#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Allison Brook/Marilyn Levinson

I would like to welcome my friend and author, Allison Brook/Marilyn Levinson back to the blog.

Favorite thing to do when you have free time: Sudoku puzzles

The thing you’ll always move to the bottom of your to do list: clear off the desk next to my computer.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: my notebooks

Things that distract you from writing: one of the kitties nudging me because he wants food

Hardest thing about being a writer: sitting down to write each day

Easiest thing about being a writer: chatting with readers on Facebook

Favorite snacks: dark chocolate; chocolate gelato, honeyed walnuts (I make them)

Things that make you want to gag: cooked cereal

Something you’re really good at: knitting

Something you’re really bad at: using a sewing machine

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: ride a horse

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: Have four publishers.

Last best thing you ate: steak

Last thing you regret eating: too much chocolate

Things to say to an author: I loved your last book.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I don't like your protagonist.

Favorite places you’ve been: South of France, England, Machu Picchu

Places you never want to go to again: An amusement park with wild rides. Those days are over.

Favorite things to do: dine out; go to the ballet; read a good book; take a river cruise

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: go camping --I'm not talking about your glamping, but I remember it raining and water coming into the tent.

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: Reread the last ten pages of your Work in Progress and see where you veered off the track.

Things you do to avoid writing: Where shall I begin? Check my e-mails; take care of all non-essential writer-ly chores; visit Facebook; see how my books are doing on Amazon; on Barnes & Noble; feed the cats.

About Allison:

I was a bookworm from the moment I learned how to read. I devoured Nancy Drews, Judy Boltons, and Trixie Beldons – sometimes two books in one day. Was it any wonder I ended up writing mysteries?

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, I dreamed of becoming a ballerina or a writer. I practiced my pirouettes and penned short stories. My family moved to Long Island, where I continued to write stories until I was discouraged by a high school English teacher.

Turned off to writing, I continued to read voraciously in college and concentrated on my major, Spanish. I studied in Mexico and Spain, intent on becoming fluent in the language. I taught high school Spanish, married my dentist husband, and we started a family. When our two sons were small, I found myself drawn back to writing fiction.

A writer is a writer forever. We may have more than our share of disappointments, but the rewards are many – knowing you bring joy to readers; sharing the camaraderie and support of your fellow scribes. Writing is a way of life, one I wouldn’t relinquish for anything.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.marilynlevinson.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10

Twitter/X: https://x.com/marilynlevinson