Reading time: About 2 minutes
M.A.R. Unger strongly believes that every writer — even pros— always have something to learn…
M.A.R. Unger (Mary Ann) was a college English instructor who later wrote/edited economic publications. But she found no joy in writing until she retired to Nevada. Then, the characters and stories inhabiting her mind rushed out. Her Matti James series of forensic mysteries (Bits and Pieces, The Kiev Connection, Past Imperfections, Expendable, Cathy’s World, Finalities) and stand-alone thrillers (Relentless, Profiler, Mermaid, Endangered Species) produced best sellers, national/international award winners….and, she says, “joy.”
I was excited to talk to Mary Ann about how she approaches writing.
Q. Roughly how much time do you spend writing every day?
It varies greatly. Currently, I am on hiatus to care for a spouse. Writing is a self-absorbed activity. Often you neglect friends and family. Those moments are lost forever; however, your novel will still be in the computer awaiting additions and corrections. When I do write, it’s in the morning.
Q. What’s a simple activity or habit that makes you a better writer?
Taking a break for a few days and then going back with a clear mind to read what I’ve written. Sometimes I find an inconsistency or a lack of continuity that had gone unnoticed. Sometimes it’s just a typo.
Q. What interferes with your writing?
The *#@!! doorbell.
Q. How do you persuade yourself to sit down to write on days when you really, really DON’T feel like doing it?
I do not. This is real life. There should be “joy” in writing as well as in the hard work. What’s wrong with taking off a day or afternoon to relax and re-group your thoughts? Nothing.
Q. Is there a particular motto or saying that you’ve found helpful for writing?
“Keep it real.” I research places, events, and, most of all, characterizations and dialogue. If the story needs to be anchored in a place, I need to know everything about it. Get something wrong, and a reviewer will tell the world.
Q. Which stage of the writing process do you enjoy the most: researching, writing or editing/rewriting and why?
Researching and rewriting help keep characters and situations real. Reality takes effort. Example: a shark scene off the Florida Keys. After viewing numerous YouTube videos, I made five rewrites of a violent scene in Relentless. Then, I contacted a shark expert at the NOAA for a critique. His comment: “Freakin’ terrifying!”
Q. What’s one of the best books you’ve read (either fiction or non) in the last five years?
Sula by Toni Morrison. With a few words, Morrison can set characters and an entire scene. Those characters often make you feel uncomfortable, and they should.
Q. What book are you reading right now?
The Lanzaventura Code by Felix Ludosan. This is nonfiction, an honest look inside the mind of a man intent on finding what matters in life after a career in IT. He goes off to the Canary Islands to chart a new course, and he takes us along on the journey. It is relatable, funny at times, and profound.
Q. What do you think is the biggest misperception that new writers have about the act of writing?
They overestimate their ability and argue against the constructive criticism of seasoned authors. Novice or pro, everyone has something to learn.
