I (Marianne Stillings) hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and reading lots of wonderful books!

In trying to decide what to talk about today, I considered addressing parts of the writing process; plot stuff, where writers get their ideas (always a popular choice), characters (especially heroes), and other aspects of the writing process. Finally, I decided to talk about something I don't see discussed very often, which is, What's In It For Me?

Because I have a full-time day job, am a single-mom with a family, am in the throes of a new relationship, and have all the stresses of the modern world, I'm often asked, first of all, where do I find the time to write, and secondly, why on earth do I do it when there's so much else going on (e.g. "When do you sleep?!?").

The answer to the first question is easy: I write whenever I can. Evenings, early mornings, weekends, holidays, vacations, birthdays, even sick days. I write for fifteen minutes, I write for three hours. I write whatever I can, whenever I can.

Some days, I can't find the time to write at all, then I have to make up the pages on another day; that's hard, and very frustrating, especially when my brain stalls out and can't give me what I need. But I've written six books this way and, until I win the lottery, inherit a fortune, or discover lost pirate treasure, this is how it's going to have to be.

Which brings me to why I sacrifice every ounce of free or borrowed time I have to writing. Is it the money? Eh, no. Is it the fame? Eh, no. Is it a form of therapy? Hmm. Now there's a question one could dwell on a good long time.

The honest truth is I write because I can't stop. I can't stop breathing either, or thinking, or stop my heart from beating (how poetic is that?).

I love telling you a story. I love finding just the right word or phrase to create the mood or image I'm going for. I love pretty adjectives and just-the-right action verb. I love naming characters! (It's like having hundreds of puppies and I get to name them all!) I love finding just the right bit of dialogue to bring a conversation between two people on a page alive for the reader. I love to entertain, evoke emotions--joy, laughter, love, even sorrow--because all those things are elements of living, elements we all understand and share.

These commonalities are my way of connecting with you. That is my main goal. A book is a compact between two people, you and me. I write a book for you and you honor me by spending valuable hours of your life reading what I've written. I can't imagine anything more flattering to a writer than that. It means I have to do my best for you, each and every time.

Books and stories have influenced my life. They've made me see things more clearly. They've made me feel a connection to other people. They've enlightened me, warned me, shown me examples of how I could be, or maybe should not be. They've held up universal truths for me to examine, evaluate, appreciate, and I wanted to try and do the same thing.

I write because it's too much a part of me not to. I wrote before I ever made a penny at it. I will write even if I never sell another book. I will write because it's not only what I do, it's who I am. I write for me and I write for you.

Writing doesn't always make me happy. It's hard work. Often frustrating. Sometimes confusing, elusive, a nemesis to be confronted and conquered. But I love it. If I didn't, I sure wouldn't do it!

When a manuscript is completed and sent in, there's a sense of relief and accomplishment beyond compare (until you receive the editing revisions and the copyedits, of course, but that's a whole other ball game).

Thank you for spending some time with me today. And if you've read any of my books, thank you for that. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Have a wonderful day!

Marianne