Today we’d like to introduce you to Mara Duryea.
Hi Mara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started writing in small journals from the store when I was in middle school. Not only did I need to get the stories out of my head, but it was also a coping mechanism. I detested middle school and I had to escape somewhere. Many students went to drugs, gangs, and alcohol. I escaped into my world.
I knew if Heavenly Father approved, I could do it. I attribute everything to Him. Once He said “keep going,” no amount of naysayers and doubters were going to stop me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It wasn’t a smooth road. People who should have supported me didn’t. One actually refused to look at my stuff and said he only read good stories. Another said I should be writing about fairies because of my appearance. When she found out I didn’t, she assumed I had mental issues.
Finding out the process of writing and publishing was like pulling teeth. I came in contact with published authors who blatantly refused to help me.
Of course, learning how to write wasn’t learned in school. I mean creative writing. That came when I began writing in magazines.
When I finally got published, I ran into editors of magazines who wouldn’t publish my works because of petty details. One didn’t like how I described my own skin color. She demanded I describe things like that her way. It was frustrating.
Finally, my books were ready for publication. The first covers costed too much for something extremely generic. They attracted the very audience who thought I was trash, therefore, they obviously didn’t like the book. Thank goodness for my new cover artist. She’s actually a massive fan. She’s done books 3 and 4 and is redoing 1 and 2.
My series is called Monsters and Demons, but because my characters fight them. Many people just run away without looking, without explanation, and act like I’ve written something demonic.
It isn’t demonic. That’s a bump I don’t understand.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a writer.
I began writing horror. I was very good at it. I was called “masterful.” One of my stories was used as the standard for a magazine and I had two magazine editors vie for it. They even contacted each other to discuss it. I was really happy about that one.
I really love my books. I feel Heaven when I write them.
My books can’t be compared to anything out there. There is no Lord of the Rings meets The Hunger Games, or anything like that. It’s different. No copycat, no A.I.
I pray over each book, each story, each brainstorm to reach the maximum wonder. Heavenly Father is right there with me, helping me and giving me the right ideas and goals.
Sometimes I don’t know why I should add this or that, but I do, and it manifests later in another book, helping THAT storyline. So, pretty amazing.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Heavenly Father is. Nothing works without Him. If something seems to fail, but He says “keep going,” “be still,” or gives direction, then I do it. He’ll always bring you out on top.
Pricing:
- Nri Kryne paperback 20.00
- Renzhies paperback 20.00
- Akrenzhen paperback 25.00
- Idiscents paperback 25.00
- To buy all four on kindle together 38.96
Contact Info:
- Website: https://maraduryea.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparrowincarnate/
