Ask the Author: Mary Kubica
Answered Questions (156)
Mary Kubica
I haven't read that yet, but it's on my list of books to read! I adore Gilly MacMillan, Kimberly McCreight, T. Greenwood, Heather Gudenkauf, Pam Jenoff, Jillian Cantor, Carla Buckley and so many more!
Mary Kubica
I often think of Jeremy Sisto for Colin and maybe Emily Stone for Mia. I think Mark Ruffalo would make a terrific Gabe as well. Am so looking forward to seeing the film version!
Mary Kubica
I haven't yet, but it's definitely on my list of books to read!
Mary Kubica
I would love to see my novels made into movies. The Good Girl has been optioned for film, and I'm very excited to see what becomes of it!
Mary Kubica
Hi there! Thanks for the kind comments and the terrific questions. My novels usually just start out as a vague idea or concept that develop into much more over time. I do enjoy writing novels with a dark side! I don't necessarily set out to make them so dark, but for whatever reason, that's where I'm drawn when creating my characters. Hope you enjoy Don't You Cry.
Mary Kubica
When I started the novel, I just had the idea of exploring the disappearance of a young woman and the mysterious appearance of a young woman in another town. I wasn't quite sure who all the characters would be or how the story might unfold, but was eager to explore this juxtaposition on the page. Hope you enjoy it!
Mary Kubica
Hi there! Thanks so much for the kind comments! I feel that Don't You Cry is a bit more like The Good Girl than Pretty Baby, but different in many ways too. The characters are younger, and so though it's still an adult novel, I feel it could appeal to a YA crowd as well. Hope you enjoy it - and I will definitely have to get back to Ela again soon!
Mary Kubica
I started writing when I was a little girl, but it was more of a hobby for me. It wasn't until I wrote my first novel The Good Girl that I really felt it was something I wanted to try and get published. But this is a very subjective industry, so what one agent or publisher loves another may not - so my advice is that when you're in the process of querying agents, don't give up! It can be a long and grueling process, but you only need one agent to love your work so keep looking until you find that one. Best of luck to you!
Mary Kubica
Writing was always a hobby of mine, something I was passionate about since I was a little girl. But I actually worked as a high school teacher before writing my first book rather than having another position in the publishing industry.
Mary Kubica
If I remember correctly, I classified it as either general suspense, or even women's fiction. Hope that helps!
Mary Kubica
What a great question! Truly, I feel reviews are more important - and intended for - other readers and not the writers themselves. This is such a subjective industry, so what one person loves about a book, another may hate. I go into it with that understanding - though that isn't to say that a good review still doesn't make my day. It does!
Mary Kubica
With The Good Girl, I was intrigued by exploring the idea of a kidnapping that was not quite what it seemed. I didn't know who the characters would all be or how the story would unfold, but was eager to give it and try and see what would be come of it! And no, my characters are actually entirely fictional! Thanks so much.
Mary Kubica
Hi Piper, I'm not as familiar with self publishing and I know the vast majority of traditional publishers are seeking agented authors. Have you queried agents with your manuscript? Curiouser Editing seems to be a wonderful resource for those seeking to go to self-publishing route: http://www.curiouserediting.com/ There might be some information there for you? So sorry I couldn't be of more help.
Mary Kubica
That's amazing! Thank you!
Mary Kubica
Thanks, Veronica! I actually just got word on the Spanish translation today! The Good Girl (Una Buena Chica) will be released in September of 2016 and Pretty Baby in June 2017.
Mary Kubica
It is the kind of thing that would go unnoticed to a reader, but in Pretty Baby, Heidi picks up a copy of Anne of Green Gables from a used book store, and as she opens it, the previous owner's belongings fall out: a bookmark and a photograph of a girl with her grandfather. There is also an inscription on the book. I borrowed these from a book I have that used to belong to my grandparents. The inscription is verbatim, and the photograph description is one of my grandfather and me when I was a little girl. I love including small tidbits like this in my novels that are very personal to me.
Mary Kubica
When I started The Good Girl, I began with the idea of a kidnapping that wasn't quite what it seemed to be. I didn't have all the pieces figured out, and I certainly didn't yet have that epilogue in mind, but I knew I wanted to create a kidnapping tale that was different than all the rest. The Before/After timeline and Mia's amnesia were the first twists I put in to give it a unique feel, and then I created the characters and watched as their stories unfolded on the page. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Mary Kubica
Thank you!! I love reading suspense. Some of my favorites are Sabine Durrant, Heather Gudenkauf, Paula Daly, Megan Abbott, SJ Watson, and so many more! For Pretty Baby, my inspiration was the opening scene - the first time Heidi encounters Willow waiting beside the train with the baby in her arms. I had that image in my mind, and I didn't know who these women were or how their lives would overlap, but I was determined to find out. So glad you enjoyed it!
Mary Kubica
Thanks so much! I actually often have no idea of the ending for my novels, but come to it through the process of writing. I can't wait to hear what you think of Don't You Cry!
Mary Kubica
I was absolutely terrified. It is so difficult to be open and honest on the pages of a book, and then send it out into the world to fend for itself. I experienced all sorts of emotions, from fear and anxiety, grief, to overwhelming happiness and excitement. It takes guts to put your work out there in the world, but when the time came I took a deep breath and told myself, "Whatever happens, happens," and found comfort in the fact that I gave the book my all, and that was the best I could do - and I was absolutely elated to discover people were enjoying the book! Best of luck to you! You can do it!
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