M.R. Hooley's Blog
July 15, 2018
Q & A
Of the many questions I’ve been asked about as a writer, the ones that most often come up are related to how I began writing and what inspires me to continue. Here is my best effort to address those questions:
While I cannot remember the exact moment that I wanted to become a writer, I do recall that it was at a young age, and directly related to my relationship with my father. Years later, it was the relationship with my own son that finally sparked me to take action.
As a young child, I can remember reading the Gus the Friendly Ghost books by Jane Thayer. Shortly thereafter, I would start writing my own little stories about Spiro Spider. I would draw the pictures and tell my stories to my father who would write them out and help me make them into tiny books with construction paper covers. As I grew, I would graduate to chapter books like the Bobbsey Twins and Pippy Longstocking series, and eventually, I would begin to read my father’s Clive Cussler novels. I can recall my excitement at feeling like I had achieved adulthood when I finished that first novel, and have read each and every Cussler novel since. Cussler novels, set on the sea, were a primary factor in encouraging my enlistment into the Navy.
Years later, I sought to pass my love of reading onto my own son, who was rather high-strung at a young age and would only pay attention to rhyming stories. As such, Dr. Seuss was the only author who could capture his attention. After reading the Seuss books way too many times, I began to make up my own stories to keep him entertained. Eventually, I began to write my own rhyming children’s stories. In the early 2000’s, I worked with literary agent (and author) Barbara Casey to try to place my stories. This endeavor proved unsuccessful, as at that time, few children’s stories were being accepted due to publishers concentrating on converting existing inventory into e-format. Additionally, I was reluctant to give up creative control of my work, a requirement of each of the publishers who were considering my work. Finally, years later, I elected to self-publish my first rhyming picture book, Penelope Skunk Has Junk in Her Trunk in 2013, and have since published an additional three stories. While this has been my concentration to date, I am also eager to publish adult action adventure books and have several attempts underway, each in various stages.
A couple of years ago, the two genres came together in a rather unusual way, when I mailed my first two children’s books to Mr. Cussler. A legendary author, I didn’t think they would ever even reach him, but it was worth an attempt. Besides, I felt obligated to share my work with one of the major sources of my own inspiration. You can imagine my surprise when a few weeks later, I received a handwritten letter from the author. He wrote that he had enjoyed the books, passed them onto his own grandchildren, and graciously offered to endorse my children’s books. The letter is currently framed and serves as a constant source of encouragement in my endeavor to achieve my own successful, writing career.
While I cannot remember the exact moment that I wanted to become a writer, I do recall that it was at a young age, and directly related to my relationship with my father. Years later, it was the relationship with my own son that finally sparked me to take action.
As a young child, I can remember reading the Gus the Friendly Ghost books by Jane Thayer. Shortly thereafter, I would start writing my own little stories about Spiro Spider. I would draw the pictures and tell my stories to my father who would write them out and help me make them into tiny books with construction paper covers. As I grew, I would graduate to chapter books like the Bobbsey Twins and Pippy Longstocking series, and eventually, I would begin to read my father’s Clive Cussler novels. I can recall my excitement at feeling like I had achieved adulthood when I finished that first novel, and have read each and every Cussler novel since. Cussler novels, set on the sea, were a primary factor in encouraging my enlistment into the Navy.
Years later, I sought to pass my love of reading onto my own son, who was rather high-strung at a young age and would only pay attention to rhyming stories. As such, Dr. Seuss was the only author who could capture his attention. After reading the Seuss books way too many times, I began to make up my own stories to keep him entertained. Eventually, I began to write my own rhyming children’s stories. In the early 2000’s, I worked with literary agent (and author) Barbara Casey to try to place my stories. This endeavor proved unsuccessful, as at that time, few children’s stories were being accepted due to publishers concentrating on converting existing inventory into e-format. Additionally, I was reluctant to give up creative control of my work, a requirement of each of the publishers who were considering my work. Finally, years later, I elected to self-publish my first rhyming picture book, Penelope Skunk Has Junk in Her Trunk in 2013, and have since published an additional three stories. While this has been my concentration to date, I am also eager to publish adult action adventure books and have several attempts underway, each in various stages.
A couple of years ago, the two genres came together in a rather unusual way, when I mailed my first two children’s books to Mr. Cussler. A legendary author, I didn’t think they would ever even reach him, but it was worth an attempt. Besides, I felt obligated to share my work with one of the major sources of my own inspiration. You can imagine my surprise when a few weeks later, I received a handwritten letter from the author. He wrote that he had enjoyed the books, passed them onto his own grandchildren, and graciously offered to endorse my children’s books. The letter is currently framed and serves as a constant source of encouragement in my endeavor to achieve my own successful, writing career.
July 7, 2018
Independence Day
Hi All!
The weekend is finally upon us, and we’ve even got a brief reprieve from the heat! Who could ask for more?!
For those of you who have had the opportunity to check out the website, you may recall my picture next to a bronze sculpture of Thomas Jefferson on the author’s page. That picture was taken last summer at Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Earlier this week, we visited Poplar Forest, in Forest, VA, about halfway between Roanoke and Charlottesville. Poplar Forest was Jefferson’s retreat house, a working plantation designed by Jefferson himself, and constructed on 4,000 acres of land he had inherited from his father in law. The home was passed down over the years, but was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971. Much of the home has been restored and furnished to resemble Jefferson’s original design, and there is ongoing archaeological research being conducted on the outbuildings and surrounding property. While not as well-known as Monticello, it was every bit as interesting!
In an era where many politicians are unable to see past their own self-interests, it is comforting to be reminded of the brilliance and integrity of our founding fathers. In addition to being the third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was an architect, educator, author, and inventor who was not afraid to get his hands dirty. When the builder he contracted to build Poplar Forest grew intimidated by the complex design, Jefferson packed his clothes and made the two day trip to assist in laying the foundation himself.
https://www.poplarforest.org/
I hope each of you had an enjoyable holiday as well! Please share with us how you spent your Fourth of July!
Until next time…
The weekend is finally upon us, and we’ve even got a brief reprieve from the heat! Who could ask for more?!
For those of you who have had the opportunity to check out the website, you may recall my picture next to a bronze sculpture of Thomas Jefferson on the author’s page. That picture was taken last summer at Monticello, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Earlier this week, we visited Poplar Forest, in Forest, VA, about halfway between Roanoke and Charlottesville. Poplar Forest was Jefferson’s retreat house, a working plantation designed by Jefferson himself, and constructed on 4,000 acres of land he had inherited from his father in law. The home was passed down over the years, but was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971. Much of the home has been restored and furnished to resemble Jefferson’s original design, and there is ongoing archaeological research being conducted on the outbuildings and surrounding property. While not as well-known as Monticello, it was every bit as interesting!
In an era where many politicians are unable to see past their own self-interests, it is comforting to be reminded of the brilliance and integrity of our founding fathers. In addition to being the third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson was an architect, educator, author, and inventor who was not afraid to get his hands dirty. When the builder he contracted to build Poplar Forest grew intimidated by the complex design, Jefferson packed his clothes and made the two day trip to assist in laying the foundation himself.
https://www.poplarforest.org/
I hope each of you had an enjoyable holiday as well! Please share with us how you spent your Fourth of July!
Until next time…
June 29, 2018
Hello, All - Welcome
Hi All!
Sorry it has taken so long to put the books on here, but here they are! Please review them, and if you are new to Hooley Books, look them over! The books are available on Amazon, and on our website, www.hooleybooks.com !
I've been busy working on two new books. One will be done and headed into printing soon, with a tentative release date later this summer! The other book is a Christmas project I am working on with a young, talented, Roanoke, VA artist! More details on both projects coming very soon!
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and has an opportunity to read a good book. There are so many to chose from!
Stay cool!
Sorry it has taken so long to put the books on here, but here they are! Please review them, and if you are new to Hooley Books, look them over! The books are available on Amazon, and on our website, www.hooleybooks.com !
I've been busy working on two new books. One will be done and headed into printing soon, with a tentative release date later this summer! The other book is a Christmas project I am working on with a young, talented, Roanoke, VA artist! More details on both projects coming very soon!
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and has an opportunity to read a good book. There are so many to chose from!
Stay cool!
