Author Marilyn Levinson Shares Her Story @MarilynLevinson
Marilyn Levinson, a former Spanish teacher, writes mysteries, romance, and books for children and young adults.
Her latest novel, DANGEROUS RELATIONS, is a romantic suspense with an intriguing mystery. Her entertaining ghost mystery, GIVING UP THE GHOST, is available, as are her two Twin Lakes Mysteries: A MURDERER AMONG US–awarded a Best Indie of 2011 by Suspense Magazine–and MURDER IN THE AIR. “I’m Getting Married,” a romantic short story, is available as well.
Three of Marilyn’s popular out-of-print children’s books, AND DON’T BRING JEREMY, NO BOYS ALLOWED, and RUFUS AND MAGIC RUN AMOK are now available as ebooks.
Marilyn lives on Long Island, and is co-founder and past-president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime.
About the Author
Marilyn Levinson, a former Spanish teacher, writes mysteries, romance, and books for children and young adults.
Her latest novel, DANGEROUS RELATIONS, is a romantic suspense with an intriguing mystery. Her entertaining ghost mystery, GIVING UP THE GHOST, is available, as are her two Twin Lakes Mysteries: A MURDERER AMONG US–awarded a Best Indie of 2011 by Suspense Magazine–and MURDER IN THE AIR. “I’m Getting Married,” a romantic short story, is available as well.
Three of Marilyn’s popular out-of-print children’s books, AND DON’T BRING JEREMY, NO BOYS ALLOWED, and RUFUS AND MAGIC RUN AMOK are now available as ebooks.
Marilyn lives on Long Island, and is co-founder and past-president of the Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime.
What inspires you to write romance books?
I think romance helps make the world go round. My mysteries all have romances in them.
Tell us about how you write:
I get a general idea for a book, create the main characters, then write a sketchy outline, which I change as I go along. I write on my computer, write my outline in paragraph form. I do not create character sketches. I do not use any particular software to plot or outline.
Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t talk to my characters. I find that their personalities and actions unfold as I write. They often surprise me, which is good. Following an outline alone is boring. If I have a plot or situational problem, I brainstorm with other writers. Sometimes a friend provides a solution. Sometimes simply discussing the problem provides me with ideas.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write, read, join RWA and your local RWA group, I’ve belonged to LIRW for — I don’t know how many years. They are the most supportive people!! And form a good critique group. Writing classes are great, but there’s no need to take more than a few. Spend most of your energies writing.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I’ve published every which way. My children’s books were published traditionally some years ago. My mysteries were published with an e-publisher and self-published. I self-published the one mystery because I was dissatisfied with the e-publisher, but I would self-publish again.. My romantic suspense came out with an e-publisher. I’ve a new mystery coming out with a publisher that does paper and ebooks. I think new authors should explore all venues.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I believe ebooks are on the rise, but that paper books will continue to exist. I read both myself.
What genres do you write:: mystery, romantic suspense, children’s literature
What formats are your books in: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Author Home Page Link
Link To Author Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/161602.Marilyn_Levinson
http://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson
