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27 November 2013

Getting to know you Thursday (posted on Wednesday this week) With Marilyn Turk with giveaway

Please welcome Marilyn Turk to my blog today. I have been delayed getting this interview up but it is timely as Marilyn has her story in a Guidepost Christmas book of short stories.


1. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Originally from Louisiana, I moved to Atlanta, GA after college, married and had my three sons and lived there until after my divorce when I was laid off. I moved to Florida in 2004 and started my new life. I married the love of my life, my second husband, five years ago. Together we have four sons and one daughter, two daughters-in-law, and three grandsons ages 3, 4, 6. Although I graduated with a degree in journalism, it was advertising I wanted to do which was in the college of journalism. However, I learned a lot about journalism, meeting deadlines and editing during that time, things which any writer needs to know.

2. When you were a child did you have a favorite book or books? I loved Nancy Drew books.

3. Do you have a favorite Genre to both read and right write? My favorite genre is historical with romance, so I read and write it.

4. Did you have favorite authors growing up who have influenced you? Besides Carolyn Keene who wrote Nancy Drew, I really didn’t have a favorite author.

5. When did you know you wanted to be an author? Writing was always easy for me, so I didn’t consider it a career until much later in life. But I loved Guideposts magazine and read it from cover to cover, so I wanted to be published in it, however my career in sales and my family prevented me from even thinking about writing. 

6. How did you go about becoming an author? When I moved to Florida as an empty-nester, I felt God telling me I now had time to write. I took an online writing course to refresh my memory having  been out of school a long time. I then began attending writers conferences and learning about the craft and business of writing. I thought I’d only write articles and devotions, so that’s what I did and was published in Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. magazine, and The Upper Room. In 2010 I won the Guideposts Writers Workshop and was subsequently published in Guideposts. I hadn’t considered writing a book until I went to conferences and heard people talking about their books. While doing historical research on the area I live in, which is a hobby of mine, the threads of a story formed and my first book was birthed.  I am currently writing my third book while my editor looks for the right publisher for the others.

7. If you were not a writer what would you like to be? I’ve been blessed to achieve most of what I wanted to be. At this point in my life, I wouldn’t want another career.

8. Outside reading and writing what do you like to do? I love tennis and play twice a week. I would play more except that I’m trying to focus on writing and not tennis. I also enjoy taking walks and boating and fishing with my husband. I attempt to garden, but sometimes the Florida heat is brutal on plants. Fortunately, we got a lot of rain this year.

9. Do you have a place you love to visit or would love to visit? I love lighthouses and would love to visit them all over the world. I still have a lot to see in the US though. My husband and I would love to take a trip to Australia and stay a couple of months doing volunteer work. (Jenny here I think you would Love Australia there is so much to see and do)

10. If you could have a meal with 3 living people who would you choose and why? I just met Frank Peretti at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference, and he is really cool. I’d love to talk more with him. Also, I love Lynn Austin’s writing and would love to spend some time with her. Of course, I’d love to get close to Hugh Jackman, but I doubt I could eat if I were. (I know what you mean about Hugh Jackman I would be the same but at least I could talk cricket with him as he is a big fan)

Finally can you tell us about your current books and/or any that will
be coming out soon.
I’ve been published in four Chicken Soup for the Soul books – Devotional Stories for Tough Times, Say Hello to a Better Body, Say Goodbye to Stress, and the most recent, Devotional Stories for Wives, which came out in September.

I also have a short story in a Guideposts book that will be coming out in November called A Cup of Christmas Cheer. There are two books in the collection and my story is in the one called Stories of Joy and Wonder. These will be available through Guideposts.
My website is www.pathwayheart.com or www.marilynturk.com. I post a weekly blog about lighthouses there. I also have a blog on The Writer’s Path on the same website. I’m always looking for lighthouse stories, so if you know any, please contact me. My email is marilynturkwriter@yahoo.com.

Giveaway:
Marilyn is happy to do a giveaway to one American who leaves a comment. To enter just leave a comment saying what you favourite Christmas Carol is and a way to contact you. Entries close Dec 5th. 





8 comments:

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

" O Holy Night" is my favorite Christmas Carol!!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway and God Bless!!!
Blanch,NC
Sarah Richmond
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com

Ausjenny said...

Thanks for commenting Sarah I love O Holy Night from the first time I heard it which just happened to be on Young and the Restlest.

Melissa Jagears said...

O Holy Night for me as well! Nancy Drew was the best, wasn't she? :)

Ausjenny said...

I think its a favourite for alot of people. I love hearing people like Michael Crawford sing it.

Anonymous said...

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear! I sneaked during class and read Nancy Drew! She was my favorite character also...esp "The Clue of the Broken Locket".

Ausjenny said...

beginning to think I lived a sheltered life I never read Nancy Drew.

Marilyn Turk said...

Thanks for hosting me, Jenny.
Yes, "O Holy Night" is one of my favorites too, and our choir will be singing it as part of our Christmas program. Jenny, you need to catch up on Nancy Drew!

Ausjenny said...

Mary you are the winner of these books. Will get in touch.

I have seen some of the nancy drew tv shows.

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