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Ambrose to speak at Friends of Pine Island Library meeting

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Local author Marty Ambrose will speak at The Friends of the Pine Island Library meeting Wednesday, Feb. 12, at noon, 1at the Pine Island Elks, 5630 Pine Island Road, Bokeelia.

The Mango Bay series took root after Ambrose and her husband, Jim McLaughlin, moved to Pine Island.

“There was something about the atmosphere that touched a creative thread in me for mystery,” Ambrose said of an epiphany that came over her in the Mallie Montgomery Boutique dressing room (since closed). “The entire series came to me in a rush, and I had to sit on the floor and start writing.”

After writing the first three books in the series, she met literary agent Roberta Brown at a conference, and they developed a productive relationship.

“When I write a book, I always know Roberta is going to be in my corner, promoting my work,” she said.

“I generally have the idea of the entire book in my head, and I outline the plot and characters (plot is very important in mystery writing),” Ambrose said of her writing process. “Then, I write the first 100 pages and see what happens. Sometimes characters come into the book that I don’t anticipate or the plot goes in another direction and I leave myself room for that kind of creative energy.

“In my second book, ‘Island Intrigue,’ Madame Geri the island’s freelance psychic came into the book and took on a larger role than I thought,” she continued. “And at the end of ‘Killer Kool,’ something happened that I didn’t anticipate until I wrote the words. I like it when my own book surprises me. I share my first 100 pages with my editing partner and longtime friend, Tina Wainscott, who writes for Avon; and I share with my mother who is an avid reader of everything. They are both wonderful. Then, I revise the book in thirds probably 5-6 more times. Truly, there is no good writing, only good revision.”

Make lunch reservations by Feb. 10 by calling our Joy Veatch at 239-821-3942 or email – joyveatch@gmail.com. The cost $12 (includes drink). Lunch will be provided by Little Lily’s Deli; There will be a charge of $5 for those attending who brown bag or come only for the author’s presentation.