Hey there everyone.

Welcome to the weekend, we’ve made it all through another hectic working week.

It gives me the greatest pleasure to introduce a very talented Australian writer to the Author Interview series mix. Please welcome author, photographer, musician and poet Mary Mageau, as she tells us all about her Japanese poetry, her Historical Fiction and other intriguing stories that she has crafted for us to tuck into, along with fleshing out her inspirations and finished with some useful writing advice.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend folks.

 

Hi there Mary, fantastic to have you over here today to chat with us about all of your books and writing ethics.

Let’s start with your books themselves. You currently have a dozen titles available and have a variety of poetry, Flash Fiction, Historical Fiction and Short Stories to choose from. Please tell us more about your work and your inspirations behind all of these wonderful creations that you have brought to life.

I love to write and first became a wordsmith when I wrote poetry in the Japanese short forms of haiku, tanka and haibun. Couldn’t believe my luck when a number of these poems were published in the USA by MET Press and Kei Books. My first chapbook, “Seed Pearls”, followed and is published in Amazon’s Kindle store.

I also love to travel and became involved in historical fiction novels when I visited Tasmania and the surrounding South Pacific islands of Norfolk and New Caledonia. There I walked the remains of our early colonial and penal settlements. While researching the history of our first French and British inhabitants their stories captured my imagination. A trilogy of novels followed, together with a very long short story, “The Shipwreck Coast, A Traveller’s Tale”.

The French Revolution has become another rich source to explore, and “In The Eye of A Storm” tells a story of a young French noblewoman, saved from the guillotine by her great musical talent. Early French history led me to write “Vanquished”, a fictional novel based on the Cathar persecution of Languedoc by the Catholic Church during the medieval period.

If any of your historical fiction novels were to be made into films then who would you cast in the lead roles?

I would like to see Sophie Nelisse take the leading role of Laneve de Nervode, in my book, In The Eye of a Storm.

Helena Bonham Carter would make a perfect Mary Alworth from The Rose and the Thistle.

What do you find the most difficult thing about writing? And what do you find the easiest?

Why is it so difficult to find blocks of time available now for writing? I need a wife – someone to take over the domestic duties of running our home.

It is easy for me to write, especially in the morning, when I’m fresh and relaxed. I write nearly every day at the same time and find this simple routine helps to make facing the task more achievable.

Who are some of the authors and/or historical figures that inspire you?

I would have to include Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontё, Daphne du Maurier, and in more recent times: Margaret Atwood and Isabel Allende. Australian writer, Tim Winton, writes so compellingly about our land and literature of place. On every page of his beautiful poetic prose writing at least one inspired metaphor appears.

What sort of research do you do to write your books?

I find that travel inspires my search for a topic. Being in the place, walking the land where the plot could unfold, and visiting the local research centres and museums will always inform my writing. Discovering old photos, paintings and many interesting facts also helps. I read other’s books about the same topic or a central character that I may re-imagine myself in a new fictional way.

Why do you write? What inspired you to become a writer?

The more I read, travel, and meet new interesting people, the more material I find to fuel my writing. There are thousands of fascinating topics to investigate and many stories just waiting to be told. I firmly believe that inspiration doesn’t visit when we sit in front of a blank page, casting about for an idea to emerge. We probably won’t get one. Instead we make it happen by getting ‘out there’ and living life.

What keeps you motivated during creative slumps? How do you deal with Writers Block?

I have never experienced writers’ block but I do have periods when I must rest, take a breather and spend time away from the computer. I have a’ futures ideas’ notebook list that I read from time to time, adding new ideas for a piece of writing, or deleting others that don’t hold my interest any more. It’s good to have an idea to consider for future projects. And when writing is taking its toll, it’s time then to do some re-reading and editing.

You have access to a time machine. What advice would you give to your younger self?

I only discovered writing after my retirement from professional work. Had I chosen this field for my life’s work, I would study literature and creative writing at university level. Then I’d write, write and keep on writing.

How do you spend your free time when you are not writing?

As I was a musician in my first career, I still enjoy playing classical piano music. Several friends and I occasionally meet to play chamber music and another pianist friend joins me at the piano to play duets: Mozart Sonatas, etc.

I also enjoy cooking, and travel with my husband, taking photos and making notes of the places we visit. We both read a great deal and love visiting our two sons and five grandchildren.

Tell us more about your upcoming projects. Are you working on anything specific or have plans in the pipeline?

At this time, I have just published my last book on Amazon. Sparks is a collection of micro fiction, short pieces, little poems, and very short stories. Since 2012 I have written a blog, Nature as Art and Inspiration, that features my photography —another fascinating hobby — to showcase Australia’s amazing flora and breathtaking landscapes. I feel that I have taken this as far as I wish now and will cease contributing, though it is still live online.

I may start another blog. Sparks, to allow me to publish my short form writings and I am still considering this. I also write photo essays for an American ezine, Nature Writing and contribute to other magazines and online sites.

Finally, are there any nuggets of wisdom that you can impart to other aspiring writers?

Attend workshops and join a writers’ group to find stimulation and an avenue for sharing your work. Find yourself a good editor, as nothing should be released to the public until it is well-edited and carefully proof read. Don’t take rejection letters or criticism personally, just keep on working and striving to express your ideas clearly. Enjoy the process, as it isn’t supposed to be a torture, and discover good friends among your fellow writers. Above all do lots of reading.

And that’s a wrap! Thank you for spending time with us today Mary, we can’t wait to check out all of the wonderful books that you have to offer 🙂

Bio:-

Mary Mageau, is an Australian author and nature photographer. Her writings in the Japanese verse forms of haiku, tanka and haibun are published in the United States by Red Moon Press, the MET Press and Kei Books. Mary’s poetry has also featured in American, Canadian and Australian anthologies and literary journals. In 2010 Blemish Books, (Canberra) published twenty of her haibun poems in Triptych Poets, Volume I. She has also written a collection of lyric essays on nature themes, six historical romance novels, a chapbook, and several collections of short stories.

You can connect with her on the following Social Media channels:-

Amazon Author Page:- Mary Mageau Amazon Author Page
Blog/Website:- Nature as Art and Inspiration

You can buy her books on Amazon Kindle here:-

Buy Mary Mageau’s books in Canada

Buy Mary Mageau’s books in the UK/Europe

Buy Mary Mageau’s books in the US/Rest of the World

If you too would like to be interviewed on my blog at TooFullToWrite and you have a book or a series of books that you would like us to chat about then fill out the Contact Me form here with your details and we can arrange a future interview slot.

Still want more? Well, Mary has a wide and impressive range of creative fields that she has explored over the years, culminating in her diverse writing. There appears to be a relevant link-up post over at The Daily Post that references extensive collections. For more articles based on the theme of ‘Panoply’ then check out the links below:-

1. Tough Questions – Leaking Ink
2. Sacrificial Chain Breaker – PANOPLY
3. kwesi – panoply
4. Quietly Complicated – “Live Free & Love On Purpose!!”
5. Projects – Snowflakes Panoply – MINDING MY P’S WITH Q
6. A Feather in My Cap – atrangizindagieksafar
7. Panopoly – Twinkle Admist the Darkness
8. Panoply – Novel Tales
9. Panoply – Melinda J. Irvine
10. D.J. Garcia, Gentleman & Scholar – Stamps
11. It’s All in Finding the Right Words – The “Panoply” Called Me
12. theblackwallblog – Start here…
13. sarahscapes – mash-up
14. Panoply – Ontheland
15. Tinder (Panoply) – day 9 prompt – 50-Word Haiku Stories
16. Protect the Protectors – Whispers in the Wind
17. BENEATH THE PANOPLY – absurd.lucid
18. whodoesshethinksheisblog – The Panoply
19. Panoply – Bits of Poems
20. Purposive Writer – Bliss
21. Panoply – Random Thoughts and Musings
22. logicaldreams – Penelope’s Panoply
23. PANOPLY – Ripples N Reflections
24. From Panoply of Paintings to Panoply of Guns – sweepingtherug
25. A Different Paris – Journeys of Len
26. tuckedintoacorner – water lilies + panoply
27. Protecting My Heart – Debbie Gravett
28. More than Love – Ms Skyfall
29. Fluffy Pool – Blackout
30. New York City Is A Panoply in December – Jacki Kellum
31. The Syllabub Sea – Ostentatious Panoply
32. Unraveling the Heart – Panoply of Poetry
33. Le Drake Noir – Along the flow
34. A-Z challenge; Letter B – teenspirit
35. Unbound – The Beginning in the End
36. Samantha Linda – Panopoly
37. Always A Reason – KL Beats Boulevard
38. Devil Doll Musings – Used To Love Her
39. Unexpected Treasure Box in the Storeroom – JUNKY TRAVEL
40. Daily Post:Panoply – The Bag Lady
41. December daily piece – teenspirit
42. I Didn’t Just Wake Up This Morning With A Craving – Collections
43. SoMuchToTellYou – Will You Share in this Beautiful Silence with Me?
44. DAD YOU ARE A FIGHTER – Rainbow
45. Life On The Skinny Branches – Holiday Panoply
46. Site Move and Facelift – Clif Haley
47. A panoply of possibilities – Art and Life
48. Shubert Alley – Inner Whispers
49. Good Vibrations – Sinner’s Prayer ~ Fallen Saint
50. Christine’s Collection – A Panoply of Gray
51. A Purple Glint of Paint – Occasional Dreams
52. 83 Unsung Heroes – A Collection Of Armour
53. Legion – indisputably inconclusive
54. Panoply – Wings Of Poetry
55. Flowers and Breezes – Panoply
56. Vivid Dreamer – Mad Killings
57. Panoply – The Examined Life
58. Sweet aroma – AH, SWEET WONDER
59. Making Christmas – April’s Perspective
60. johnandmargaret1607 – A PANOPLY OF FOOLS
61. HarlemATL Inner City Blues – An Impressive Gathering & Collection
62. Tom of the North – It’s pronounced ‘hoarder’…
63. Prescription For Bento – Haiku (or A Panoply of Waste)
64. Single Bipolar Mom – My Loud Bipolar Whispers
65. My World With Words – Lost Library
66. There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament – the doors are always open
67. Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents – I’m Cranky, Sad and Defiant. December, Here I Come.
68. The [Password] is “Password” – Northport
69. Netdancer’s Musings and Photography – Colorful Florence Leathers
70. Wee Scoops – #Panoply
71. Jackie’s World Travel – 221 Baker St.
72. Acorns, Feathers, and Moss – S. Thomas Summers
73. Collections… – fit2fatforme
74. Naukuchiatal – Don’t hold your breath
75. SERENDIPITY – A PANOPLY OF LIGHTS
76. The Girl with the Butterfly Tattoo – Escaped Words
77. Panoply – Image & Word
78. Harcourt 51 – Panoply of Visitors
79. kStan(ly) kSays – a host of heaven’s angels
80. s1ngal – Disintegrating the Panoply
81. Awl and Scribe – Panoply
82. Panoply – Paulina Angela
83. mylocalweb – The panoply of emotions
84. Panoply – thinkinkadia
85. Rest for Your Soul – Panoply Plunge
86. Panoply of Christmas Decoration – Ladyleemanila
87. Vincent: a Panoply of emotion – Mindflight
88. A mom who’s more than a dentist – Thorny prompt
89. The Green Dog Chronicles. My Life in Navia – Snow in the Mountains. #TheOtherSpain
90. Anton’s Ideas – TRUMP’S PANOPLY OF MEGALOMANIA
91. Covert Novelist – Panoply
92. brick by brick – MY ENDURING BONES
93. The Gad About Town – A Range of Emotions, All of Them Good
94. Quill & Parchment – Panoply
95. Panoply – suzhalgal
96. Zombie Flamingos – Not a panoply at all
97. Inner Procession – emotionsoflife2016
98. Karen L West – Panoply
99. Panoply of Coffee – TheNanceFamily
100. Panoply- The people’s armour – Political Rants
101. An Upturned Soul – The 4th House – Home is Where…?
102. Common Ground – A Flaming Sword of Justice
103. The Daily Post – Progressing into Solitude – A Full Panoply Of Cats
104. Baby on a Raft – Dear Mr. Trump,
105. The Happy Wordcrafter – Daily Post Prompt: Panoply
106. Cleansing detox smoothie bowl – perfect to balance holiday indulgences – art of being fabulous
107. Here is My Panoply – Lilly’s View
108. The Cat Chronicles – Daily Feline Prompt: Panoplying Feline
109. Clutch* (A Lune) – Emotional Spaces
110. Frank Prem – a lingering tang from dry cane
111. Frank Prem – at Koko Black
112. Vaidus World – A Rain Shower (Short Story)
113. Telling the Truth – Nature’s Panoply
114. Chariot race anyone? ⋆ Obsolete Childhood
115. An Unwanted Visitor – atrangizindagieksafar
116. La Tour Abolie – In full panoply
117. Prepare for Battle – Healing Foodie
118. Scott’s Place – Panoply
119. Hypocrisy – A lot from Lydia
120. thelonerose – Christmas decorating
121. lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown – Christmastime Construction Blues
122. Raining and storming – ARMY OF THE FALLEN BIKERS
123. Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss – Let’s panoply
124. simply.cindy – Hannah’s Collections
125. Relax – An impressive array of I-think-nots
126. sonja benskin mesher – :: the collection ::
127. Panoply of Posts – Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman!
128. Panoply – Oh, border!
129. Never Give Up – Dee-Vita
130. Author Cynthia Mackey – A Book Designed to Inspire
131. Panoply-whatty? – word2yourmother
132. B_ up to date – Buzzing Air
133. Insach – WTH!
134. poorhaiku – Panoply of Reality
135. Panoply… – Emotions that matter.
136. the15thday – pan.o.ply – a complete or impressive collection of things. apparently
137. BodynSoil – Make your Own DIY Velveeta Cheese
138. I wrote a book. Now what? – Squirrelly concentration at best
139. That Baseball Card is Worth How Much? – Pete Gardner Psalms
140. Lost Property Repository – Apartment 213
141. Southern By Design – Follow Me
142. The Poetic Syndrome – Don’t leave Eli, stay
143. Lantern Words – Your Panoply