Books In Sync Author Spotlight Interview With Mary St. Sure Bussard M.L. ST. Surelives in Wisconsin with her husband, Ken.She has three daughters, Nicole, Amy and Kristi, and fivegrandchildren, Nick, Zack, Anna, Liam and Murphy.Q: What makes you proud to be a writer from (Country)the United States?A:

I was weaned on freedom and what it brings to your life.I have never taken this for granted. We are one of fewcountries who have this privilege, and I often wonder how itwould feel to put your heart and soul into the written word,only to have it bleed away into someone else’s narrative.

Q: What, or who, inspired you to become a writer?

My Dad was in the Marines during World War II. As achild I questioned him many times about his shiny medals, photographs, letters and postcards to myMom; things about the war. It seemed the more I pressed him for answers, the more reticent he became.By the time I was eight years old I was writing war stories in the closet where my Dad's uniform hung.

I became obsessed with writing. One day I mailed a story to the Oakland Tribune, and it was publishedthe next weekend in the "Aunt Elsie" column. Well, that did it for me. I was a PUBLISHED author! Iwas born and raised in Berkeley, California, and a few years later, I entered college and majored inEnglish. I was still writing stories in my free time. A friend of mine, who was editing for me, suggested Iattend the Iowa Writer's Workshop in Iowa City, Iowa. So off I went to write more stories, and Iabsolutely loved it! I had just finished a summer session when I received a phone call from my Mom.She said my Dad had just passed away from an aneurysm. I was devastated. My chance to know himwas over. A few months later, a package arrived in the mail. I opened it, and wrapped in old newspaperswere my Dad's war journals. What a day that was for me. Though by the time I began reading them, Isoon understood why he never spoke of the war. It took me a long time to absorb, to rethink, and rehasheverything that had happened to him. I really took it hard. My husband, Ken and my daughtersencouraged me to write his story; that it would be therapeutic. So I began writing, and I could tell witheach page I finished I was beginning to come to terms with my grief. By the time I was finished, I washealed. My book EVENSONG is dedicated to my Dad

Q: When did you begin writing with the intention of being published?A:

When I attended the Iowa Writers Workshop in Iowa City.

Q: Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and why?A

The environment of my father during World War II was huge. His silence on the subject made it(writing) an obsession for me.

Q: Do you come up with your title(s) before or after you write the manuscript(s)?A:

It’s on my mind throughout the whole process. About half way through, I have an idea or several of what the title may be. At the end, I am absolutely sure of the title.

Q: Why do you write in the genre(s) that you’ve chosen?A:

I love the pathos and challenges of people in history. And what circumvented the choices they madein war, love, triumph and defeat.

Q: What has been your most rewarding experience while in the writing process?A:

There is a quote from Jacqueline Kennedy that I just love, “If you produce one book, you will havedone something wonderful in your life.”

Q: What has been your most negative experience while in the writing process?A:

Wearing out my carpet from pacing back and forth during my struggles with “writer’s block.”

Q: What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey?

Knowing my book will be handed down in my family for generations to come.

Q: What has been your most negative experience in your publishing journey?A:

It took more time to research a publisher and agent than it took to write my book!

Q: What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors?A:

If you are not completely obsessed with writing a book, it will never happen.

Q: Who is your favorite author and why?A:

Wilbur Smith grew up in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, in Central Africa. During his informativeyears in the 30’s, he was involved in the complex geopolitics of Africa, living the action before he wroteit. Out of this amazing life of his, of course came amazing books. Thirty-two to be exact. ELEPHANTSONG is my very favorite.

Q: Please tell us the title(s) of your current book:

EvensongbyM.L. St. Sure

M.L. St. Sure's Evensong is a powerful and captivating historicalromance novel, set in World War II, about a beautiful, celebratedopera singer forced to sing the singspiel before Hitler. Amidst terribleconsequences, after heartbreaking conflict and loss, the heroine's voicecarries the ultimate message of courage and freedom.

Book Details:

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (August 14, 2007)ISBN-10: 1419668242ISBN-13: 978-1419668241Publication Date: August 14, 2007Language: EnglishPaperback: 224 Pages

Book Genre: Historical Fiction & RomanceSee All Customer Reviews http://www.amazon.com/Evensong-novel-M-St-Sure-ebook/product-reviews/B003AKZBFG/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1 Print List Price: $14.99Amazon Print Purchase Link http://www.amazon.com/Evensong-M-L-St-Sure/dp/1419668242/ref=sr