Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to ML Preston. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
ML, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?
The idea of writing was never a foreign concept to me. Since I was in middle school, I always wanted to tell stories or depict the lives of others in a way that would allow those who read them to live vicariously. In fact, my friend and I had produced our own magazine. She was good with the graphic arts side of it and I was responsible for the articles. We went as far as to calling printing companies for price quotes to actually have it published. We were very ambitious in our desires, but being in the sixth grade kind of limited us at that time. But my desire didn’t end there. I kept creating content even if no one else would be able to see it. The feeling of being able to create a story from beginning to end with the emotions and angst and expressions that you may normally not be able to portray in your own story is both therapeutic and exciting at the same time. So, in 2014, I decided to take a leap and step out of the comfort zone and allow the voices in my head to tell their story.
ML, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I was born and raised in Oklahoma City and was always considered the odd ball amongst my family on both sides. I was just different. I wasn’t athletic like some of my older cousins, although I did try. I wasn’t the one to fall into traditional things, like cheerleading, basketball, or superior academics. I was in the band from the fifth to eighth grade and that only ended because I changed schools. After I graduated high school, I began my collegiate track. I consistently changed my major because I honestly didn’t know what I wanted to do. Dreams in high school were proving to be just that, a dream. I no longer wanted to go down that path. With no planned trajectory, I paused on school and started working in the healthcare industry. Even that changed to a customer service path. Add in motherhood and marriage and a lot of things I wanted to do were kind of stifled. Then while at work one day, a friend and I were talking, and she mentioned she wanted to write a book. And there it was. The spark to my inner creative was reignited and I haven’t looked back since. Since our desks were next to each other, we would plot and write while we had free time. For me that turned into after work, on the weekends, anytime there was availability, I was writing. In December 2015, I published my first novel, Unthinkable, and I haven’t looked back since. I’m glad to have finally been able to start something and see it through. Writing stories of steamy romance with a realistic feeling that immerses the reader into the characters’ world is my objective. The response has been great and the catalyst to continue.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
This journey hasn’t been without its share of difficulties. Trust me. I’ve quit more times than I care to count. In my mind at least. While there are a lot of resources available to guide you on the steps to writing, it’s the marketing that is tricky. What works for one is not necessarily the thing that will work for another. That is very important and in the age of social media, things are consistently changing and what worked for one book may not work for another. Having access to the different categories Kindle uses will help you know the best place for your completed book that is ready for publishing. Also having a blueprint of sorts to help you know how to target your audience would be great. And unless you are a creative who can design your own book covers or have pictures you can use without a licensing fee, or a friend that can edit your manuscript for free or next to nothing, money is an absolute need. Being independent isn’t cheap as you may think. You take on all risk and therefore all costs. But you also reap all profits as long as you turn a profit.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Not exactly. With each book, I just hope to continue to grow in all aspects. Creatively, my fan base, and of course financially. These things keep me motivated to continue because each time, I do see growth and it excites me. Plus, I have a really good support core group of friends who help me stay accountable. Daily check-ins, plotting sessions, feedback on raw manuscripts, just a lot of support to help achieve those goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mlpreston.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/author_ml_preston
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/PrestonML
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/ml_preston
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@authormlpreston http://bit.ly/MLPreston https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14437880.ML_Preston