January Author Feature: Mandy Maree
I’m honored to feature Mandy Maree, a contemporary romance author this month! Her debut novel, Meet the Teacher, is available now. Please enjoy my author interview with the beautiful Mandy Maree!
Autumn Parker is a teacher who rarely strays from her lesson plans and certainly not ones in her personal life. Conflicted with a possible career change, Autumn plays it safe in life and sticks to the familiar. But when the pain from the loss of her older sister gets compounded with the end of her perfect-on-paper marriage, she decides to scrap all life’s plans and move back to her hometown. With the fear of any more change, she decides to give her teaching career a second chance.
Anticipating the arrival of new students during Meet the Teacher Night, Autumn is surprised (and irritated!) to encounter the boy who broke her heart years ago, Zayn Mitchell. To make matters worse, she discovers his daughter will be in her 5th grade class this year.
To honor her sister’s final wishes, Autumn steps out of her comfort zone with the unexpected help of Zayn. Through all the burnout, grief, and heartache, Autumn must learn to embrace new adventures as well as decide if it’s not just her teaching career that deserves a second chance.
Genre: Contemporary Romance - Romantic Comedy/Second Chance Romance
How do you find time to write?
I’m a mom of two little ones and a military husband, so finding the time to write can often be difficult. But, I plan it into my schedule a few times a week and I often will write late at night when they are sound asleep.
What is the best time of day for you to write?
The best time of day for me to write is late at night. I enjoy the peace from everyone in bed and the sense of having time strictly for myself after spending my days taking care of everyone else and making sure things are done.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It takes me anywhere from a couple of months to a couple of years, depending on the story and the season of life I’m in.
Does writing energize you or exhaust you?
Writing can either energize or exhaust me. If I’m stuck developmentally or even just burned out in general, it will exhaust me. But, under normal circumstances, it brings me life and feels liberating to write the stories on my heart.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Yes, absolutely! I think people often believe it happens when you don’t have any ideas, but I actually experience it when I have too many ideas and get a type of decision paralysis.
Have you ever gotten reader’s block?
I’ve not heard of this, but yes, I believe so. There are times I’ve experienced book hangovers from really good books and just can’t seem to pick up, or get through, another one. I’ve also experienced the same as writer’s block, where if I’m too stressed or reaching burnout, I won’t be able to read because I start to view it as just “one more thing” instead of one of my favorite things to do.
If you could tell your younger writer self anything, what would it be?
You can do anything you set your mind to if you believe in yourself enough. Don’t give up! It won’t be easy, but I promise it’s worth it.
Mandy Maree is a romance author who resides in Colorado with her husband, two tiny humans, and two fur babies. Aside from being a mom and a writer, she is a military spouse, editor, admin assistant, and former educator. In her downtime, you'll find Mandy curled up with a cozy blanket, a cup of coffee or tea, fuzzy socks, and a great romance read. Meet the Teacher is her debut novel.
Where you can find Mandy Maree
Her website authormandymaree.com and on Amazon
Instagram: @authormandymaree
Facebook: Author Mandy Maree