Ask the Author: Maria Riegger
Answered Questions (16)
Maria Riegger
Mark, If you go to the Anything Legal Thriller Group, go to the discussion board, the first section is called Writer's Discussion. The first post under that group is "Author Promotion." You can comment and mention your books there.
Maria Riegger
Hi Kevin! Thanks so much for your question and I apologize for the delay in response. My fiction often focuses on the flaws of main characters. The contemporary romance / romantic suspense that I write is (for the most part) not sugary sweet. My protagonists tackle past trauma and I'm not afraid to make the reader uncomfortable at times. My favorite fiction novel that I've written so far is Thunderstruck, a contemporary political romance.
Maria Riegger
Probably to Hogwarts ;) I could do with learning some magic :)
Maria Riegger
Over the summer, I've been reading a combination of romance, self-help books, and thriller/sci-fi. Moonshot by Alessandra Torre was a standout sports romance with a suspense plot line that was intriguing. I'm currently finishing Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, a book on negotiation. I've already put Voss' negotiation tips to work with my kid, and they work flawlessly. I'm amazed! Highly recommend both books!
Maria Riegger
Mark, If you go to the Anything Legal Thriller Group, go to the discussion board, the first section is called Writer's Discussion. The first post under that group is "Author Promotion." You can comment and mention your books there. As for your second question, when you go to the Comment box to leave a comment, right above the comment box is a link called "Add book/author." Click on that link and you can link to your book or the book's cover.
Maria Riegger
Hi Mark, in the Anything Legal, Legal Thrillers, and More group, under the Archive section there is a folder called Book Promotions. You are welcome to post promotional posts there! Can't wait to hear about the series!
Maria Riegger
Hi Mark,
Do you mean where on Goodreads are you permitted to post? I'm a moderator in the group Anything Legal, Legal Thrillers, Legal Mysteries and More. We allow promotional posts in the group in a specific folder. I suggest you join the relevant groups for your genre and post according to the rules of each group. If you have other questions, I'll be happy to address them. Just send me a message on Goodreads. Best of luck with the relaunch!
Do you mean where on Goodreads are you permitted to post? I'm a moderator in the group Anything Legal, Legal Thrillers, Legal Mysteries and More. We allow promotional posts in the group in a specific folder. I suggest you join the relevant groups for your genre and post according to the rules of each group. If you have other questions, I'll be happy to address them. Just send me a message on Goodreads. Best of luck with the relaunch!
Maria Riegger
The horned-headed, club-footed male creature looked straight at her as she stepped off the last step of the basement stairs. Then he shook his head and swiped on his phone, hogging up the wi-fi.
Maria Riegger
I am definitely a honey badger. My eyesight isn't that great, I eat almost anything, and am "lazy about housekeeping" (http://mentalfloss.com/article/63407/...).
I'm also pretty solitary, and stay away from groups. Yeah, that sounds about right ;)
I'm also pretty solitary, and stay away from groups. Yeah, that sounds about right ;)
Maria Riegger
Thanks so much for reaching out! Great to meet you :) Absolutely, would be happy to send you a copy. You can PM me on Goodreads with your contact info, and whether you prefer print copy, mobi or epub format, and I'll send along.
Maria Riegger
In my opinion, the best thing about being a writer is having complete control over your creative work. Obviously, you may be limited regarding length and other factors if you publish through a traditional publisher. But as far as the story line, characters, dialogue, etc., those are up to you.
In this manner, to me, the best thing is writing what I want to write about. That's it.
In this manner, to me, the best thing is writing what I want to write about. That's it.
Maria Riegger
I'm currently working on the second book in the Law School Heretic series. I originally wrote one 200,000 word manuscript, which I ended up dividing into two books, the first of which is the just-published Miscalculated Risks.
The next book, Acceptable Misconduct, is about 80% complete and, after doing some rewrites, will be ready to go! I anticipate a publication date of February 2016. The second book is much steamier, so if the first book really got you going, I don't think you'll be disappointed by the second.
And because I always do several things at once, I'm also working on a standalone political novel, which I plan to release toward the end of 2016.
The next book, Acceptable Misconduct, is about 80% complete and, after doing some rewrites, will be ready to go! I anticipate a publication date of February 2016. The second book is much steamier, so if the first book really got you going, I don't think you'll be disappointed by the second.
And because I always do several things at once, I'm also working on a standalone political novel, which I plan to release toward the end of 2016.
Maria Riegger
Just write. Try to write every day. Outline your ideas for plot, story lines, dialogue, etc.; you can always fill them in later. Make sure you have something to take notes with you wherever you are (smart phone, notepad, etc.). Ideas strike all over the place.
Write the book(s) you want to write; not everyone will love it (them), but, at the end of the day, why would that matter to you?
Read; read a ton, in different genres.
Don't let others discourage you. And as for having enough time to write on top of your day job (if that is what you choose to do), if you want something badly enough, you will find time for it, and you will do it.
Write the book(s) you want to write; not everyone will love it (them), but, at the end of the day, why would that matter to you?
Read; read a ton, in different genres.
Don't let others discourage you. And as for having enough time to write on top of your day job (if that is what you choose to do), if you want something badly enough, you will find time for it, and you will do it.
Maria Riegger
As far as inspiration for ideas, inspiration is all around you. It's in the everyday events of your life. You just have to live.
As far as getting inspired to sit down and write, if I need help getting motivated, I'll try to outline main scenes, ideas, and story lines, and eventually I'll fill in the outline with dialogue, etc.
As far as getting inspired to sit down and write, if I need help getting motivated, I'll try to outline main scenes, ideas, and story lines, and eventually I'll fill in the outline with dialogue, etc.
Maria Riegger
If I'm having trouble coming up with a scene, or something similar, I do something I enjoy to try to clear my mind, such as going for a walk, exercising, or doing an activity with my son. I also give myself time to think, to just be open.
Random ideas for scenes come to me throughout the day, and I always take notes when they strike, whether I'm commuting, at the grocery store, or wherever. That way, I won't worry about forgetting the scene or idea I had.
Regardless of whether you're having difficulty coming up with something, I suggest to keep writing every day, even if you're not sure where it's going. That helps tremendously.
Random ideas for scenes come to me throughout the day, and I always take notes when they strike, whether I'm commuting, at the grocery store, or wherever. That way, I won't worry about forgetting the scene or idea I had.
Regardless of whether you're having difficulty coming up with something, I suggest to keep writing every day, even if you're not sure where it's going. That helps tremendously.
Maria Riegger
The storyline came to me all at once. I had some ideas for scenes, and then everything coalesced one day. I wanted to write a book with Washington, DC, my hometown, as a setting, and also wanted to write about what it was like to go to law school there as a young professional.
I also wanted to experiment with characters who didn't act the way people expect. The main character, Isabel, doesn't always act as you would expect a woman to act; however, there are reasons for that. Isabel also applies her own stereotypes to people, which end up turning out to be untrue. This novel was a lot of fun to write.
I also wanted to experiment with characters who didn't act the way people expect. The main character, Isabel, doesn't always act as you would expect a woman to act; however, there are reasons for that. Isabel also applies her own stereotypes to people, which end up turning out to be untrue. This novel was a lot of fun to write.
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