Maryla Mary Storm Interview Published on: 22, Feb 2023
Do you have a simple childhood memory that you could never forget?
Yes, we had a teeter-totter outside. But, I feared it. Because as soon as I would climb onto one end the rest of my siblings would quickly climb onto the other end bringing me quickly high in the air. There my siblings would keep me for what seemed like an eternity. I would be screaming and screaming because I thought I would fall. Mom would come running out and save the day.
Do you remember the first book you ever read?Not exactly but I know Tom Sawyer, House on the Prairie, and Lord of the Flies come to my mind now as being influential in my life.
How were you first introduced to writing?I wrote as a youngin. Since I read books that would take me to other dimensions, other worlds, I liked to write. Someone gave me a small printing set with little rubber stamps with letters on them. I would write a one page newspaper and hawk it to the neighbors for a nickel.
How did assisting other authors in writing and publishing their books help you in writing your writing career?Gosh I would have not gotten far with my own book writing and publishing had it not been for my previous work with other authors. I was helping them with both self-publishing on Createspace and traditional. I relished my hard work that was needed to help a psychiatrist achieve his dream of publishing his book. Most of his book was hand written or already printed in medical papers he had already published in major journals. I would have to take a small note pad of hand written information and transform it into a manuscript. Seemed like an unsurmountable task. Once that was put together I let out a large sigh of relief. Then the real job was before us. The fine fellow I was helping didn’t do computer. This meant every time I produced his manuscript for his perusal I would have to print it out (it was well over 500 pages at one point) and deliver it to him. Usually, I hand delivered. I found I had to date each manuscript edited and collect them-otherwise if he kept them he could get confused as to which one to use. Meanwhile, I was tasked with everything else involved in book publishing; figuring out what needed permissions and going at great length to obtain full permissions online and printed and saved, finding a publisher, and formatting per each publisher’s requirements for submissions, Helping with configuring and ordering the cover, and whatever was needed to finally publish in the summer of 2018! Yeah! Since it was a high caliber scholarly book, the publisher was of the same order and I learned a lifetime of information with this experience.
What encourages you to write Keith's inspirational story?My dear husband-Keith. He kept a journal and would always have stories to tell his friends about his experiences. He always told people I would write a book about it. I Did! He passed away March 2020. No funerals or burials or gatherings then. No Hugs.
Who is Keith? When and how did you meet him?Keith is my dear husband. We met in dance class in 2002 and married 2003. He was my/our superman!
Does writing personal memoirs or a diary help you?The book is a memoir about my husband and how he survived while thriving for eleven years instead of dying in two months (the sentence they had given him).
What is the process of writing a memoir?This memoir about my husband was started a bit at a time I would write things and put them in word files in a folder on my computer. Then, the month we realized it was time for him to go to a better place, I started figuring out how to write it in my head. After his death I took to basic journaling my feelings and what was happening. I figured I would use those words somewhere. As the year went along in 2020 I wrote here and there but in 2021 really got busy in forming and writing everything. It was a cathartic process for sure.
What is your writing kryptonite? Inversely, what is something that never fails to inspire you?I was always inspired by my husband. He would sit at the doctor’s office and receive chemotherapy infusions one after another for hours and hours, come home with yet another chemo bag hanging on his side, yet a few days later demand to go dancing with me! He didn’t feel good but he knew a bit of dancing would life his spirits and give him what he needed to carry on.
Who is the most supportive person in your life when it comes to your writing?A couple of my friends have always been my super fans when it comes to my writing.
What common writing advice do you disagree with?I can’t think of anything.
When you're not reading or writing a book, what are some other things that you love to do?Dancing-ballroom and latin. But most of all favorite is Lindy Hop and Balboa (dances of the 1920s-1930s). I like to pretend I’m living those times as I dance away. Although, coming back to dancing after losing my dance partner has been most difficult.
How do the positive as well as negative feedback from your readers on different social media platforms affect you?Thankfully so far I haven’t seen any negative feedback. Hopefully when that comes it comes as helpful information.
How important do you think book covers are? Who usually designs your book covers?Extremely important- a lot of thought and planning went into Keith’s Story’s bookcover. I am a photographer and could have done it, but chose a person who did a great job.
When were you first introduced to AllAuthor and how? What were your expectations coming in and did the website manage to meet them?I signed up for allauthor author help as soon as I received the email – I knew I needed lots of marketing/advertising and you had a lot to offer. The tweets to my twitter have been great- I wish you also posted to Instagram and facebook.
