Today I’d like to welcome Mary Alice Pritchard to Fallen Angel Reviews. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for us today Mary Alice.

Since everybody needs a break, even when doing something they love, how do you like to spend your time away from writing?

I love to read so reading is one way and the perfect way is to relax outside in the shade with a good book! I also enjoy traveling and often drive up and down the Natchez Trace just to ride and see the country side. I wonder how many other people out there listen to books on tape while you ride?

When did you start writing?

I've been writing since I was old enough to read just about. I read most everything they would let me read in our hometown library so when there wasn’t anything to read, I started creating my own stories.

How long did it take you to get published?

I just started writing to become published last year after a Romantic Times Book Lover's Convention. I met so many supportive people there who encouraged me and in January of 2006, Inara offered a contract! Since then they have closed and I’ve signed with Triskelion Publishing.

Can you tell us about your book scheduled to be released in April,See How They Die?

It’s a dark romantic suspense with paranormal elements in that the heroine is psychic and the hero has his own unique abilities. It’s set in a rural community in Arkansas in late fall.

Rhiannon’s dreams come true only they’re really nightmares. They predict the violent death of people she’s touched at some point in her life. They haunt her over and over until it’s too late for the victims. Rhi can’t hide anymore when the latest victims are found close by. Determined to help the local sheriff stop a madman before he kills again, Rhi has to set aside her own fears placing her trust and just maybe her life into the hands of another lost soul.

Gavin’s unique abilities made him one of the army’s best specialists for over eight years. When his partner called it quits, Gavin mustered out as well. Now Matt needs his special brand of help to stop a serial killer. How can a man seemingly beyond redemption offer a woman afraid of living a light to hold onto while she explores the sick mind of a killer? Can Rhi’s touch awaken the light within his soul and keep them both safe?

What comes to you first, the character(s) or the plot?

Actually, it depends. Sometimes a character will speak to me and I write what comes from him or her. Normally though, I have a scene or story line in my head and just write. It all comes together while I write. I also tend to play the "What if..." game. I'll see something interesting like a briefcase on the side of the road or three kids about eleven or twelve buying groceries alone and just start wondering why, what if, and how?

What's your next step to help flesh out your story and do you have a formula that you follow to create your characters?

I tend to write first and then once I have a fairly good idea of what is going on in the story, I stop and do a scene outline. I just list the major scenes in the order they happen and then fill in other scenes that will pull it all together. The other thing I do is free write. If a scene is bothering me, I just write whatever flows until I am focused again and then continue. Later, I will cut and revise what is necessary for the scene and the rest is put into a file for reference.

As for my characters, once they’ve run around in my head for awhile, I do an interview like sketch with them. I ask them questions and fill in the answers much like you are doing now. The only difference is that I don't ask the same questions for every character. I ask the ones that seem to match what I need to know about that character.

How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?

Actually, a lot of my life experiences are in my writing. Almost none of my own personality is though. I tend to write how I would have liked something to turn out and how I wish I would have acted instead of how I did. My characters tend to be the opposite of me. The women are stronger and more self assured than I am. They say and do all the things I wish I had said or done. In other words, I am living through my characters! :-)

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

That I could actually forget that one or more of my characters weren't real people! They talk so much and take up so much of my subconscious that sometimes I forget. Now I understand a little more about those of you who really take the Soaps so seriously! :-)

When you begin writing a story, do you have a pre-planned idea of where it will end, or does it change as you go along?

I normally don't have a clue of where it will go until about half way. Even then it’s surprised me a time or two! If I write a short story that is supposed to have a certain ending, I can normally hold my muses to that ending, but a book ... no way can I force them to go where I think it should go.

Could you tell us readers a little bit about your works in progress?

Presently, I'm finishing Book Two of the Unfinished Business series, Ghostly Intentions. Book One, Ghostly Mistakes is waiting on edits right now and the release date hasn’t been decided yet. Book Three is Ghostly Regrets and I’ve set it up but haven’t started as of yet.

The sequel to See How They Die, is about halfway complete and is entitled, See How He Falls. I’ll finish it right after I complete Ghostly Intentions. I also have three other single titles in various stages but I’m focusing on the others right now.

What is the one thing you've always wanted to do but never had the courage / opportunity to try?

Oh my! I'm not sure there is anything I've really wanted to do and didn't try. (wink) There are several things I would like to do and don't have the time or the money. As most of us don’t have that money tree in our back yard I think you know what I mean.

I guess water skiing and snow skiing would be the closest I could come up with. I always wanted to as a teenager but it wasn't allowed and I never really had the opportunity to try it. Maybe that and scuba diving.

How did you celebrate selling your first book?

Now you are really going to laugh at this one! I went with my parents to an antique mall and treated myself to a beautiful cat picture and statue. I collect cat things. It’s a terrible weakness of mine.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers today?

Just that I love to hear what people think about my writing and what they would like to see a book about. Visit my webpage and blog and let me know your thoughts! Oh and check out my fabulously MAG Cover for See How They Die!

Thank you so much for spending time with us today! Readers be sure to visit Mary Alice’s website and blog.

Interviewed by: Tammy