Meet author Marilyn Turk

Award-winning author Marilyn Turk has written over twenty historical and contemporary novels and novellas laced with suspense and romance. She especially likes writing World War II era books and loves discovering information not widely known for her stories. In addition to fiction, Marilyn is also an annual contributor to Guideposts’ Walking in Grace and other Guideposts anthologies. Marilyn enjoys helping other writers and founded the Blue Lake Christian Writers Conference. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Faith, Hope and Love Christian Writers, AWSA, Word Weavers International, and the United States Lighthouse Society.

Tell us about your newest book.

Secrets of the Desert Rose, is a dual-time novel set in Algiers, North Africa, about three women and how they’re connected through friendship and families. Two of the women discover courage and love while experiencing World War II, while the present-day woman on a quest of her own, discovers a family secret kept by the other two women.

What inspired you to write your story?

First of all, I had a relative who grew up in Algiers and lived there during World War II. I wanted to tell her story while introducing the other two characters into it. I also wanted to explore and share what happened in Algeria during World War II.

What genre do you focus on.

Historical fiction with suspense and romance, because that is what I like to read.

Why do you write?

God keeps giving me stories and has blessed me with an insatiable curiosity for learning about the past.

Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?

Monique, because she’s French, Audrey, because she’s British, and Nicole, because it’s also a French name. I always search for names that were popular during the time of my stories.

What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?

Terribly inconsistent because I have too many other commitments. But I do set a deadline and calculate how many words a day I need to write to reach that deadline, so I strive to achieve that goal each day. I don’t write at a specific time each day, but usually write some in the morning and some in the afternoon, trying to keep my evenings free. However, if I get carried away by the story, I may write at night too.

What is the hardest part of being an author?

I think the hardest part is self-control and motivation. Self-control because it’s so easy to be distracted by other things. Motivation because of self-doubt or negative feedback.

What’s the best part of your author’s life?

The best part is having written, seeing the finished product. I’m always amazed that I actually wrote a book.

What’s one thing your readers should know about you?

I haven’t always wanted to write books. I wanted to write devotions, but while attending writers’ conferences, the idea for a book came to me, then another, then another, etc.

How have you changed or grown as a writer?

I’m not as anxious or worried as I used to be, plus I’ve learned not to rush the process. Basically, I’ve learned to eliminate stress. Finally.

What is your favorite pastime?

Playing tennis and kayaking on peaceful water.

Do you have other books? We’d love to know.

I’ve written twenty novels and novellas, a short story, and a book of devotions.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on another World War II book, this time set at Gibraltar.

Website: www.marilynturk.com

Link to book: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Desert-Rose-Marilyn-Turk/dp/1968792759

Social media links:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.turk.9/