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URL:
marylougeorge.blogspot.com
Contact:
s.l.somerville@hotmail.com
ABOUT MARY LOU
Mary Lou George
lives within driving distance of Toronto where she is
fortunate to have the best of both worlds, the city and the
country. She’s worked in the design studio of a major Art
Museum for over twenty years. The creative atmosphere there
has helped to keep her imagination fertile and her humor
well exercised. In her personal life, she’s surrounded by
family, friends, and an animal or two, or three.
It’s no surprise that her books include four-legged
characters. She comes from a long line of animal lovers and
her home is filled with love and laughter. She believes
there’s a little bit of magic in each of us and working hard
for the happy ending is always worth the journey.
INTERVIEW
Q: Do you have a personal motto?
A: Yes, two actually. The first is no big surprise and serves as
good advice for any one pertaining to anything. “Do unto others
as you would have them do unto you”. And if we think of the
planet as one of the “others” then all that is good in this
world boils down to that one rule.
The second is less grandiose and more personal and that
is – “Be yourself”. Those few words of wisdom from my sixth
grade teacher have never steered me wrong. It’s about honesty…I
like that.
Q: Do you believe in love at first sight?
A: I believe in infatuation at first sight. I think love comes
after your first impression is proven correct and the person is
as compelling on the inside as they are on the outside. Falling
in love is easy it’s the staying in love that’s hard.
Q: Are you a romantic?
A: I think in our technology driven society, romance is
considered indulgent or superfluous. Left brain is valued above
right brain. You can’t be a romantic and be cool. I think that’s
so sad. We separate ourselves from each other too much. Maybe
that makes it easier for us to stay detached, to stop caring. I
love it when people connect, we can change the world that way. I
relish the happy ending and I don’t think that makes me weak or
sappy. It makes me hopeful and I’ve always thought hope was a
good thing. So yes, I am a romantic and proud of it.
Q: Do you consider yourself a feminist?
A: I’d have to say yes, but I think that term is very
misunderstood. One gender isn’t stronger or better than the
other. We’re different and I celebrate that difference. I seek
equality and only when so called feminine traits are as valued
in our society as are masculine traits, will we achieve true
equality. I’m looking forward to that day.
Q: Why did you become a writer?
A: A million things, but if I have to name just one, I’d have to
say that being the third of three girls probably had the most to
do with it. As the youngest, my input wasn’t nearly as
interesting as my sisters’. No one ever came right out and said
anything, but I knew it to be true. So whenever I heard a
comment like, “That’s a nice house” I’d pipe in with “That’s
Tony Bologna’s house.” Or “Tony Bologna has a house like that.”
I’d created an imaginary friend so I could make a contribution
to the conversation. No one in my family ever questioned Tony
Bologna’s existence and they made sure that Tony’s Christmas
gifts always got to me in time. My family encouraged my creative
talents then, just as they do now. Aren’t I lucky?
Q: What was the first romance novel you ever read?
A: I wish I could say Pride and Prejudice and sound impressive,
but I’m afraid I can’t, I didn’t discover Jane Austen until
University. I read Nancy Drew books at an early age and always
loved the parts with suitor, Ned Nickerson. I anxiously prayed
for the day hapless Ned planted a passionate one on Nancy’s
lips. Alas, I was destined to be disappointed. In frustration, I
turned to more promising titles. The first was called The
Twisted Cameo by Katheryn Kimbrough. I was hooked! I still have
that paperback. The cover hangs on by a thread and its spine is
cracked, but its precious contents remain intact. I can remember
the peculiar lump that formed in my throat as the hero kissed
the heroine and the happy tears I shed as I read the last page.
How great is that? Writing is truly a noble profession.
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