I have a Kindle which I use primarily when we are traveling.

Connections with Indy book stores and readings before book clubs.

A friend of mine once described his desk as a mare's nest. That fits nicely!

I was lucky enough to grow up in a small Southern textile town near the NC/SC border. As a youngster, I was encouraged to read and to perform. Both have served me well as a novelist. My writing career began in my forties. I attained a degree of competence as a free lance magazine writer and newspaper columnist, but was too intimidated by my lack of an English major (I have a bachelors and masters in vocal performance) to try fiction. I didn't tackled the novel until much later when I had accumulated a lifetime of reading, attending writers' groups and workshops, and most important teaching (Southern lit and Henry James, among others). Now I have two novels out and I'm proud of both!

Answered in the preceding question.

Whirlygig: The Dancin' Man's Daughter catches up with the Ward/Brunson clan, originally introduced in my first novel, The Dancin' Man. Ten years have passed and Volly Brunson has come home.

It's a lot less complex and a lot quicker than going through the usual agent/ publisher track. Besides, I was introduced to a wonderful editor who offered to edit my first book. She has given me the kind of help that I have only read about, rereading and re-editing, sticking with me all the way. Her firm has grown and she now offers hubrid publishing advice. Lystra Books id amazing and so is my editor, Nora Esthimer.

Not a lot so far, but I believe the new book, Whirlygig, will make a big difference.

Waiting and watching as characters develop.

I wouldn't exactly call thm fans, but I have been lucky enough to meet some terrific people along the way. Smart women like my books. That's says it all.

A collection of columns written some years ago but quite relevant still.

The list is far too long ... but Walker Percy is way up there.

For the last eight years, the life I am privileged to lead with a husband who understands how important writing is to me.

I'm rarely not writing, even when I'm marketing or traveling or walking or going to the grocery store.

I don't read a lot of ebooks.

No

I sit down at my computer and work.

No.

With the help of a talented designer.

An impossible question! The answer changes every day.

Mysteries

This has been fun, but I need to get back to work. Thanks, Smashwords, for the chance to let your readers know me better. They can learn more at my web site, maryannclaud.com and at my facebook page.