MARY ANN POLL

Unleashing Your Inner Writer: From Novice to Pro

Every writer starts with excitement, only to discover that talent alone isn’t enough. The best authors become lifelong students of the craft, learning from literary

Ever sat down to write a book, feeling like Shakespeare reincarnated, only to hit a literary brick wall at 10,000 words? Yup, been there, done that! 🙋‍♀️ Whether you’re a fresh-faced writer or a seasoned author, we’ve all faced the wall. But fear not! I’ve got a story and some wisdom to share.

Flashback to my first writing gig: words were flowing like a perfectly poured pint of beer 🍻, and I was lost in a world of my own creation. “This is it; I’m a writer,” I thought. But then, BAM! 10,000 words in, and I hit a wall harder than a clumsy cat running into a glass door. 🐱💥
Now, if I could turn back time (and not just for a Cher karaoke session 🎤), I’d tell myself: “Read, my dear writer, read!” Not just any books, but books on the craft of novel writing, and the masterpieces of legendary authors like Hemingway, Dickens, and Lovecraft.

“But I don’t want to write about old-timey stuff or scary monsters!” you might say. Doesn’t matter! It’s all about learning how to build suspense, create memorable characters, and paint a setting so vivid, readers feel like they’re there, smelling the roses or the gunpowder. 🌹💣
For my fellow published authors looking to jazz up their next masterpiece, let’s not let our first drafts become the literary equivalent of a forgotten left-over pizza in the fridge. 🍕 Dive deep into the nuances of narrative shaping, dialogue that flows like a fine wine, and master the art of making readers think, “Wow, this book is better than my grandma’s secret cookie recipe!” 📚🍪

So, whether you’re a writing newbie or a bookshelf veteran, remember: a writer is always in the making. Grab those books, learn from the legends, and turn that literary brick wall into a door of endless possibilities!

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Mary Ann A Bio

Mary Ann Poll, America’s Lady of Supernatural Thrillers, is the award-winning author of the Ravens Cove series. Born in Texas and shaped by its wide skies and stubborn spirit, Mary Ann called Alaska home for over forty years — and though her boots are back on Texas soil, her heart never left the Last Frontier. That love for both lands breathes through every page — from the sun-baked spirit of Texas to the eerie perpetual light of the Alaskan solstice and the rich traditions of Alaska’s Indigenous peoples.

Her love for a spine-tingling story and her love for Christ come together in her writing. Mary Ann’s own spiritual journey — from a lifelong fascination with the supernatural to a deep and abiding faith — gives her novels their distinctive voice: suspenseful, grounded in real spiritual stakes, and rooted in hope.

When she’s not writing, Mary Ann enjoys gardening, swimming, and time with her beloved family and pets — who have a habit of finding their way into her stories.