Interview with
Judith Marshall
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
When I left my position in Corporate American in 1997, I wanted to write a book that I had in my mind for years about enduring female friendship.
How long does it take you to write a book?
I began writing in 1998 and the book was published in 2009.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
The most surprising things I learned were how difficult editing was and how hard it was to cut words or passages that I originally loved.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I received emails from a few of my readers on my first book, "Husbands May Come and Go but Friends are Forever," and over 65 5-star reviews. The best news was from a Hollywood producer who loved the book and optioned the screen rights. So exciting!
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing is a very difficult task. It can be very exhausting if you let it. It's knowing when to stop or put the manuscript away for a few days or even weeks, and then look at it with fresh eyes.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?
You are a writer when you begin to write, even if you never plan to publish.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
Are there therapeutic benefits to modeling a character after someone you know?
I find it easiest to use traits and quirks of various people you know or have encountered in developing characters.
What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
In my case, characters come first. I start with indepth character descriptions and a general idea for a story. The characters then take the story where they want it to go.
How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
Both my novels seem to resonate more with women between 40 and 80, although I have received Amazon reviews from a few men.
How much research did you need to do for your book?
Tell us more about your book/s?