Interview with Marilyn Faneite

Hi, Booknet fans!!! Today, in the Authors Spotlight, our guest is MarilynF.

Hello Marilyn. Thank you for agreeing to be interviewed and to share your world with all Booknet writers and readers. 

Hello, before answering the interview. I would like to thank you for dedicating your valuable time to me. I've already read all the questions and my “little fingers” are eager to get started.

Then let's get started. Could you introduce yourself, please tell us about your roots, upbringing, and education. Who are you?

I am Venezuelan, “I'm forty-few years old”, married, and with a pre-adolescent daughter. A mechanical engineer by profession. But due to destiny, my field of work has always leaned more towards the area of ​​purchasing, sales, marketing, and writing.

Is your family supportive of your writing?

Among other novels and poems, I wrote Bar Mon'tblank in my spare time from high school. Back then there weren't as many facilities for new writers … and I ended up saving and forgetting each of my drafts. Almost four years ago my daughter (an Ultra fan of reading), found several of my sketches and read them. After she, the very naughty one, made sure that I was not upset by what she did, she said: "Mommy, dreams are not to hide but to make them come true. Why don't we publish them?" And that's how we started … or rather, that's how my daughter helped me get back to my dreams. In general, my husband has never stopped my ideas, no matter how crazy they may be, he has always been my unconditional support. My parents and brothers, that is another song, for them, it is not healthy (nor normal) to spend so much time in front of a computer. But even so, they celebrate my successes and support me with what they can.

Are you using a pen name? Is there a specific reason behind it?

I confess that at the beginning I considered it and, please do not misunderstand me, I respect very much those who use it, it is something of free choice … only that the idea of ​​using it made me feel like I was doing something illicit and I should hide. I'm sure that's not the case, so I decided to go head-on with my real first and last name.

Do you have a full-time job? If so, how do you juggle it with writing?

I had it until recently and it is very difficult to combine work, home, and writing. But when you put love and conviction in what you do, there is no obstacle to stop you. I try to have my Tablet or a small notebook at hand to write the ideas that come to mind and develop them later. I almost always end up inspired by my books at dawn.

Are you multilingual? Which languages do you speak, and how did you learn them?

As I always emphasize, my native dialect is Spanish, and even though I understand and write English. I still don't consider myself multilingual as my pronunciation is still a bit embarrassing. I have had to learn given my profession since I am in contact with national and international suppliers. So, I continue to study and perfect the language.

Do you have hobbies other than writing?

Cooking. And modesty aside, but I'm pretty good at it. Above all, the desserts. Nothing better, nor more delicious than sitting down to write, super inspired with a giant piece of your favorite cake and a cup of coffee. (And then I complain about the exercises and my extra pounds … but hey, that's another “delicious story” ).

Do you plan your novels or do you just sit back and discover them as you write?

A little of both. I liken it to a Christmas sparkler it all starts with a little spark (idea). And while the gunpowder runs out (inspiration). It becomes bigger, more beautiful, more splendid (creativity). The trick is to keep the pace long enough to 'sketch' from the prologue to the epilogue before the fuse goes out, the enthusiasm is over  … And start the part of discovering out how to keep the fun going.

What is your favorite genre to read and write?

When writing, I love that romance (vintage or contemporary) is the foundation of everything. But I like to spice it up a bit with humor, a lot of sarcasm and irony (the specialty of the house), situations involving confusion and suspense … A pinch of eroticism (which in my case is more seduction) since, until now, I have not wanted to be explicit in the scenes that I have written. I like more to create the stimulus and let the reader's imagination do its work. And as for reading, besides the above, I love Dark Romance and everything related to the LGBTQ + genre.

Do you research world-building and layered character development?

That is paramount. I always research the topics I develop. I do not mark a letter, without first having documented myself through different sources.

What are the 3 things you love and 3 things you hate writing about?

God! The above questions were easy for me, but I have deleted this answer many times … Next. No, in earnest, there are issues like violence, in all its facets, racism. Problems that are difficult to write and digest … but sadly they are part of life and every good author must find a form to develop them most faithfully and realistically possible. Many times we are guilty of the occasional tear from our readers … And even a little resentment on his part, but that only means we created the impact we were looking for. And if we take advantage of the moment to give them some life lessons … far better.

Can you, please, share with us at least 3 books that left a mark on you/influenced you in any way?

I will start with the book of which I keep beautiful memories and the one that I think everyone should read as children and reread when they are older … The little prince, what better way to begin to discover life and the secret of happiness if not from the innocence of a child. For some time, I was very assiduous of Osho's philosophy. And although as I grew up I began to refute certain things, many of his teachings will remain forever in me.

Do you have any advice for beginner writers?

Every beginning is difficult and that is precisely why we must try harder. But if you are sure of what you want, be patient, set goals, and get ready to achieve them. Research the genre you want to venture into. Ask and read a lot to clarify any doubts that may arise. Dust off your dictionaries, especially the synonyms one, and expand your vocabulary. And most important, be aware of what you write, about the message you send. Remember that words are powerful and through writing, you have the possibility of positively or negatively influencing the minds of your readers.

How did you come across Booknet?

Before, I was a regular at another well-known App but only as a reader. I remember that one of the authors (of which I have read almost all of her books) notified that she was going to migrate to a new platform … at that time Litnet. A radical change but one that left me happily committed to Booknet. A relationship that I hope will last for many years to come.

Do you have any future projects standing in line, waiting for you to finish your ongoing books? What are your plans for the rest of this year?

Right now, I'm fine-tuning details with the fourth and final book in the "Appearances" series that tells the story of Jazmin Smith. And I started to develop a new series called "Here and Now", which will have 3 books … Well, in fact, the first book "Here, there is no place for you" already has an introductory fragment on Booknet and soon I will start uploading chapters. I usually give my stories a 'soak' time and then go through them in their entirety and make sure everything is 'clean' before I put them on the shelf.

Thank you so much Marilyn for your time and it was wonderful to get know more about you. If you would like to learn more about Marilyn and her stories check out her profile on Booknet. 

https://booknet.com/en/marilynf-u2807499