Official Interview: Maura Oleary

[kandscreeley]

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. In today's episode of Chat with Sarah, I had the privilege of speaking with Maura Oleary author of When Angels Play Poker.

To view the official review, click here.

To view the book on Amazon, click here.

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1. How did you get started writing?

I started at a young age journaling. Probably way before it was “fashionable”.

It was a great way to start, because it made me very comfortable writing whatever I wanted, including expressing my emotions. I honed in and developed my writing abilities over time through school/college and beyond.

I always was told that someday I’d write a novel…and I DID finally!

2. What does your schedule look like when you're in the middle of a book?

UM that would be “like now”?! I’ve just started my next book, and it’s a total mega balancing act! I work and have life responsibilities overall, thus constantly interrupting the creative process. I am not an early AM person, so getting up to write “Morning pages” is just not on my daily agenda. So what I do is write in “blocks of time”, when I can and cram in as much writing as I can! I did this in June. It was wonderful to get away for a long weekend, and just WRITE. It’s tough to do, but I cherish the time when I can.
Was I productive?? I got 3 chapters done-so I was happy with that.

3. Let's talk about When Angels Play Poker. Where did you get the inspiration for a story about Heaven?

I truly got the inspiration “from above”. I hadn’t been planning to write this book or story. But while I was up in Maine over 5 years ago I started to write out the entire first 4 chapters, out of nowhere! It was amazing and humbling, and definitely a bit scary, since I had never written a full novel before! I only stopped writing because my hand was hurting and went home and wrote a couple of more chapters.

I know now without a doubt that I was divinely guided to write this book and share the message of it with as many people as I can.

4. This is a unique setting. How did you bring it to life, especially since it's a place you probably haven't visited?

A lot of it was visions that I got, and from there creativity around the characters and various areas of heaven, from the greeting area to the cloud beds.

The visions I got were SO beautiful, I hope I did them justice! And I tried to make them believable to help inspire people as well.

5. What are you hoping that readers learn from or walk away with after reading this story?

I hope more than anything that people realize HOW MUCH they are loved from above, every day. And that they are inspired by what goes on in Heaven, and feel the love from this wonderful place.

And for those that are very sick…? That they should not be afraid.

6. Are there more novels in your future?

Absolutely! This is the 1st book of 3 part series! I’m excited to be starting book #2 this summer. Not sure when it will be complete BUT I’ve started it

I like to end on a few more inane questions

7. What's your favorite season?

SPRING

It’s such a beautiful time of year. And when you’re buried in SNOW on the East Coast? You can’t wait for it to arrive!

8. Jeans or pants?

JEANS

[bookowlie]

Thanks Kandscreeley for another interesting interview!