MRW - MARCH 2014 AUTHOR OF THE MONTH

I'm honored to be the featured MRW Author of the Month for March!

Here's my interview:  

What's your writing story (i.e. How did you start writing, etc.)?

I began journaling at around thirteen, incorporating photos and scrapbooks to tell stories.  In my teens I worked for the school newspaper and thought of pursuing a career in journalism. The more facts I reported, I caught myself thinking, “That’s a cool story, but it’d be so much more dramatic if [THIS] happened!”  That should have been my first clue that fiction was in my future, but I didn’t pursue writing until much later.  After I’d put myself through college for a degree in English, I began tinkering on my first full-length novel. Three full manuscripts, four short stories and a novella later, I’m in the process of getting published for the first time.

Do you have a writing routine?

I work full-time, but I strive to get at least one hour of writing in each evening. So it’s dinner, an hour of straight writing and then bedtime.  Days off and weekends are sometimes full of errands and laundry, but there is a solid three to four hours a day dedicated to some form of writing, whether it be editing or first draft. When I get a long weekend or vacation, I really put in the time each day. Those are the moments I feel like a full-fledged author. :0)

What's the best research trip you've ever taken?

My first novel is set at a horse rescue and I spent a lot of time at a great facility in western Maryland. I learned so much about horses and their care. They all have such personalities, it was like summer camp.  Except the mares and I never snuck out in the middle of the night to toilet paper the gelding field.

Maybe next year.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on the second in the Walker series. In my first book, THE FIRE WALKERS, we meet Kelly and Aidan, two people who reignite the fire in their lives. In the sequel, we walk earth with Ben, the hard working hero you meet in TFW.  Industrious, patient and loving, he has eyes for only one girl… 

What do you like to do when you're not writing?

I'm a intermediate nature photographer and scrapbooker. Something about the combination of story and pictures just soothes my soul. I do also love taking long walks at the lake and on the paths near my home. I like to get outside everyday, no matter the weather.

What's the last great book you read?

WHEN CALLS THE HEART by Janette Oke. 

It can be deemed one of the first inspirational novels. I like how it has a touch of spirituality, but doesn’t overdo it. Based in the Canadian frontier, the reader can relate to the heroine’s struggle to adapt in a rural environment, and the love interest is a brave, noble Mountie, making it a great mixture of adventure and romance. I’ve always held a fascination with the Wild West, and the author writes the scenery so well that you want to see it for yourself.

Banff National Park, here I come!

Shelley N. Greene
www.shelleyngreene.com

KEY WEST AND THE PARROT

Hi, everyone!

I know it's been a while, so sorry for the hiatus. In recent news, I've been asked to be the Author of the Month in the Maryland Romance Writers newsletter!

I was asked interview questions which I'll put up in the following post. I was also asked to provide a fun photo with an associated story. 

Since the publication is solely for MRW members, I wanted to share the featured story with you here as well. I hope you enjoy!

- SNG

Picture Story:

My sister and I had said for many years that we wanted to take a road trip together; just rent a fast car and drive to Key West. While ruminating on it one night, we decided that some things can't wait. Her kids weren’t out of college, but we had our health, a little bit of money and the will to go, so we planned it.

One powder blue Sally of a Mustang transported us to Key West and it was like a different world. The first day there, we left the leather Chesterfield couches and travel trunk end tables of our hotel to walk the island and see the sights. About halfway down the street a commotion caught our attention as a man ran after this brightly plumed bird yelling, “Stop him, he’s getting away!”

Humanitarian that I am, I started after them, my sister trailing me and telling me to be careful. Fearful for the animal, I kept my distance while trying to coax it to stop fluttering in a panic, ready to fly away. I stood agape as the guy reached down and grabbed the distracted bird by the legs, a look of victory on his face. I followed them, watching as the man dragged what I then saw was a rainbow colored parrot back to a neighboring booth. Other exotic birds sat in cages next to photography equipment, a photo kiosk in the center of the square.

The parrot flailed as the man pulled out a pair of grooming clippers, my eyes going wide.  “What are you doing to him?” I called a little too loudly, my sister pulling on my arm to not engage the stranger.

Was this punishment for the bird’s instinctual bid for freedom? That wasn’t fair.

“That gave me a heart attack,” the man uttered as he casually went on about his business. He prepared to cut as the parrot flapped his wide wings, giving us flashes of brilliant color.  

“Stop! Don’t hurt him!”

“Hurt him? I'm not letting a five thousand dollar investment fly the coop.”

To my surprise he turned the bird towards me, illustrating where he was placing the scissors, loud snaps resounding as he trimmed the bird’s wings.

“Oh.” That was all I could manage as my sister shot me a look.

Finished with his work, the man placed the parrot on a wooden perch, the bird still flapping but not taking flight like before. With the visual assurance that the parrot was grounded the man turned to us.

“For helping me out, I’m going to give you a free photo. Sound good?”

I blinked at him, keeping my purse close as he ushered me to a bench and told me to close my eyes. “Hold your hands out in front of you. Cup them like a bowl,” he instructed. 

In a millisecond I felt something soft and feathered touch my skin followed by a gentle pressure on my shoulder. Then I heard the man say, “Open.”

The ball of adorable in my palms knew only one word, “Bubbles…Bubbles,” his name. All the while chewing on his foot like a baby. 

“And this is Peaches,” the man said, motioning to the pretty peach one sitting on my shoulder. “Peaches...Peeeeaches,” the owner prompted the silent bird. “Well, he’s new. Still learning.”

Taken in by it all, I completely forgot that I was being photographed. I followed the direction to “Smile” so naturally that all I did was look up.

My sister got a gold toe ring that day, one that she wears all the time. We saw Hemmingway’s six-toed cats and had cheeseburgers in paradise. It was fabulous.  

And it all started with an exotic bird photographer and his wayward parrot. :0)