Marianne Arkins Interview

Well, it's Friday and you've had enough of my ramblings for the week. So...I'm very pleased to introduce fellow Samhain author,
Marianne Arkins, and her new humorous contemporary romance, "One Love For Liv".

Marianne, tell us what “One Love for Liv” is all about.
It’s about a sheltered, snobbish and wealthy woman who believes that her “perfect” fiancé is cheating on her. Afraid to let anyone know, she decides to play private investigator herself and see if she can find the truth. Her endeavor throws her into a whole different and foreign world full of people who eat with their fingers, strange animals and even stranger people.


How did you come up with the idea?
Liv was originally a secondary character in another book. I ended up writing her out, but I really liked her—she was snobby and neurotic and fun, so I knew I had to use her again, and preferably as the heroine in her own story. Of course, I had to throw her into a situation so completely opposite of her own life, so I created characters and setting that were a complete 180 from her own world.


Take us through a “good” writing day. What does your writing process look like? (are there any MUST HAVE snacks or drinks you have on hand? LOL!)
I don’t know if I’ve ever had a “good” writing day. I typically squeeze in my writing when and where I can. Massive amounts of coffee with chocolate soy milk in the morning, and diet Coke with Lime during the day. Chocolate is always good – the darker the better.


Are you generally a plotter or a panster (or like me…both)?
More pantser, I suppose, though I do extensive character interviews and brainstorm about 15 – 20 scenes before I start to write. I also, know the end before I begin… and often times I’ll actually write the final scene or scenes shortly after I begin to write the story. I like to know where I’m headed, even though I may not really know how to get there.


How long did it take to write this book?
“One Love For Liv” was actually my 2005 NaNoWriMo novel, so technically it only took me 28 days to write. BUT… it took me another 18 months to edit and tidy it up to the point it was ready for submission.


Who are some of your favorite authors?
Jennie Crusie, Nora Roberts, Julie Garwood, Lyndsay Sands, Deborah MacGillivray… all autobuys for me. But I love to discover new authors, and will try just about anything once.

Are you working on anything new at the moment?
I’m always working on projects! I’m editing the novel that Liv originally appeared in and hope to have it submitted in the next couple of months, I’m working on my first mystery (I’m about two-thirds of the way through the first draft), I have a fantasy I started for NaNoWriMo that I love, and I have a shortish story under consideration with Samhain. I’m also toying with the idea of writing something for The Wild Rose Press’s “Got Wolf” contest. I always have projects going … I can’t imagine not writing!


Thanks, Marianne!

Remember to check out Marianne's Website and Blog for more information about her and her books.

Have a great weekend!