Marilyn Leach Interview

Q: Let me start with asking you to tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. Let me say thank you, Susan, for inviting me to be a part of the Suspense Zone. In a nutshell, I was raised in the Mountain Time Zone, attended an urban high school, majored in art in college, and spent five years in missions. But the lion’s share of my career I have spent teaching in public schools serving underprivileged children. I’ve taught them the joy and beauty of creating art.

Q: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

A. I wrote my first play at the age of nine. I didn’t know then that I wanted to write as a profession. That took another forty years for me to figure out. Essentially, I have written for the joy and expression of it most my life.

Q: Could you give us the highlights of your professional writing career including how you got your first writing break?

A: I became the director of drama in my singles group at church while living in California. I started writing vignettes, even got an opportunity to direct professional actors, for church performances. When I moved back to Colorado, I had the opportunity to co-author plays and work with Lavetta McCune, a talented writer/producer/director of Christian theatre. The work was performed at churches as well as secular stages. Being inspired by Barb Nicalosi at a writer’s conference in Estes Park, Colorado, I took the challenge of becoming a full time writer to impact culture to heart, but still kept my “day job”. Four years later, a screenplay written by my gifted nephew and myself was accepted at Act One: Writing for Hollywood and won a semi-final in the Kyros Prize of the John Templeton Screenwriting Competition. My nephew challenged me to write a book, and Advent of a Mystery was born. At a writer’s conference in Estes Park, again, I had a critique with Candace Spears who ended up recommending me to her editor and Barbour Publishing. It was released this past September. Just in the past six months I’ve given up my “day job” to become a full time writer.

Q: Would you tell us about your current book release?

A: Advent of a Mystery is a who-done-it that takes place during Advent at Christmastide. The setting is a small English village. The sleuth in the story is Berdie Elliott, the vicar’s wife. She’s not exactly what the parish expects; she’s a former investigative reporter who has attended her husband, a former military officer and now churchman, to Saint Aidan of the Wood Parish Church. When someone dies under calamitous circumstances, Berdie swings into action and before long the entire village is involved in finding the culprit. Of course, in the end, Berdie wins the day and Christmas is celebrated jubilantly.

Q: What inspires you to write?

A. I know it’s what I’m supposed to be doing right now and there’s nothing more motivating than that assurance. Knowing that people are enjoying the read is the best encouragement. I too enjoy reading. My current read is Five Red Herrings by Dorothy Sayers. Too, there’s great fun in watching British mystery and British comedy. I have multiple DVDs and I try to watch one episode of something every day. One of my favorites is the Miss Marple series with Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. Another is the Hetty Wainthropp series with Patricia Routledge who plays a woman of a certain age that decides to become a detective. It’s all fodder for writing English mysteries.

Q: How has being a published novelist differed from your expectations of the profession?

A: Writing is a natural love for me, but I discovered love is not enough. Conferences, classes, books on specific writing targets, writing exercises, it’s all a part of honing the craft to become a proficient writer. Also, the marketing part of publishing caught me by surprise. With the plays I did in the past, someone else did all the networking and marketing.

Q: Would you share with us what you are working on now?

A: I just finished an article that will go into a Guidepost Compilation on Prayer, Praying Together.. But my big project I’m currently working on is Resurrection of a Mystery. I’ve had readers tell me they want more of Berdie, Aidan Kirkwood, and the community of Saint Aidan of the Woods Parish Church. “Resurrection” takes place during Lent and a strange find is unearthed in the church back garden which leads to a mystery. Lots of twists and turns add to the dilemma. It’s great fun to work on. Of course, in the end, a joyful Easter is had by all.

Q: What is something your readers might be surprised to learn about you?

A. I should think a bit different rather than surprising: I celebrate the Christian Celtic observance of Advent which is observed every night the full forty days preceding Christmas. It’s lovely and it requires you to take time every evening to observe what the Christmas season is truly all about. I’ve found it has reshaped my whole holiday experience. I still observe the four Sundays of Advent as well, but I’ve found the daily observance to add a calmness and peace to what can be a hectic season.

Q: When you’re not writing what do you like to do?

A. I love to travel. According to God’s grace and my pocketbook, I try to visit friends in England when I can. From there, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland are neighbors, with France and the Netherlands an easy Chunnel commute. I love my little lake cottage home, too, where I like to bake, decorate, do arts and crafts, visit with family, and I adore snuggling up to watch one of my favorite English mystery DVDs.

Q: Anything else you’d like to tell or share with us?

A. I should think to follow your passion. If you’re rightly related to the Lord, and you have a burning dream, go for it. Stay committed, be patient, and go for it.