How Reading Improves Your Writing: Author Interview with Marianne Rice

You have now published multiple books. How do you keep the writing fresh? 
As far as keeping my writing fresh? I read a lot. Like, a lot a lot. Last year, I read close to 200 books. I love to read across genres (all romance): small town, sports, sweet, spicy, billionaire, mafia, a tiny bit of fantasy, and even some dark. I’m a mood reader and a mood writer. I haven’t had writer’s block yet. My problem is I have too many books I want/need to write.

What are your writing goals for 2026?
I write under two pen names, and my goal is to be more balanced between the two. For Marianne Rice, I’m working on a new small town sports series. The first book comes out this summer, and I’m writing the second one now. And of course, the next book in my Balsam Grove Christmas series will be out in the fall.

With my other pen name (it’s spicier so I keep it separate from this one), I have a football romance releasing in March and a new mafia series coming out this summer.

Give me a short blurb on your latest book to entice readers to get it.
My last release was A Very Merry Rescue, a sweet holiday romance.

Olivia’s magical holiday event aims to find homes for shelter pups, complete with festive sweaters and twinkling lights. But when an electrical meltdown strikes, she reluctantly calls grumpy electrician Ethan Shepherd.

Initially there just to save the day, Ethan is determined to avoid Olivia’s chaotic holiday cheer. However, as snow falls and lights twinkle, her infectious spirit begins to thaw his icy heart. This season, they discover that the best things in life are often unexpected—and sometimes need a little rescuing.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Imposter syndrome is the worst. Whenever a reader reaches out to say something–anything–about one of my books, it lights a fire under me and it gives me the writing inspiration I need.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Great question. I hate going the sales pitch route, but I have fun making videos on Tik Tok and Instagram. They’re entertaining and show my personality, and sometimes my books. I’m not sure if they actually translate into sales, but for now, I enjoy it.

How I sell the most paperback books is at craft fairs, especially during the holidays. I meet so many new readers, and many of my newsletter subscribers who are local come out to see me. It’s great fun!

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
Everything. :-)

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
My advice: write what you love. Don’t follow fads and trends if they’re not for you. Eventually, what you’re writing will BE the fad/trend. If your writing is forced, your readers will feel that.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
Oh, the dreaded synopsis/blurb. Nope. I don’t have one written for my next release. Funny story. I write the book, edit it a few times, then send it to my editor, and THEN come up with a title and blurb. It’s when I book my cover artist that really makes me commit.

So, all I can tell you about my late spring/early summer release is that it’s a small town hockey romance with all the feels. Stay tuned for more details!

That's all for today's interview. Hope you'll check out her links below to learn more about her books.
Website: www.mariannerice.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marianne-Rice/author/B00SICUIRM
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marianne-rice?list=author_books
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/list/13477232.Marianne_Rice

And here's a couple tips for getting a free eBook. Leave a short comment on this post that includes your name and how to contact you. You'll be entered to win a eBook of Easy to Love, a small town, billionaire romance. We'll choose one winner at the end of next week.

Sign up for her newsletter and get a free eBook: 

 https://dl.bookfunnel.com/4gfxdkqnyc

Tips for Creating Character Depth: Author Interview with Lori Soard

You have now published multiple books, but what inspired you to write that first book?
My first book. No one will ever see it. It is horrendous, but I learned a lot writing that book. I was always an avid reader, but I was bored with the same story. I had an idea for a romance novel with unique characters. They wouldn't leave me alone. I started writing for fun. My father-in-law was one of my biggest supporters in everything I ever tried. He loved that I was writing and bought me this electric typewriter. Back then, it would let you type a line or two and look at it before you put it on the page. It was a mini word process. It wouldn't be long until I bought my first desktop computer (they were expensive back then) and learned the world of full word processing, but that was my first foray into writing novels.

Tell me about your latest book.
I just released a new nonfiction book last week for burnt-out homemakers called The Burnt-Out Homemaker's Guide. My last romance was Meringue Melody, which is set in 1928 Maine in a tea room. It's part of the Apron Strings Tea Tales series with multiple authors. Each of our books is inspired by a fairy tale. I had the Little Mermaid. (I love this idea for a book series!)

What are your writing goals for 2026?
I'm releasing my first cozy mystery series. It will, of course, be clean and the main character is a Christian woman who has no qualms about witnessing to people when they are open to it. It will be called the Mildred Wiggins Mystery Series. Mildred is quirky and bold and so much fun. I hope my readers love her as much as I do.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
It isn't what you'd think. I've been traditionally published. For many authors, you'd think that would be the encouragement. What truly encourages me is when a reader emails me and says how something I wrote touched them or made them feel better or gave them new perspective. I pray over every book that God will use me as his vessel for just this purpose. When I get an email like that, it helps me see His greater plan. It isn't about book sales or accolades. It's about connection with other humans and sharing Christ with them.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks?
Building my newsletter list has been most effective over the past year, but it is constantly changing. Facebook just had a huge update to its ads and I'm still trying to figure out how to best use ads there again. It isn't easy to market these days. There are many people advertising. I would tell people to be themselves. Let your personality shine through and those who are meant to connect with you will.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner?
You need to make time to write every week. You can't sit on your story idea for a year, telling yourself you're blocked. Just write. It doesn't matter if it's awful. You can always edit, rework sections. You need something to start with, though. I would advise even the busiest person who wants to write more to spend at least 15 minutes a day.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
I used to work with Fern Michaels when I promoted authors a gazillion years ago. She was so sweet to me and offered to critique a chapter for me. She was encouraging but pointed out something that I've always remembered. She told me to get inside the character's skin more. I had my heroine broken down in a snow storm and unsure how to get to safety and she stopped to notice the beautiful sunset. Fern was like, "Would YOU stop and look at a sunset if panic was setting in other then to note it was getting dark?" It was a good lesson in character depth that changed my perspective.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
If you feel called to write, don't let anyone discourage you. You can learn better grammar, better plotting, hire editors. You have a unique story to tell that no one else has. God made you on purpose for a purpose and he can use that through your stories.

What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
My Mildred Wiggins mystery will release this summer. It is titled Murder on Mulberry Lane. Mildred notices some strange shenanigans at the house on the hill, because she's always watching over her neighborhood. When she sees the police at the house, she knows they need her help and insight.

That's all for today's interview. Since Lori writes in a few different genres, you're sure to find a book that grabs your attention. Here's how you can learn more about her books.

https://lorisoard.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLoriSoard/

And here are some bonus tips for my readers... If you sign up for her newsletter, you will get a free novella and she'll send some bonus materials to introduce Mildred Wiggins. https://authorlorisoard.eo.page/freestory

Plus...This post includes the cover for her first Mildred Wiggins book. You are the first readers  to see it as she hasn't done a cover reveal yet. Leave a comment with the title of that new book, and one person will  win an eBook of their choice. Write down that title now!