Today I am speaking with Mary Jean Kelso who is a writer with many talents.

Hi Mary Jean! Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us. I really appreciate this opportunity to interview you.

First off, Mary Jean, I would like to welcome you to Fallen Angels. Do you like to be called Mary or Mary Jean?

Actually it is Mary Jean.
There's a story behind my name. My mother named me Maryjean but the typist at the State Birth Certificate Department put a space and a Cap J on it so it came back as Mary Jean. Actually, Mary Jean is what I usually go by, professionally. I've always found there were numerous Mary’s.

Why don’t we begin by telling us a little about yourself?

I was born and raised in Eugene, OR. After more years than I care to admit, I finally moved to Nevada a little over two years ago and started a new life. I have been married and had 3 children. After they were grown, I adopted a fourth child, my eldest son's boy. So I am a retread of sorts. I am now divorced as of a year ago last September. I have written all of my life and struggled against the tag of being "weird" before writing became a legitimate business.

What would you say is your favorite genre to read or write?

I have always loved Historical and Mysteries. I grew up on Nancy Drew books. Saving my pennies and small change until I had the $2 and something to buy a new one when I didn't read them from the library. I still have the copies I bought as a child.
I like to read something that provides a great location. It's like a mini trip.

Does your writing require you to do much research?

Tons! Before I moved to Nevada I had written 5 books situated in that area. While I was working full time I spent every vacation and long weekend I could in Nevada researching the historical sites to be sure the locations I used were authentic.

Do you get many interruptions during your writing process? And if so, how do you stay focused so not to lose your train of thought in your writing?

With a boy that just turned 11 there are always distractions. Like homework and sports and Cub Scouts (for which I am the Pack Treasurer). Oftentimes, I take the laptop with me to practice sessions and sit in the car and work while he is practicing. Then there is the "Other" job where I write for a newspaper that I have to have a feature and 3 or 4 photos for each week. Besides, LIFE. You all know what that's like.

Did you always have a desire to be a writer?

I have written since I was first introduced to the pencil and paper. When I was in the 4th or 5th grade my dad had an old typewriter and I wrote a little community newspaper for our Dogpatch-type neighborhood. Circulation was probably 10 households. But, I cranked it out on the Hectograph and distributed it, charging 5 cents an issue.

Do you remember your first sale and your reaction?

My first BIG sale was a short story to a romance magazine through Magazine Management back in New York. I got $150 in about 1968. It was very exciting. We partied at a local dance hall and had a great time with several other couples. One of the women was my friend that had gotten me started writing "professionally". What was interesting was that I went to work for a publisher in the 1980's that had moved his company to my area. One of my editors was a woman that had worked for the company that published my short story and she had been instrumental in their buying it. (Play the woo woo music.)

Do you write around a schedule or when motivation strikes?

Usually, when motivation strikes. But I do have to do the required writing for the paper and I can make myself work if I am in the middle of a project that has to be done. Otherwise, I find I work rapidly when running on motivation and that makes up for the goof-off days.

Are your characters sometimes based on actual people or made up?

Both. Molly in The Homesteader and Homesteader's Legacy is very loosely based on my Maternal Grandmother. Only in that she was a New Mexico Homesteader and school teacher. If she were alive I'm sure she would be shocked at the things her character is involved in.

What would your readers be surprised to know about you?

That I live with a man 26 years younger than me?

What are your goals for your writing career?

Some day I would like to be able to live comfortably off the income of my books. But, I have and will continue to write when it creates a deficit.

How much of a story do you know before you begin writing it?

Sometimes only a title. Other times a character. I love to let my characters tell their own story. I try to keep them reined in and make sure things are logical but I usually find that the story will take off on its own. I have tried outlining but that doesn't seem to work for me. Sometimes, after I've got the basics down, I'll go through chapter by chapter and do an outline just to see if I am tracking straight.

Did you have any problems completing this story or any stories that you write?

Not so far. It seems that if you just stay with it, it will all come together. It may take time but I usually get it all down and then have to go back in fill in the gaps.

Do you have an agent? If no, have you ever considered getting one?

No, I don't have one. I have met and talked to a few but I don't feel like I need one right now. I came close once, but the man only wanted to represent people who would hit the top ten seller's list right away and I felt that was unrealistic.

How did you find your publisher and do you enjoy working with the editors?

Actually, The Homesteader had been accepted by another publisher before I went to Wings. The president of the company insisted I had a "Best Seller" on my hands. (She was right, I guess, in a way because it was Wings' Best Seller for May.) Then I got an email that she had died in her sleep and that the company was sending all manuscripts back. So I had to go looking for another publisher. I honestly don't remember how I stumbled across Wings. But, I'm glad I did. They are bringing out another book of mine, Goodbye is Forever, in March and are currently considering the sequel, Homesteader's Legacy, for publication. In the meantime, Whiskey Creek Press has Blue Coat scheduled for April release and we are editing it right now.

The editors have been great! Most of my writing education has been from the school of hard knocks so there were a couple of things I did consistently that had to be corrected. They were good editors and I am now working with an editor in Great Britain on Blue Coat.

Do you have a website?

Yes. It is http://hometown.aol.com/mjkel/myhomepage/index.html

Do you have a link where anyone can buy your books that you would like to share with us?

Most of them can be purchased at Amazon.com. Either at the regular site for 4 of them or the Zshop with Paw Prints for the newer ones. The Homesteader is available at Wings-Press.com. Or people can contact me at mjkel@aol.com.

Thank you so much for stopping by Mary Jean. For anyone looking for sizzling books filled with exciting adventures, look no further. Stop by Mary Jean’s website to see what you don’t want to miss. It has been a pleasure talking with you and best of luck to you in your writing career.

Thank you, Linda. I have enjoyed reading your work and look forward to hearing from Fallen Angels readers.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

I might add that The Homesteader is up for an EPPIE against 35 other Historical Romances. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I even final. It would be so exciting!

And so will we. Good luck.

Interviewed by: Linda