Featured Interview With Mary Elizabeth Fricke
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a farm girl who has lived her entire life within five miles north or south of the Missouri River. My husband and I own/operate a productive family farm that has been in his family for five generations. We are proud of our rural heritage and that prompts me to use rural Missouri as primary setting for most of my novels.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I was telling stories before I knew how to write them down. I grew up knowing I would always ‘write a book’ but I didn’t actually write until I was twenty-one. My mother was a published poet and an avid reader. Her influence touched not only my sister, brother and I but all of our children. I miss the time when Mom and I would share books and talk about them. I miss hearing her read aloud to my sons. Huckleberry Finn was a favorite of both of my sons. My sons still talk about how Mom would read as the characters in the books spoke.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I read romance more than anything but I also like non-fiction historicals, biographies, as well as science-fiction and action. Kathleen Woodiwiss’s ‘Ashes in the Wind’ is my all time favorite book. No one I’ve read has been able to compare to Mrs. Woodiwiss’s unique prose and ability to draw the reader in to where it feels as if you are on the sidelines watching the scenes unfold right before your eyes.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
I recently published my Sweet Pea Trilogy in paperback. The story of Sweet Pea actually began as a contemporary story in 1976. It has grown considerably since and I cannot tell you how many times it has been rewritten and rejected by some publisher or editor. In 2017, I self-published the story in three separate titles: Book I: Demise of Innocence, Book II: Time to Deceive and Book III: The Price of Passion. In Feb. 2018, I published the entire trilogy under one cover titled “Sweet Pea Gift Set (Books I, II, III). Then, so many people asked that I please also publish it in paperback that I did so in time for Christmas 2018. The Sweet Pea Trilogy is now available from Amazon. In fact, I am currently running a holiday sale with all of my previous published e-books. All are available for .99 until Jan. 24, 2019 (except for the Sweet Pea Gift Set).
Connect with the Author on their Websites and Social media profiles
Mary Elizabeth Fricke’s Website
Mary Elizabeth Fricke Facebook Page