AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT: Marlina Williams

Marlina Williams is the author of Lost and Falling, which we have reviewed. Be sure to enter the giveaway for Lost and Falling and for one of her other books The Rad Misfits!

Interview Conducted by:

Angel

1. Do you own a dog? If you do what type?

Yes, I own two dogs. One French Bulldog and one Golden Retriever (both girls)

2. What inspired this book?

I wanted to show the other side of the story of bullying and show that peer pressure and consequences come in many forms.

3. Why did you start writing?

Since I was a kid I've always loved reading and writing was a natural extension of that.

4. Have you written any other books?

Yes, I've now written three books and am working on a fourth for NaNoWriMo.

5. What else do you do for fun other than write?

I still love reading, hiking, biking, snorkeling, and sometimes fishing with my family (though I'd rather look at the fish than catch them).

6. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Horseback riding, though I don't get to do it nearly as often as I would like.

7. Do you have a tradition you do with your friends?

I can't think of any traditions I do with my friends.

8. Have you ever been bullied? How did you deal with it? Have you forgiven that person?

I've never been bullied. I went to a very small school and I never saw anyone else being bullied either. I think forgiving a bully would have to be based on the circumstances and if the bully was willing to recognize and apologize for his/her actions.

9. What was the best part of writing this book for you?

Having my daughter read and enjoy it.

10. What was your favorite character in this book?

My favorite character is Goldie because he helped Bailey become a better person.

11. What is the prettiest thing you have ever seen (i.e. like the swimming hole)?

The swimming hole is actually based on a real place, though it's far from West Virginia. So I think it really is one of the prettiest places I've seen. The water really is so cold it will take your breath away, but once you get in it's like swimming in an aquarium. Here's a link that shows a few pictures. http://www.northwest-florida-travel.com/morrison-springs.html also if you go to my website there are a few short videos and one even has a quick glimpse of an otter.

12. Who is your best friend? Did he/she help you achieve something?

I had a couple of different best friends growing up. I moved from CA to AR when I was 11, which is a shock in cultures, almost like moving to a foreign country. My first day of school I met my best friend and we were friends throughout school. We're still friends now, but not in the same way since we live pretty far apart.

13. What do you think about our blog?

I like your blog very much. I think it's a great thing for kids to learn early on that the Internet is a tool and can be used for both good and bad, the trick is figuring out which is which.

14. Any other interesting facts/info about you?

I was a complete horse freak when I was a kid. When I was thirteen I started riding racehorses for a small farm down the road from my parents. I learned a lot about the racing industry, enough to know that I liked the horses way more than the people mistreating them for monetary gain.

Thank you so much Ms. Williams!