Chatting with Marley Gibson

Two weeks ago we talked about the book launch of Ghost Huntress: The Counseling by Marley Gibson, and how it is the fourth installment in the acclaimed Ghost Huntress series.

Today, Marley has graciously agreed to chat with us, to tell us about that book and other things going on in her busy life...

Hey, Marley! Thanks for being with us. Could you please tell us a little about your writing background and how you made your first sale?

I've been writing as long as I can remember. Don't all writers use that as their answer? LOL! It's seriously true, though. I remember writing short stories in crayon as a little kid and then "auctioning" them off to my family. Recently, my sister said to me, "I never understood why we had to pay you for your stories." I guess I was preparing myself for the world of publishing. I wrote all through high school, even penned a teenage romance then, and wrote all through college. In 2001, I decided to finally quit TALKING about writing a book and just do it. I had a really bad agent (sorry) for two and a half years and then I found my really awesome agent who totally understood me, my characters, my voice, etc. Within six months of signing with her, I had my first deal which was starting off the SORORITY 101 series. The publisher came to my agent asking if they had a writer with sorority experience and my agent knew my background and abilities well enough that she pitched me. I did the first two books in the series under the name Kate Harmon. A year later, she sold my GHOST HUNTRESS series.

Great! Readers and writers often like to get a behind the scenes peek of an author's writing routine. It would be great if you could please share your typical writing day schedule.

I'll admit that I don't write every day. However, I *think* about writing every day. I'm constantly plotting and planning and creating characters and dialogue in my head. I really have to let a story stew for a while -- sorry, it's the foodie in me making the analogy -- to make sure all of the ingredients are there before I can start putting words to paper. When I am writing, or what I call "the blood fever," then I will sit with the headphones on cranking out House/Trance/Dance music and totally escape into my world I'm creating. I type wicked fast (like 100 wpm) so I can get out about 1,500 words in an hour. I just try to dump everything out the best I can and then I go back and re-read and polish, add things, strengthen, tighten, etc. I've gotten to the point where I'm a first draft writer -- but that was after years of practice and many completed manuscripts that went through several adaptations before completion. Everyone's different, but this is what works for me.

I’m a crazy-fast typist, too, although the days of me hitting 100 wpm are probably behind me! Anyway, please tell us now about your novel, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING, and what we can expect from your characters.

Well, GHOST HUNTRESS: THE COUNSELING picks up after book three, THE REASON, where Kendall finds out who her spirit guide, Emily, really is. In an attempt to help Kendall find herself and her identity, her parents send her to an Enlightened Youth Retreat in the Sierras in California. There she meets a new cast of characters who are "gifted" just like she is. There, they work with counselors to discuss their feelings, senses, abilities, etc., and realize that they're not alone in this awakening world. Of course, Kendall meets an adorable, yet troubled guy, Patrick Lynn, who is struggling with not only his own awakening, but his connection with Kendall. Together, they team up to help the trapped spirit of a young woman who was murdered. All of the teens join together to solve this cold case...just as Kendall is accepting who she really is.

What's up next? Do you have another project in the works?

Well....I do have stuff in the works. My agent has a few proposals out there and I'm just waiting to hear. I love writing, creating characters and situations, and I love entertaining people. My fans have been great and really get into the GHOST HUNTRESS books. I hope people will keep writing and letting me know what they think. I love that this is my "full-time" job and that I'm doing what I've always wanted to do. And that's write!

Thanks! Would you like to close with a writing tip?

The best writing tip I can give....is if you want to be a writer then just DO IT. So many people ask me how to get published and what did I do and what can they do and all I can really say is...write. Write. Write. Oh yeah, and write. You can't get published if you haven't written anything. Having a great idea for a book is awesome, but if you don't flesh it out into a tangible product, then it doesn't matter. Write it. Even if it's horrible. Write it. Get it out of you and onto the computer. Just. Do. It.

Yep, I couldn’t agree more! Thanks for visiting with us, Marley!

Thanks for having me!! = )