Mary Walsh's Blog, page 4
January 4, 2021
Book #10 is coming 2/28/21!
My tenth book Once Upon a Time in Chicago is being released on February 28th!
It's historical fiction centering around the coming-of-age of Sal Scavuzzo, a Sicilian-American. During Prohibition, he drinks, gambles, and is a hit with the dames. When he gets in too deep with the local organized crime, his carefree lifestyle turns upside down. Does he continue his reckless way or does he go the straight and narrow?
Pre-order links and ARC signups will be coming in early February.
Stay tuned!
It's historical fiction centering around the coming-of-age of Sal Scavuzzo, a Sicilian-American. During Prohibition, he drinks, gambles, and is a hit with the dames. When he gets in too deep with the local organized crime, his carefree lifestyle turns upside down. Does he continue his reckless way or does he go the straight and narrow?
Pre-order links and ARC signups will be coming in early February.
Stay tuned!
December 17, 2020
Character names
How to come up with the perfect character name... the struggle is real!
Sometimes my character names are specifically planned as a subplot - like Elle in Fine Spirits Served Here. She is named after Ella Fitzgerald and her five siblings are named after other famous musicians. Some of my characters are named by their specific ethnicity - like Sal Scavuzzo, a Sicilian immigrant in upcoming Once Upon a Time in Chicago. But then there are others who are secondary or tertiary characters and they might not have a specific background. I hate to use monosyllabic names like John or Lynn because I think they got lost in the shuffle. Nor do I like oddly spelled names like Krystina without an explanation because I think it's unnecessary. But yet each character name can't be too close to another, like Morgan and Maddie, otherwise they might get mixed up. How do I come up with the perfect name? That's when I go to baby name sites and find every name I could ever want!
Do you pay attention to character names?
Have any stood out to you?
Sometimes my character names are specifically planned as a subplot - like Elle in Fine Spirits Served Here. She is named after Ella Fitzgerald and her five siblings are named after other famous musicians. Some of my characters are named by their specific ethnicity - like Sal Scavuzzo, a Sicilian immigrant in upcoming Once Upon a Time in Chicago. But then there are others who are secondary or tertiary characters and they might not have a specific background. I hate to use monosyllabic names like John or Lynn because I think they got lost in the shuffle. Nor do I like oddly spelled names like Krystina without an explanation because I think it's unnecessary. But yet each character name can't be too close to another, like Morgan and Maddie, otherwise they might get mixed up. How do I come up with the perfect name? That's when I go to baby name sites and find every name I could ever want!
Do you pay attention to character names?
Have any stood out to you?
December 2, 2020
Book Events
If you're like me, you were bummed that many book events were canceled this year. (Darn Covid) I'm happy to announce that I will be an attending author of 5 events in 2021. The first one is on March 26, 2021 in Pittsburgh. So if you're in the Pittsburgh area in late March, come to Authors in Steel City. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. See you in the 'Burgh!
November 18, 2020
1st person vs. 3rd person POV
I don't know about you, but I struggle writing 3rd person POV. I never feel like I'm inside my characters' heads in 3rd person. 1st person is easier for me because I can have my MC state all the smart (and dumb) responses inside his/her mind without the other characters realizing what a buffoon they are. LOL!
My WIP Once Upon a Time in Chicago (which will be released in February 2021) is written in 3rd person POV. I hate to admit that I struggled with it from beginning to end and it took a long time for me to write (7 months!) because I avoided it. Ironically, as soon as I wrote "The End" on the first draft, a week later I started my next WIP - in 1st person and the sentences are flowing out of me.
Do you prefer 1st person or 3rd person POV?
Do you like being inside the MC's head at all times?
My WIP Once Upon a Time in Chicago (which will be released in February 2021) is written in 3rd person POV. I hate to admit that I struggled with it from beginning to end and it took a long time for me to write (7 months!) because I avoided it. Ironically, as soon as I wrote "The End" on the first draft, a week later I started my next WIP - in 1st person and the sentences are flowing out of me.
Do you prefer 1st person or 3rd person POV?
Do you like being inside the MC's head at all times?
