Best of Family & Relationships
Best of Family & Relationships
"So Many Books, So Little Time!"
Exclusive Interview with
Hanna Marmalich
When did you start writing?
I began writing from an early age, elementary to be exact. It was my 3rd grade teacher who, in an attempt to curtail my hyperactivity and trouble making in the classroom, gave me reading assignments and asked me to write about what I read. I thoroughly enjoyed expressing my thoughts onto paper. Later on as a teen my father gifted me my very first journal, which became my canvas to express vocabulary and internal thoughts my mind overflowed with. Writing since then has been a huge part of how I connect with people in my faith and various life themes we all encounter.
What makes writing your passion?
There's something about the written word that allows myself to say what I feel needs to be said without interacting with the feedback of the audience. When we verbally communicate with someone we are constantly aware of micro feedback and sometimes that impacts the honesty where with we communicate. Yet through writing I can communicate as vulnerably and honest as I feel led to and know that the right audience in need of this telling and will receive it without my having to conform myself.
How long have you been writing?
Over 30+ years
What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Surreal. Grateful. And in awe with humility.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
I write non fiction from my own perspective and voice. Mainly because I feel I can best write honestly from myself versus someone else.
What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
The recognition that comes with others knowing you write and are published. The "spotlight" produces a sort of micro obsession from people in my life and they automatically build pedal stools to put me on. I am not one who desires an elevated platform. So that is a phenomenon I am still working around. But I am, nonetheless, grateful for their support and enthusiasm.
How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
I simply pray and let God lead the manuscript in His timing and His way. Anything forced will feel flat and inauthentic. So I have had to learn to be patient with His process over my own.
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
Just go for it. Just do it. Standing on the other side of "finished" is an amazing moment. A manuscript on your laptop is just a file name taking up room. But a manuscript published on a shelf now becomes the tool or inspiration a person needs. If you're scared do it afraid. And don't hide behind a pseudonym, use your real name because you're a real person the world needs to know has a message.
If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Don't get distracted and don't copy others.
Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
I do because I love to feel connected with the readers. As for the bad reviews, I respect them because it's a real person behind the review. Even if I object to the review, I'm honored they took a chance on me.
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
I mostly get teary eyed because I know the book did what it set out to do. And then I thank God for it and lay it at His feet. Because it's His work I'm seeing play out, not my own.
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
Yes my first solo book is about learning to live and hold onto faith while experiencing grief after losing my mother.
Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
The book is written as myself.
What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
I do think the cover can hold equal weight to a book's story. Mine for example is a photo of myself sitting on my mother in law's stairs. This is important because the book begins my grief journey on those very stairs. The photo of myself though is cut off so only a partial portion of my face shows. This was strategic as although I am writing about my experience, I am not the focal point of the story. This nugget about my cover is an Easter egg of sorts.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I love having an open dialogue with them whenever I encounter them.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Grateful and humble
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I love both Louisa May Alcott for Little Women and Lucy Maud Montgomery for Anne of Green Gables. My two timeless and favorite books. Oh and I love Alexander Dumas for Count of Monte Cristo.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
I'm happy being wherever God has me. Just to know I got to participate in His work through something I enjoy, writing, is enough for me.
Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
No. They are how they should be.
If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
Jo March in Little Women. I know it is fictional,but still. Next is Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables. Both fictional characters who wrote and loved books.
What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
I'd say nice to meet you and have a nice day.
What would you say to your readers?
Keep holding on and keep trusting God. And thank you for allowing me a space in your life to encourage you and your faith during times of loss and grief.
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I have a couple of boys, am happily married, and live just close enough to a coffee shop to indulge, yet far enough away that I can still choose to be frugal and do coffee at home.
What is your day job if you have one?
I run a mental health and addiction clinic.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I enjoy browsing antique shops while holding a coffee in my hand.
Did you have a happy childhood?
It was the 90s so it doesn't get much better.
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
I was inspired by a teacher who wouldn't write me off as the bad kid and by my father who saw something pretty amazing in me.
Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
No I don't.
What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
Children really are not a one size fits all. Education should be tailored to fit each child.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
To visit back in time three separate times.
What is your favorite music?
Christian worship and musicals.
Share a secret with us 🙂
My hair is actually brown.