Friday, December 02, 2005

BLOG TOUR - Marilynn Griffith


Welcome to our first blog tour. Our special guest this week is someone I’m proud to call a friend. We met online and our friendship blossom. She always knows when to send me a pick me up email. We talk on the phone for hours never minding we’re in different states.

When she told me her book sold, I probably shouted more than her. I sat up all night reading it, yes its that good. I’m excited the fiction world is getting a chance to know what I’ve know for years, Mary can WRITE.

This is an author you’ll be adding to your I need to get list.

It is my honor to introduce you to my kindred spirit friend, Marilynn Griffith, debut author of Made Of Honor. A Christian Chick Lit book which will make an excellent Christmas present.

Shades Of Romance Magazine: Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.

Marilynn Griffith: Well, let's see... I'm mom to a tribe of kids, wife to a very handsome deacon and blessed to be friends with some wonderful writers, like you, LaShaunda. I love to read, write, speak and all things communication related. I'm the person at the family gatherings who is always either telling a story or listening to one! Before realizing I was a writer life was a bit confusing. I tried everything from secretary to math tutor (that actually worked out pretty well). These days it's family, friends and church activities when I'm not writing. I like blogging though. That's fun.

SORMAG: Tell us about your current book?

GRIFFITH:
Dana Rose pledges to say "I won't" the next time she's asked to be in a wedding. Her weak will has turned her closet into cemetery for satin gowns from periwinkle to Pepto pink. After ten stints as bridesmaid, Dana thinks she's seen it all. Then she's fired, forced to turn her hobby into a business and faced with her prodigal brother, back-stabbing sis and Mr. Practically Perfect, the ex who not only married someone else, but opened the business of her dreams—across the street. There's that Maid of Honor thing too… And this time she can't say no. Will wedding #11 show Dana what's she's really made of?

SORMAG: What inspired this story?

GRIFFITH:
I used to own a seasonal bath and body business. Steeple Hill rejected my first manuscript but they liked my voice. They asked my agent about me doing a chick lit. I didn't know what that was exactly, but the prospect of writing in first person sounded interesting, so I tried it and loved it. I also have had a lot of wonderful single friends over the years.

SORMAG: What would you like your readers to take away from your book?

GRIFFITH:
I'd love for readers of MADE OF HONOR to come away from the book knowing that they are fearfully and wonderfully made and that God delights in them and loves them in an intimate way, despite whatever mess riddles their pasts. Christ stands waiting to embrace them as His bride.

SORMAG: How do you balance writing with your "every day life?"

GRIFFITH:
I don't. LOL Really. I've long since given God that job. He called me to be a wife and mother and a writer. Sometimes (like a deadline week) that doesn't always look like I think it should, but God graced me with the family I was supposed to have. I try to keep the Word first place and keep the lines of communication open so that when things get off balance (too much work, not enough work) we can talk about it. When I try to stop writing to be Super Mom, my kids are like,"Go write something. You're cranky!"

SORMAG: How can readers learn more about your books and get in contact with you?

GRIFFITH:
I can be contacted at marilynngriffith@gmail.com or through comments at my website www.MarilynnGriffith.com .


I'm offering an autograph copy of Made Of Honor to a lucky reader. Post a comment, question and your name will be put in a drawing. Winner will be announced Friday.

Marilynn is on tour all month. Check out the rest of the tour - www.marilynnGriffith.com


9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Miss Mary, we are too proud of you! I agree with LaShaunda's comments on your spirit of encouragment and support. You were made to write, you have so much to give that there had to be a way to get it to all of us.
Loving the excerpt!!! Yes, you were made for first person AND chic lit-:) Cant' wait for the books.

P.S.-I told you I'm want to be just like you when I grow up.

Be blessed,
Jeanette

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary,

Congratulations are truly in order for you. I remember those days on the BWA loop when you moderated the group. You were always encouraging others in writing/publishing craft. God has highly rewarded your efforts, and His best is still yet to come for you.

Blessings to you,
Claudia

upwords said...

Thanks Jeanette and Claudia! And LaShaunda thanks for doing this. I didn't know yours was up! I'm sorry. LOL

Love you,
Marilynn
running to update this on the tour

Bonnie S. Calhoun said...

another great interview LaShaunda and Marilyn....Mary, girl...I just keep learning more and more about you! Good job!

princessdominique said...

Congrats Marilynn!

Anonymous said...

This sounds really good. I will have to add it to my list of must reads.

Connie

Vanessa A. Johnson said...

Made of Honor seems like it would be a fun read. Much success to you in all of your endeavors.

Love & Peace,
VeeJay
www.vanessaajohnson.com
Author, When Death Comes a Knockin'
A self-help, inspirational book about loss and grief.

upwords said...

Thanks Dom, Connie and Vanessa for reading the interview. I hope each of you enjoys MADE OF HONOR. Merry Christmas!

Blessings,
Marilynn

McKenna Jeffries said...

Great interview. Made Of Honor sounds like a really good read. I've added it to my books to read list.

McKenna