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Do you ever stop to ask yourself who you are? How did you get to the place you’re at today? Or, maybe how did you become you?

It seems to be simple, but when you stop and think, you might question them all. When I do it, or have to answer them in interviews, I always ponder it for a few moments. In reality I know where I came from, I know how I got to be the person I am today, and most of all I know who I am.

Who am I? I am the daughter of a retired firefighter, a 101st airborne army man who raised me since the day I was born. He instilled kindness into my soul, taught me right from wrong, and most of all, how to love and fight for what I believed. That’s me in a nutshell.

The person behind my walls was a man that I had to say goodbye to 14 years ago; that’s when I questioned all of the above questions. It was when I doubted myself more than I ever had before. When you lose the one that guides you on your journey, it’s hard to recover as you learn to do it all on your own. Years pass by before you finally realize that life does go on for everyone, and that includes you. You become a mother, strive to be the best wife that you can, a co-work, and friend. In the end, you are still you, just a little wiser, maybe a little more cynical but still you.

As more time goes on you find that person that was hidden deep within your soul. Once that inner voice has been located, and you can answer the final question; a part of you has healed.

Life becomes about memories and finding that guidance in new locations, and within new people as you grow. It’s the small things that show you who you are; it’s the choices that you make that define the person you have become. It’s the thing that makes you look around and question, do we ever really know the person next to us? Probably not, but that’s what make each person unique and special.

As most celebrated Father’s Day today, I pondered who I am. At the end of the day, I’m happy with the way life has turned out for me. Does it make today any easier? No, not really but I know tomorrow will bring a new day full of sunshine, and that will make me smile. I know next week as I step into a new journey that was always my dream, that will make my father happy. For that, I thank him, and my husband for always having enough faith in me to do what I love.

If it weren’t for my dad, I wouldn’t have become the young adult I grew into. Then with lose, I wouldn’t have the strength to make the life choices I have had to make as I’ve grown older.

So who am I? Tonight I have those answers while tomorrow I might question them all again. I close this blog with a big Happy Father’s Day to a man that made me into the person I am today. Thank you for the years of unconditional love, support, and just enough guidance to figure it all out years later.

This week I bring you M.M. Charles, author of Psychological Thrillers and twisted endings. We are sure to love this interview…

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? For starters, my name is M.M. Charles (my author name) and I’m currently a new indie-author. It’s my first time stepping into this engaging industry. I do love to read books from different genres (mostly erotic romance and psychological thrillers).

2. Tell us about your latest project. My latest project is my official debut titled, “One Homecoming.” Unfortunately, it’s not a romance novel (I will write one in the future). It’s a NA Psychological Thriller. If you’ve read any of Gillian Flynn’s novels (preferably “Sharp Objects”) then you’ll have an idea of what you’re about to read! 😉 It’s a personal novel based from a lot of experiences I’ve had growing up. So, it’s pretty dark, twisty, wickedly funny, and deep. It’s about a troubled girl who must return home from school after learning about the death of her estranged mother who happens to carry an emotional baggage of unsettling secrets. The idea came to me when my mother said in a middle of a “debate” we had: “I’ve been on this earth longer than you, so you don’t know me very well.” That became a theme in my book so I had to write about it. My book (or better yet the Kindle Edition) is up for pre-order and will release on April 27, 2015. The paperback version will be up shortly for pre-order as well.

3. What is your favorite book and why? Here’s the problem: I have a lot of favorite books! But if I had to choose just one: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Why? There are some dark moments and important wild themes in that book and I was impressed with how J.K. Rowling executed it. It’s like putting together a puzzle and it makes you think about important items from book 1 to book 6. I like books that make you think hard and well and J.K. Rowling is a genius at that. Even though I love the Harry Potter series, that will be the one book I will read over and over again.

4. What do you like to do when you need a break from writing? Well, I do listen to music to get some inspiration. The lyrics always have been a significant theme in my writing. So when I hit a roadblock and need a break, I just turn on the music. I’m currently listening to Tove Lo for my third book (yes, I have to edit my second completed manuscript J).

5. Where do you usually write? Do you write in silence or with music or other background sounds? It depends on the mood of the story or just me in general if I want to write at the bookstore or not. I like to write in silence when it comes to complicated situations with my characters. When I need imagery, I listen to music to keep me focused as well.

6. Who is your inspiration? What inspired you to become a writer? My third grade teacher is the reason I’m even a writer to begin with. When I was younger, I HATED writing and/or reading a book. I never enjoyed writing book reports. However, she made me pick up that pencil, grab a sheet of paper and force me to write about something inspiring and close to home. Ever since then, that became my main formula: inspiration and close to home. She made me believe that at certain moments, something so personal becomes the central theme in a story. I’m so glad I listened to her because I went to at least 4 Young Authors Conferences after my many stories were selected and I get to talk about what they were about and why I wrote them. My love for writing and reading just grew from then on.

7. What is your least favorite part of being an author? Trying to make a name for yourself by marketing your book is the least enjoyable part of being an author. It’s so hard getting people to notice you, but I do believe when you start at the bottom, you slowly work your way up.

8. What is your favorite part of being an author? My favorite part of being an author is having the ability to tell a good story. Writing is my strength and having a book that you wrote means everything. It’s something that I can add to my legal resume! I’m also a soon-to-be lawyer by day.

9. What is your favorite motivational phrase, and why? “People come into your life for two reasons: a lesson or a blessing.” This has happened to me so much because I wouldn’t be where I am now.

10. Do you have a writing space? Tell us what it’s like. My bedroom is my fortress of solitude. I like privacy in the bedroom because I’m able to express my feelings into words without anyone looking over my shoulder in public. My desk is also serves me justice because that’s where I get all my work done! Call me crazy, but my bedroom is the “intimacy room.” I know it may get people thinking sex, but that’s not necessarily what I’m referring to. I think that when you try to describe your characters feelings and actions, sometimes the bedroom is the place to actually be more descriptive about what they do and/or how they feel. It helps me focus on them more. Like Stephen King advises, write with the door closed.

For more on author M.M. Charles see the links below.

Facebook Author Page: 

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMMCharles/timeline

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/WriterMMCharles

Amazon Author Page: 

http://www.amazon.com/M.M.-Charles/e/B00VTVN5RE/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

If you would like to be featured on Interview with an Author, contact us at amwillard9@gmail.com to request a date.