Today, Marian Thomas is in the Author Spotlight. Marian, please share a short bio with us.Marian: Originally I am from the windy city, Chicago but I currently reside in Atlanta with my husband and our spoiled but playful dog, Winston, whom I like to affectionately, refers to as “big-boned.”
Website: http://www.marianlthomas.com
Cate: Tell us about Color Me Jazzmyne and where it’s available.Marian: Child abuse, rape, dealing with your inner child, divorce, love, good friendships and those that aren't, struggling to live, finding your voice and finding yourself are just some of the things that women go through at least once in their lifetime. In this tale, Naya Mona takes readers on a journey through her crayon box of life. She shows us what her true colors are as she recounts her life to her son whom she hasn't seen since birth. How do you tell your son that your father is his? The spiral of events that fill Naya's life provides an intimate look at the drama, romance and struggles that become her voice. On stage, she must become Jazzmyne-the jazz singer with a flair of Rhythm and a dash of Blues. Naya takes you on a rollercoaster ride that is filled with such melodious tones that I hope all who read it will make a true reader connection. It is available on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com and the audio book is available on Audible.com.
Cate: Please tantalize us with a story blub or excerpt.
Marian: Here's an excerpt: "My past however, is something quite different. It still haunts me, slaps me in the face and dares me to face the reality of today. Every day, it seems, I am forced to remember what color is Jazzmyne. Once upon a time the color of snow ran through me. It ran so deep that it blended with my insides, messed with my emotions and played with the deepest corners of my heart.
How can life do that to a woman? As I look into the mirror, I can quickly see the colors that answer that question.Upon the walls of my office are newspapers encased in gold frames. I glance at the writings, the ink still trying to hold on to the paper. So many years have passed. They all told a story. Each one represented a version of some reporter's dream. Some wrote that I become everything from simply nothing. Others wrote that my voice awakens them and breathes life into the deepest corner of their being. I wish it did the same for me. I could use an awakening."
Cate: What inspired you to write about the theme?
Marian: In my life I have gone through many colors of Naya Mona-displayed within the book; I honestly feel that most women have at some point. While it isn’t a story about me, there are moments when I look back at the story and think “wow” that was me in some aspect.
Cate: How did you develop your plot and characters?
Marian: I think the character Naya Mona has always been in my head, the additional characters are more of a reflection of the “people” that come in and out of our lives that try to color us into what they want us to become. I developed the plot around this concept.
Cate: Did you feel as if the characters lived with you as you wrote?
Marian: They did, in a sense. It was necessary. To me, readers must be able to make a reader connection with your characters, so aspects of the characters lives need to have a flair of reality in them. I hope that I was able to accomplish this.
Cate: What’s next for you?
Marian: For the near future: On April 13, 2010 I am conducting an online “blast” day for my book Color Me Jazzmyne. Ten amazing companies have contributed a bonus gift that will be given away to everyone who makes a purchase on that day and we are also having a “15 hr Amazing Grab Bag” where (1) winner will be selected every hour from all who have made a purchase. Bestselling authors, radio talk show hosts and others have contributed some amazing prizes for this. However, the Bigger purpose of this day is to give 15% of the proceeds from all purchases of the book made via Amazon.com to The Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. They are committed to helping children who have become a victim of sexual or physical abuse heal. Website for Blast Day: http://www.thecolormejazzmyneblastdaypromotion.com
As far as writing is concerned: I am working on my next title My Father’s Colors, I hope to have it completed and published by the end of the year-it’s a goal that I’m trying to stick to.
Cate: How would you describe your writing in three words?
Marian: Emotional, drama, realistic.
Cate: Thanks for being my guest, Marian. Best of luck.
