STOLEN OBSESSION was the winner in the BEST COVER DESIGN in the fiction category of the 2018 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Marlene Bell.
What is the name of your book?
What’s the first line?
“A ground fog shrouded investigators while they unearthed her roommate from the black dirt of a farmer’s field.”
Describe STOLEN OBSESSION using seven words.
An Ancient Curse Follows Three Jewelry Pieces
The story behind the story. What was the inspiration?
After I completed a work of non-fiction for family and friends in 2009 and enjoyed the experience, I challenged myself to write a romance novel. It seemed like an exhilarating idea and I thought it would be easy. How tough was telling a story?
Looking back, eight years later, the inspiration for writing fiction was my burning desire to delve into another creative outlet I hadn’t tried. I expected writing would come as naturally as painting and photography had for me, but I was wrong. Of all the projects I’ve ever undertaken, writing has been the most time-consuming and difficult. It took me two years to write a first draft—the only work of fiction I’d ever written. Editing it to perfection seems comical today when so much was wrong with the original manuscript. It’s true that first drafts are supposed to stink like mine had. I didn’t know what genre fiction was, let alone what genre I had written. Time spent honing my craft made STOLEN OBSESSION a project I’m proud of.
Did you design the cover yourself? If not, who did and how did you find them (they did another cover you admired, they were recommended, etc)?
I’ve hired a super team! As an artist, I’m drawn to clear images with lots of detail. I believe in leaving book cover art to the pros and I’ll stick to writing. What better way to come up with a unique cover than to look at books that have won cover awards? This is how I found Steam Power Studios of Australia. Their cover for THE STATION MASTER’S COTTAGE had just won an award, and I loved the concept. I could picture having this husband and wife team bring my story to life on the cover. We were a collaboration of my ideas and their know-how. The necklace we feature was an original piece the artist made specifically using my book description. We sent photos back and forth until we came up with just the right depiction. We were all thrilled with the final result and many judges had the same feeling. STOLEN OBSESSION has won two cover awards so far in 2018.
What, if any, elements of the book did you want to convey in the cover design?
The story in the book travels across the Atlantic to the Aegean Sea and beyond. We knew a water element was needed because of a pivotal yacht scene and of course, show the piece of jewelry in question that caused all of the heartache for the characters. I didn’t expect the graphic artist to play with individual grains of sand though! The cover of STOLEN OBSESSION is truly a work of art. Can’t wait to see how they attack the second book in the series!
What was the most challenging aspect of writing STOLEN OBSESSION?
The toughest part of writing this novel was learning the craft. Most frustrating was reading best-selling authors who don’t follow the same writing rules as new authors. My reading choices were books from well-known authors. Trying to emulate them in my work was a huge mistake. Agent critiques through online sources continually dinged me for my creative hyperbole and leading the reader with telling the story versus showing character interaction. It was hard to know which author to read because of the bad habits I had picked up in my writing. Until I understood that debut authors “should” follow certain rules, but not necessarily, and edits and critiques were all subjective, I struggled. So much depends on author voice and how compelling the story is written with the reader in mind.
Being afraid to read other authors’ works for fear of plagiarizing was another huge stumbling block I had to overcome. A writer can’t write without reading. Only reading creates an atmosphere for a writer’s words to flow onto the paper. In my case, being a stickler for details and perfection prolonged the release of my first book in the Annalisse Series. I’m one of those constant manuscript editors that critique groups and writing mentors warn debut authors about. I doubt I’ll ever break the habit, but it gives me something else to work on for the remainder of the series.
Describe your background.
I grew up in an era where a college education wasn’t the be-all-to-end-all. My family couldn’t afford a college degree for us, and attending a junior college had no appeal for me. I wanted to become a professional artist and felt that a college degree wouldn’t necessarily help me achieve my goals since talent meant more than opening the books. It may have, but I had tired of schooling.
In 1978, I met my future husband on a blind date, set up by my boss’s son. I worked at the Modesto airport for a fixed base operator, and Gregg Bell was in pilot training at our satellite office in Tracy, CA. I was the city girl who loved animals and Gregg had sheep. He lived on acreage and exposed me to the calming rural atmosphere I knew suited me and my art.
I had a business opportunity in the early 1980’s after marrying Gregg, when he suggested I create sheep related stationery and sell it in a catalog. While working full time in Pleasanton, CA, I put drawings onto paper in the office breakroom during lunch. The business even allowed me to ship my products via UPS from their establishment. I studied how to start a sideline mail-order business while I worked. My catalog venture, Ewephoric, became a reality in 1985.
We’ve raised several different breeds of sheep along the way and were heavily involved in helping families and 4Her’s learn how to raise sheep. We grew our flock numbers to 120 head when we made our move to East Texas in 2012. We now raise purebred Horned Dorset sheep exclusively where I use my photography and nature artwork as models on over 200 products. Occasionally, I write articles for animal husbandry magazines regarding sheep health. In many circles, I’m know as, “The Sheep Lady.” Although, my husband still calls me, “The Mail Order Queen.” I love mail order! Both buying and selling.
Describe your writing schedule. Do you outline? Any habits?
I try to write something every day. Whether it’s in a current work in progress or notes in a word document for future installments in the Annalisse Series. First thing in the morning, I open a book and read. Even if it’s only for a half-hour, I read. Reading keeps my mind untied and unleashes more cohesiveness to my writing.
My first manuscript drafts were done without an outline. This created too many plot lines and plot holes. By the 5th draft of STOLEN OBSESSION, my editor recommended an outline before I wrote the next draft. She asked to approve it before the draft. I’m task regimented anyway, and using the outline method made better sense for a writer like myself. The second installment in the Annalisse Series, SPENT IDENTITY, was outlined before work began.
If I have days where the words won’t spill onto the manuscript, I put writing aside and pick up a book. Once I’ve read a few chapters, I can get back to my own work in progress.
What books are on your nightstand? What are you currently reading?
The complete Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon is strewn across the table of my reading room just off the bedroom. I’m a voracious reader of Karen Rose romantic suspense and those who write in a similar third-person like myself. Before I started the fiction-writing journey, I used to read Nora Roberts romance and a few others like James Patterson, but find it harder to read them these days. I don’t want to pick up the earlier bad habits in my writing, and it still infuriates me how often they write outside the lines for the rest of us!
I’m currently about to dive into, EYESHOT, by Taylor Adams and hallway through, THE GOOD DAUGHTER, by Karin Slaughter. On average, I have two books open to read with one ready to go at all times.
Which authors inspire you?
I’m amazed by Diana Gabaldon’s power to write compelling characters and bring a reader into their worlds with intricate details. I purchase every Karen Rose book as it comes out because she has the uncanny ability to write a wide variety of characters without making them sound the same. Her dialog is excellent and villains admirable. I’m always looking for new authors to add to the list of my beloved favorites. Supporting indie authors is important to me.
What have you learned from your publishing experience?
I’ve found its okay to write sloppy sentences, move on, and go back to fix them later. Boggy manuscript drafts and editor criticism are part of the process for a good novel. Challenging yourself to work on something completely out of the box is invigorating to the soul!
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Just because the process is hard, don’t give up. I’ve found anything that comes easily won’t be worth a damn in the end. It’s the hard stuff, doing the hard things, that makes the journey worthwhile.
Think about something else other than writing when you’re blocked—take a break. Don’t force it when words don’t come. Go outside. Take a walk in nature. Marvel at what’s around you. Take a journal with you and watch people interact with each other. Record their mannerisms and quirks. Use this in your writing and you’ll see an immediate improvement.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
My dream team of players would be: Anne Hathaway as Annalisse. She would do my main character justice with her big, innocent eyes and dark hair. The personality she exudes in her acting would also be a match to my character. Alec Zavos’s mother, Generosa would have to be Helen Mirren. She’d slide into the part nicely as a matchmaking, strong-willed, flamboyant art gallery owner. As far as Alec, Annalisse’s love interest, hands down—Bradley Cooper! Just look at him. Enough said.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Our 4H club wanted me to write a book on our experiences raising sheep. I published a memoir and how-to book for sheep raising in 2009. The experience was so much fun, I thought it would be a great idea to write a novel. Yikes! I had no idea how much work was involved in learning the craft. The longer I worked, the more I enjoyed writing.
What does your usual writing habit look like?
I try to write every day. First thing in the morning after the sheep are fed. By 10 a.m. and write until 4 p.m. on a good day. On very good days, I can knock out a single chapter in 4-5 hours of work. 1-2 chapters each week.
What are you working on now?
I’m brainstorming the next cover in the Annalisse Series called, SPENT IDENTITY. My cover designers are wonderful and so talented! STOLEN OBSESSION’s cover has won Two (2) cover awards for 2018! The Independent Book Award and Indie Reader Discovery Award. We are very excited to keep that momentum going for the next book. STOLEN OBSESSION is a hard act to follow. The second book in the Annalisse Series is currently out of outline form and underway. SPENT IDENTITY finds Annalisse in the middle of saving the family farm when a stranger is found dead in one of their barns. Then Annalisse’s aunt, the only living relative with the farm, disappears.