After a Belarusian scientist at Wallops is murdered, the questions multiply. Was it because he caught the person stealing classified documents or because he wanted to defect? Is Nick the spy—or is it his brother? How can she trust the man who is slowly claiming her heart when his story keeps shifting?
The Wishing Tree: Love, Lies, and Spies on Chincoteague Island
The Wild Rose Press, July 17, 2023
First Edition, 2023
368 p.; PG-13
Murder mystery (Cozy), Romantic Suspense
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