Author Interview: M. Lori Motley

Today, I spoke with M. Lori Motley, whose stories will appear in the upcoming anthology, Elements of the Soul.


Jennifer Walker: Tell me about the work you have in Elements of the Soul. What is it about, and what inspired it?

M. Lori Motley: I have two stories in EoS: Flood of Tears and Summer Heat. The themes were really the only thing that inspired me. The stories aren't based on my life or anything like that. For the second one, I had a dream about a puppy mill and knew I had to include one in a story. It worked its way casually into Summer Heat.


Jennifer Walker: Did you have any misgivings about entering the contest? How did you get over them?

M. Lori Motley: I'm naturally reticent about sharing my writing: a result of low self-esteem most likely. However, entering the contests on Michy's board didn't seem too traumatizing to me. It's easier to enter a contest when everyone is rooting for everyone else instead of fiercely competing.


Jennifer Walker: Have you entered any more contests since the one that got you into the book? Do you plan to enter any more?

M. Lori Motley: I've entered almost every Accentuate Anthology contest since the first one, but no others.


Jennifer Walker: How have the Accentuate Writers Anthology contests helped you grow as a writer?

M. Lori Motley: It gave me quite a bit of confidence. I'm beginning to branch out into other contests and submitting to mags and ezines.


Jennifer Walker: Tell me about other writing projects you have going, unrelated to the contests.

M. Lori Motley: Oh boy. I'm trying very hard to finish one novel before the end of the year. I tried to pick what I thought would be the most marketable out of the six novel projects I have going. When I get stuck or bored with that one, I go over to one of the others. I'm working on about four pieces of flash and short fiction for other contests right now as well.


Jennifer Walker: Is writing your full time job, or do you have a "day job"?

M. Lori Motley: I don't work outside my home. I'm self-employed full time with freelance writing and web design, development and operations.


Jennifer Walker: To what do you attribute your success as a writer so far?

M. Lori Motley: Natural talent, I suppose. I've always been a decent writer. I hope that doesn't sound arrogant. A heck of a lot of practice helps as well. Perseverance helps.


Jennifer Walker: Tell me about your family. Are they supportive of your writing?

M. Lori Motley: My Mom is supremely supportive. She always asks what I'm working on next. My sisters are as well.


Jennifer Walker: What was the last movie you saw?

M. Lori Motley: In the theaters it was Kung Fu Panda with my eldest son. The last movie on TV was an oldie called "Cuba" with Sean Connery. It wasn't all that great. I'm not really a big movie watcher.


Jennifer Walker: Tell me one thing about yourself that you think most people don't know.

M. Lori Motley: Hmm. There are probably tons of things about me that most people don't know. I'm "addicted" to computer games. There's one I can share. I'm extremely busy and get all my work done, but I play computer games more than what is good for me.